Rhia Elizabeth Greif knew what it was like to sit where the San Pedro High School students were sitting. Years earlier, she had repeated fourth form at the school after failing the year at Saint Catherine’s Academy in Belize City, a setback she attributed to drinking and smoking marijuana. She was invited as a guest speaker during SPSH’s Drug Awareness Week to tell students what happened after that, and how she found her way to recovery.
Held under the theme “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free,” the week encouraged students to make healthy, responsible choices. Greif brought that message home by sharing how easily she once brushed off the choices she was making.
“One day what you think is just a little fun, a little experiment, or just something everyone is doing could become the very thing that takes away the life you haven’t even had a chance to live yet,” she told students.
Greif recalled how what began with drinking and marijuana eventually escalated to cocaine and heroin use. She spoke about surviving sexual assault, going through rehabilitation more than once and nearly losing her life. When she stood before the students, she told them she was eight years into recovery and credited her faith in God as part of her healing.
Her message was also for students who might already be struggling with substance use, depression, abuse or problems at home. “You are not alone,” she told them. “It’s never too late to walk away or ask for help.”
Greif told students she was standing with them. She described herself as “living proof that it doesn’t have to be where your story ends.” And for anyone who’s felt the pressure to go along with friends, she put it in terms students could take with them after the assembly. “Being able to say no when everyone else is saying yes will be your biggest flex!”
As Drug Awareness Week came to a close, San Pedro High School thanked its Counseling Department for organizing the activities and the invited guests and presenters for sharing their experiences and encouragement. The school left its SPHS Sharks with a reminder that echoed Greif’s message throughout her talk. The choices they make today can shape the future they want for themselves.
Rhia Greif Talks to San Pedro High
Guest Speaker Rhia Elizabeth Greif, Drug Awareness Speech SPH
“One Day what you think is just a Little fun, a little experiment, or just something everyone is doing could become the very thing that takes away the life you haven’t even had a chance to live yet!
I want you all to really think about that for a moment. I am not standing here today to judge you, lecture you , or tell you how to live your lives. I want you all to understand this: Substance abuse is real, date rape drugs are real, addiction is real and losing your life to taking a simple weed gummy is VERY real. Drugs DO NOT CARE how popular you are, how intelligent you are, or what dreams you have. In the United States alone, 313 teens died of drug overdoses in 2025. Approximately 1 teenager dies every 29 hours of a drug overdose. In Belize NDACC found that teens aged 10-19 accounted for 45% of the reported substance abuse. These are not just numbers. Behind every number is someone just like you, with a family and a future.
Guys I didn’t just come here blindly today! I know this because I lived it. I went to Saint Catherine’s Academy in Belize city and Failed my 4th form year because I was drinking smoking weed. I repeated my 4th form year right here at San Pedro High! I was once in your seats in this high school, experimenting, using drugs, drinking and making decisions without thinking of the consequences. It started with drinking, then weed, gummies, Molly and eventually progressed to cocaine and Heroin. What I thought was “experimentation”, turned into a living hell. Because of drugs I was sexually assaulted, almost landed myself in jail many times, and have been to more than 2 rehabs. I almost lost my life! Drugs can only lead you to 3 places guys and that is jails, institutions or Death.
But today I stand here tall, 8 years clean sharing a part of my story with you all because I found a way out. I found God and Healing. Today maybe some of you are struggling with drug addiction, depression, sexual abuse, or problems at home. YOU ARE NOT ALONE ! It’s never too late to walk away or ask for help. I want you all to leave here today remembering this:
Do not trade your future for a temporary high or feeling. Don’t let a moment of curiosity become a lifetime of regret. You have dreams to chase and people who love you. I am not standing here today as an example of where drugs can take you. No ! I am standing “with” you crying out that I’m living proof that it doesn’t have to be where your story ends. Being able to say no when everyone else is saying yes will be your BIGGEST FLEX!”
