It takes a lot of nerve for Meg Henderson Wade to talk about what she's been through, but she'll do it to save lives.

She and her husband's battle with drug addiction have two very different endings.

Wade, 48, was the featured speaker at the ninth annual Youth Doing Awesome Things Lock-In.

The event, held overnight on a recent weekend at Kempsville Recreation Center, included educational workshops by teens in Youth Leaders in Action.

About 140 middle school students from Virginia Beach City Public Schools had some fun with recreational activities along with the night's serious message.

This year's theme, "True Life," focused on drugs, Alcohol, depression/suicide, tobacco, peer pressure, bullying, self-defense and positive decisions.

Despite a recent tragedy, Wade wanted to donate her time and share her true-life experiences.

"I never had any children and want to give back to others," said Wade, a member of the Youth Community Action Team.

That desire became even clearer to Wade after her ex-husband, a 21-year Navy veteran and GS-12, died from a drug overdose in March. She formed Meg Speaks to present antidrug messages in a motivational style forum.

"We were the average middle class couple. We looked like Barbie and Ken," she said to the theater filled with 11- through 14-year-olds.

"We lost everything because of drugs - our house, our furniture - but those are only things. I'm still here today." Wade sought help with her addiction and has been clean since July 2006.

"You need to know what these things are and what they can do to you, how they can affect you and your life," said Wade, admitting she should've known better but stressing that anyone can fall victim.

Participants remained quiet and attentive as Wade spoke.

She tossed Life Saver candies to the audience and said, "We all need a lifesaver, whether it's your family, friends, books, church, journal, teachers, pets, etc."

Wade, whose day job is book promotions and sales for Barnes & Noble, is used to motivating an audience but not talking about her own drug addiction.

A dance contest with prizes shook things up a little.

"We had a lot of fun," Wade said "You can do that without drugs and alcohol."

Breydon Dorsey, a sixth-grader at Kempsville Middle School, saw that drug addiction can affect anyone.

"You just need to walk away," said Breydon, 12. "It's not worth it."