Obama: ‘I Made Bad Choices, I Got High’

Obama: I Got High... (YouTube)

"So as Christian mentioned, during my visit, they're in a circle and I sat down in the circle, and we went around, led by their counselor, and guys talked about their lives, talked about their stories. They talked about what they were struggling with, and how they were trying to do the right thing, and how sometimes they didn't always do the right thing. And when it was my turn, I explained to them that when I was their age I was a lot like them. I didn't have a dad in the house. And I was angry about it, even though I didn't necessarily realize it at the time. I made bad choices. I got high without always thinking about the harm that it could do. I didn't always take school as seriously as I should have. I made excuses. Sometimes I sold myself short. And I remember when I was saying this — Christian, you may remember this — after I was finished, the guy sitting next to me said, "Are you talking about you?" (Laughter.) I said, yes."