Take A Stand

TOPIC: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

CONCEPT: Often students make choices about the use of Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug without thinking about the consequences. When alcohol and other drugs are in your system you can not think as clearly, your judgment is impaired and you might do something you wouldn't do if you hadn't been under the influence. Even if you aren't under the influence, teenagers are often in situations that require a quick decision, therefore, it is important to know where you stand prior to being placed in a difficult situation. Many youth are drawn into destructive activities based on a group decision.

GRADE LEVEL: High School

ACTIVITY: Before the activity draw three long lines on the board or butcher paper. At one end of the line write the words "everything is okay" and at the other end of the line write the words "a healthy lifestyle is best". There should be many points between the ends. Each student should assess where they stand on the continuum regarding the following questions. Go around the room and ask each student where they stand on a issue. Have students write their names on the line without explaining.

• How far would you go to be popular?

• How much peer pressure do you feel?

• How do you feel about drinking?

DISCUSSION: Facilitate a discussion utilizing the following questions. Help the students realize the impact of their choices on their lives. Lead a discussion of each question getting class volunteers to tell why they decided to put their names in a particular place.

Discussion ideas:

• Would you want to be friends with someone who feels that everything is okay? Why or why not?

• How easy was it to make a decision about where you stood?

• What would have made it easier to make a decision?

• Do you think making an early decision about peer pressure makes it easier to resist? Why or why not?

• What are some of the strategies you have used to avoid negative peer pressure?

• What have you done to use peer pressure in a positive way?

• How can the use of alcohol cause stress in a person's life?

• Would you want to get in the car with someone who had been drinking alcohol? Explain.

• What are some of the consequences of under age drinking?

• What impact could drinking have on your future goals? Explain.