In the Substance Abuse Prevention Module, participants see how the social pressure associated with using drugs and alcohol distracts them from achieving their goals, disrupts their lives and the lives of those around them, and ultimately proves to be self-destructive. Participants also develop an awareness of why people abuse alcohol and drugs and identify the mental, physical, and emotional health implications. The fear and loneliness of experiencing new situations and emotions can be so overwhelming that without family and community support, drugs and alcohol seem like sources of relief. If young adults feel badly about themselves, or life in general, they may turn to drugs for a quick fix to their problems. Here the participants learn that drugs and alcohol only make their problems worse.
The media, however, helps to celebrate artists who have a deleterious effect on the lives of young adults. For example, one of the top 40 singles of 2001 was Afroman’s "Because I Got High," a hip-hop anthem making light of the detrimental effects of marijuana. It’s this perspective and the behavior of teen idols like gangsta rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg, who was arrested for possession last year during his Puff Puff Pass tour, that encourages adolescents to embrace drugs and alcohol as a fun way to party, be creative, and blow off steam.
Using their critical thinking skills, participants compare the real effects of alcohol and drugs with the inaccurate messages they get from billboards and print media. No one wants to be a marketing victim and we’ve found kids really respond to analyzing the falsehoods presented to them in advertising.
For those teenagers already experiencing difficulties around their addictions, this module provides a directory of 12-step programs and support options and information about rehabilitation and treatment programs.
There’s no shame in having a problem with alcohol or drugs. The shame is NOT doing something about it.
Sample Curriculum Guide This sample helps a teacher to prepare and begin teaching the Substance Abuse Prevention module.
Sample Instructor Notes include Objectives, Instructional Procedures, Assessments, Rubrics, and more - everything that is needed to prepare and teach each activity within the module.
Develop an awareness of how environmental influences and messages in the media encourage drug use
Understand and personalize the progression of substance use and abuse
Understand the physical, emotional and psychological effects of drugs and alcohol Understand the connection between drug use, violence and other risky behaviors
Understand the relationship between daily attitudes and actions and achieving one’s future goals
Learn coping skills to refuse explicit drug offers and to protect oneself in drug-related situations
Learn about resources for how to stay drug-free and get help for drug addiction and alcoholism
Learn to channel energy into positive outlets as a substitute for drug use
