- According to the Center for Disease Control, on average teen boys first try alcohol at age 11, and the average age that teen girls first try alcohol is 13.
- The CDC also reports that in 2010, about 189,000 teens visited the emergency room for injuries or conditions related to alcohol use.
- According to National Institute on Drug Abuse's 2012 Monitoring the Future study, approximately 6.5% of 8th graders, 17% of 10th graders, and 22.9% of 12th graders had used marijuana in the month prior to the survey. Since 2007 marijuana use has increased.
- The NIDA reports that each day in the US, about 2,000 teenagers try prescription drugs without a doctor's prescription for the first time.
- Visit Drugabuse.gov for more facts, statistics, and information.
When I present lessons on drug and alcohol use I typically start with a true/false activity to share these statistics and frame the lesson. I provide the rationale that while we do not think any of our students are using drugs or alcohol, we know that this is a problem in our community and country and we want to educate students to make healthy choices. I also tell students that these statistics show that many people, even in our classroom, may be impacted by drugs or alcohol and it is extremely important to show respect when talking about this sensitive topic, because you never know the experience of the person sitting next to you.
Drug Free World offers The Truth About Drugs Education Package for free! The Ads on the website are a great way to start the conversation and have students identify why people use drugs and the effects of substance use and abuse. These videos are far more informative than the Rachel Leigh Cook "This is your Brain on Drugs" commercial from my teen years!
After students learn about why people use drugs and the effects, they can make their own posters that address the reasons people use drugs and promote alternative, safe, and healthy behaviors.
To encourage participating in this lesson, I like to give out bookmarks or comic books. Students love getting giveaways and this also provides them with additional resources. You can order freebies from Elks Kids Zone, which is another great resource!
I also want to make sure that every student feels safe asking questions is able to have their questions answered. I pass out note cards or post it notes and have every student write their name and a question they have. If they do not have a question, they are directed to write, "I do not have a question." That way, all students are writing and when I review questions whole group, the questioner can remain anonymous. This is a great tool to use in various lessons on sensitive topics.
Drug Free World offers The Truth About Drugs Education Package for free! The Ads on the website are a great way to start the conversation and have students identify why people use drugs and the effects of substance use and abuse. These videos are far more informative than the Rachel Leigh Cook "This is your Brain on Drugs" commercial from my teen years!
After students learn about why people use drugs and the effects, they can make their own posters that address the reasons people use drugs and promote alternative, safe, and healthy behaviors.
To encourage participating in this lesson, I like to give out bookmarks or comic books. Students love getting giveaways and this also provides them with additional resources. You can order freebies from Elks Kids Zone, which is another great resource!
I also want to make sure that every student feels safe asking questions is able to have their questions answered. I pass out note cards or post it notes and have every student write their name and a question they have. If they do not have a question, they are directed to write, "I do not have a question." That way, all students are writing and when I review questions whole group, the questioner can remain anonymous. This is a great tool to use in various lessons on sensitive topics.
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