Refusal Skills and THE Right to Say “No” Developed by Saint John Area Public Health Sexual Health Program 2015. Created for teaching purposes only. Do not reproduce without permission.

Refusal Skills What are Refusal Skills? Why do we need to learn about refusal skills?

Refusal Skills “NO” to risky behaviors. Respect Refusal skills are ways to say “NO” to risky behaviors. Respect

Refusal Skills Refusal skills help students to resist peer pressure and to maintain their self-respect at the same. Refusal skills can be used in different situations such as crime involvement , drug and alcohol use, sexual activity and violence. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Refusal Skills / Peer Pressure Refusal skills can also be used in peer pressure situations Adolescents are very sensitive to peer pressure Teens do not want peers to make fun of or ridicule them

Peer Pressure Peer pressure can be difficult for some students to resist Why do you think this is?

Peer Pressure Students … friends - want to be liked and don’t want to lose their friends - may be afraid of rejection by peers - do not want to hurt others’ feelings - do not know how to leave certain situations - are not sure of what they really want

Peer Pressure Saying “no” can sometimes be hard, easier with practice If you know you are going to be some place where you might be in a difficult position to “say yes”, plan ahead. - practice refusal answers - prepare a reliable /honest response - stay firm with your response

Quote from teens: “Be yourself. Don’t do anything you don’t want to do.”

Refusal Skills Techniques Some ways that work… Refuse – “Don’t feel like it.” “No way.” Make an excuse – “I’ll barf.” “I have to get up in the morning.” Recruit an ally to help change the dynamics. Reproduced with permission from The Alcohol-Drug Education Service Helping Keep Kids Drug Free

Refusal Skills Techniques Blame your parents – “My Mom can smell this stuff a mile away and I’ll get grounded for months.” Come up with a better idea – “Nah, that doesn’t sound like much fun. Let’s go play video games at my house instead.” Leave – either quietly while no one notices or by making an excuse or joke out of it. “You guys are too crazy for me ...see you later.” Reproduced with permission from The Alcohol-Drug Education Service Helping Keep Kids Drug Free

Refusal Skills Techniques More ways to refuse … “I’ll pass but it’s fine with me if you go ahead.” “I’m just not into it.” “Thanks but don’t want to put anything in my body.” “No thanks, I don’t believe in doing drugs/drinking.” “I don’t need to drink /do drugs to have fun.” OR Just say “No” with confidence! Reproduced with permission from www.surrey.ca/crimereduction

Other Strategies Find another person who does not want to be involved in those behaviours- strength in numbers Choose friends who do not pressure you Talk to your friend/friends about their behaviours and your concerns Know your reasons for saying “NO”

Refusal Skills Whatever you do, speak firmly. Let your friends know that your mind is made up and you will not talk about it any more. Encourage others to choose healthful and responsible behaviors!

Right to Say “NO” You have a right to say “NO” at any time! You are the one who needs to decide what makes you feel happy and comfortable doing You deserve to be liked and respected for more than your willingness to participate in any behaviors you do not want to You have a right to say “NO” at any time!

Refusal Skills Best answer for any type of pressure is... “Good-bye!”

Quotes Quote by Dr. Suess: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

References Alcohol-Drug Education Services Helping Keep Kids Drug Free - www.ades.bc.ca/about_prevention/refusal_skills.htm City of Surrey Crime Reduction Strategy- Substance Use Awareness Week, Cool Refusal Skills -www.surrey.ca/crimereduction Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Sex?-A Healthy Sexuality Resource – Government of Nova Scotia- http://novascotia.ca/dhw/healthy-development/documents/11032_SexBook_En.pdf Wikipedia