SGHS MENTORS 8 th Grade Refusal Skills Presentation

Introduction of Mentors

Purpose of Today Help you understand stress and addiction for yourself and the people you love! Help you practice how to say NO! Show you a better way to spend your time in HS than using and abusing drugs and alcohol!

Drug Use and Abuse Questions Why do young people use Drugs and Alcohol? Why does experimentation escalate to addiction? How can you prevent abuse and addiction?

Cycle of Addiction  A young person is feeling pain and discomfort due to family or school problems  They start looking for way to feel better and use drugs  At first they seem to work because they dull the pain a person is trying to escape from, so the person keeps taking the drug  From this point, it often doesn’t take long for the person to become addicted because he or she has developed a physical dependence-an addiction-to the substance. Now the person can only think getting more of the drug to function.  At this stage, a serious downward spiral begins. The person will sacrifice anything-family, friends, school, and work.

Stressors What are stressors? People can avoid drug and alcohol abuse and addiction if they recognize their stressors and learn to handle them.  What are stressors for 8 th grade students?  How do you handle Stressors?  Power of positive thinking

Refusal Skills Why is it hard saying no to your friends? Ideas for saying NO!  Say no over and over  Say no and leave  Change the subject  Ignore the person and walk away  Suggest an alternative.  Suggest they do it alone.  Say you’re not allowed.  Give a reason why you can’t.  Give a reason why it’s a dumb idea.  Go hang out with someone else. Sometimes situations involve people not taking no for an answer…How would you handle that? Read more at Suite101: Peer Pressure Lesson Plan: Helpings Kids Learn Refusal Skills | Suite101.com pressure-lesson-plan-a33197#ixzz1aU4pRaVtPeer Pressure Lesson Plan: Helpings Kids Learn Refusal Skills | Suite101.comhttp://susan-carney.suite101.com/peer- pressure-lesson-plan-a33197#ixzz1aU4pRaVt

Role Play Scenario A few of your friends are gathering at a friend’s house. You discover that one of your friends has brought some beer. Your friend offers you one. First of all, you know you shouldn’t have any because it is illegal for people under the age of 21 to drink alcohol. Secondly, you realize that people do things they wouldn’t usually do when they drink. You do not want to drink and do not want to stay with your friends if they are drinking Mentors Role Play Students Suggest other responses 12/GR_9-12-HIV_13_layout.pdf

Role Play Follow Up Tell the person what you’ve decided and, if you want to, tell why. Make a specific request. If the person says “no,” you could ask why or accept the answer and leave the situation Restate the decision. Try another way to solve the problem, but do not change your decision. Restate your decision and, if you choose, leave the door open. Leave the situation.

More tips for risky behaviors Say “no” without laughing, looking away, or making excuses. Say “no” repeatedly. Restate “no” with increasing intensity by stating how you feel and describing the consequences. Suggest another activity that is realistic and appealing. Suggest another activity that gets you out of the situation. Move; leave the situation. 12/GR_9-12-HIV_13_layout.pdf

Student Role Play I want to give you a chance to practice your effective refusal skills. One person will role play the refuser, and the other will role play the pressurer. However, I don’t want those of you who will be role playing the pressurer to practice pressuring someone into something wrong or illegal. So, we will practice with a situation that doesn’t involve a wrong or illegal act. Your friend wants you to go to a movie with him or her that night. You have a big test tomorrow and need to study. You will refuse to go using effective nonverbal and verbal refusal skills. Take a minute to think about what you might say. Person “A” will be the pressurer first, with person “B” refusing to go. HIV_13_layout.pdf

People who can cope without drugs Characteristics  They are involved with people  They find satisfaction in outside interests  They are able to talk about their feelings in order to ease the pain  Positive self-image People that can help  Family  Administrators  Counselors  Teachers  Coaches  Friends School Spirit and Video