S OCIAL N ORMS 7 th Grade Choices

R ECAP … Yesterday we learned that making health choices improves your health and longevity.

Most teens are making healthy lifestyle choices.

Q UESTION ? What percentage of high school students do you think have ever used marijuana?

A NSWER … 38% if high school students have used marijuana

Current research suggests that when students believe that most of their peers are engaging in a RISKY behavior, they are more likely to do so themselves. When students believe that they are in the majority with respect to positive health attitudes and behaviors, they will continue to engage in those health enhancing behaviors.

Very often students overestimate the social norm (ie. Everyone smokes or everyone gets drunk on the weekends). Today we will participate in activities that will help students to correct such mistake beliefs so that students can see that in many cases… POSTIVE, HEALTHY BEHAVIORS ARE THE NORM!!

S MALL G ROUP A CTIVITY You have 10 minutes to estimate the number of 8 th graders in the U.S. who drank alcohol, smoked cigarettes, used marijuana, or used illegal drugs in the last 30 days.

S URVEY R ESULTS Drugs used in the last 30 days by 8 th graders Drank Alcohol26% 22%19%16% Did NOT Drink Alcohol74% 78%81%84% Smoked Cigarette16%21%15%9%7% Did NOT Smoke Cigarette 84%79%85%91%93% Used Marijuana4%11%9%6% Did NOT use Marijuana96%89%91%94% Used Another Illegal Drug 5%7%6%4% Did NOT use Another Illegal Drug 95%93%94%96%

As you can see from the survey results, MOST YOUTH are making healthy choices and avoiding risky behavior.

G ROUP A CTIVITY In your small groups you will need to create a poster to encourage students to engage in healthier behaviors.