1. 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.

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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”

14. 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!

15. 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!

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

17. 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.”

18. References
Alcohol-Drug Education Services Helping Keep Kids Drug Free -
City of Surrey Crime Reduction Strategy- Substance Use Awareness Week, Cool Refusal Skills -
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Sex?-A Healthy Sexuality Resource – Government of Nova Scotia-
Wikipedia