Friday, March 22, 2013

School Activities On Drugs

Educating students on drugs should be more than just talking.


In order to make safe decisions, students must be educated on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Although talking to students about drugs and alcohol is beneficial, it likely doesn't grab their interest as much as hands-on activities might. Educating students on drugs and alcohol may be exactly what they need to get the facts and avoid the pressures of trying illegal drugs.


Red Ribbon Week


In 1985, on the way to meet his wife for lunch, Enrique Camarena was kidnapped and murdered after investigating Mexican drug traffickers. Today, millions of people all over the world remember him and vow to live drug-free lives during "Red Ribbon Week" in the last week of October. Red ribbons are worn to stand up against the illegal use of drugs. In order to participate in this event, students may wear ribbons to school, release red balloons to commemorate Camarena's efforts, hold a mini-parade throughout the school protesting drugs or wear red. The school may also opt for special themed days such as "Drugs Don't Have a Hold on Me" day where students march in front of their school holding hands, a "No Drugs is No Sweat" day where students wear workout gear or a "Block Out Drugs" day where students are encouraged to wear sunglasses.


Anti-Drug Band


After dividing students into groups of three to five, assign each group a specific drug (i.e., LSD, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, prescription pills, heroin, Salvia, peyote). Students will then be asked to research the drug including its appearance, how it affects the mind and body, street names for the drug, laws against the drug and help to get off of the drug. With the information, students will then create an anti-drug song based on that drug. They may decide on the genre as a group. Tunes that they are already familiar with may be used or they may create their own beat. Lyrics must be 100% original and decided by everyone in the group. Finally, students should choose a band name and create an album cover for their anti-drug message. To complete the assignment, students must perform their song. After each song, students are encouraged to write something they learned from the group's song.


Cookie Pressure


Choose volunteers from the classroom and bring them in front of the class, then seat them around the table. Place a plate of cookies in the center of the table. Pass out instructions to each volunteer and explain that no one should see another volunteer's directions. Three of the volunteers will have directions telling them to eat a cookie and the attempt to convince everyone else to have one. Another volunteer will have instructions directing him to eat a cookie after three minutes. Finally, the last volunteer will be directed NOT to eat a cookie at all. After seven minutes, ask the volunteer who was told not to eat a cookie how it felt to be pressured into doing something he was not supposed to do. Ask the student who ate the cookie after three minutes how it felt to feel pressured. The volunteer who did not eat a cookie should be asked how he felt when the other volunteer gave in. Ask the others how it felt to persuade others. This activity is designed to show both the dangers of peer pressure and our ability to make our own decisions.


Squaring Up Against Drugs


To show students that it is important to support each other and depend on each other instead of depending on drugs, this activity requires problem solving and discussing with each other the best way to work out a problem. Divide the class into groups and blindfold each student after explaining what's going to be done. Each group takes a rope and must create a square with it. Each member of the group should hold a corner of the square when the project is complete. In order to do this, students will not be able to see, but they will be able to talk each other through it and support each other when they become frustrated. When they say they are finished, the instructor may ask them to remove their blindfolds. Each group will then discuss hardships they faced and how they got through it by talking to each other. Even if the groups don't end up making a square, it is important to talk about the positive things that occurred, such as communication and encouraging words.









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