A NEW APPROACH TO PREVENTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE

 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION:  PROACTIVE TRAINING

HOW TO SAY NO TO WHAT I CALL THE “DREAM-KILLERS”

 

Kathy Hogan, Quincy, Mass.

kathydulleahogan@aol.com

 

PROPOSAL:     Teach kids how they can say no to drink and/or drugs with conviction and confidence.  Drink and drugs can be dream-killers.

ANALOGIES:  

DRIVING           We learn to drive by taking lessons to drive safely, studying rules of the road, and taking a driving test before being issued a license to drive a potentially dangerous vehicle.  However, drink and drugs are dangerous, yet young people are not given the same kind of preparation. 

PLAYING TEAM SPORTS        Sports teams consist of offense and defense.  Defensive players are trained to play defense.  However, we do not train kids to play defense when it comes to dealing with this offense:  an offense in which drink and/or drugs are offered.

RATIONALE: In childhood kids do things that excite them, that make them happy, or that they simply enjoy – yet drink or drugs are not part of this.  Later on, when young people are invited to try drink or drugs, they’re often persuaded it will make them feel good.   Remind kids they already know how to find pleasure in life in a natural way.   Train them so they have something to draw upon – experience saying ‘no’ and a response in which they have conviction – when faced with persuasion.  Other reasons to say no can be explored such as the undesirable prospect of being kicked off their sports team.  

NOTE:    How well this will work with children from abusive families, with mental health problems, or with parents who have substance abuse problems themselves is not clear.     By itself this might not be a cure-all, but it is worth trying,  if for no other reason than to keep the good times in the forefront of their minds.  At its best, it could be the saving grace.

PROCEDURE STAGES:

First:                   Brainstorm things that as a child you enjoy, excite you, make you happy, or just bring you contentment.

Second:             Brainstorm things someone may say to you to get you to try a drink or drug.

Third:                 Keep in mind that you have had experiences that bring you pleasure, and brainstorm responses you can use to say no.  Explore various reasons.  Be aware that bullying reactions can follow as well as peer pressure; prepare the children for this, too.

Fourth:              Role play in pairs, the first person acting as the person offering something, the second person as the one being offered something.  Then take turns and reverse roles.

Fifth:                   Members of the whole group share with each other.

TO FOLLOW:                                Lesson Plans/Training Plans for each stage