Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

4th-5th Grade Counseling LessonOctober 2014

WILF

• Identify the dos and don’ts of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

• Define the term peer pressure.• Distinguish between good and bad peer

pressure and spoken and unspoken peer pressure.

• Develop strategies for dealing with negative peer pressure in order to make safe, healthy choices.

It is ok tosmoke cigarettes.

Discuss the statement below with your group and choose one of the following options:• True• False• It Depends

It is ok to drink alcoholic beverages such as beer and

wine.

Discuss the statement below with your group and choose one of the following options:• True• False• It Depends

It is ok to drink sodas and tea that contain caffeine.

Discuss the statement below with your group and choose one of the following options:• True• False• It Depends

It is ok to take over-the-counter and prescription

medications.

Discuss the statement below with your group and choose one of the following options:• True• False• It Depends

Marijuana, Cocaine, and Meth are illegal drugs.

Discuss the statement below with your group and choose one of the following options:• True• False• It Depends

What is Peer Pressure?

• Pressure is the feeling that you are being pushed toward making a certain choice—good or bad.

• A peer is someone in your own age group.• Peer pressure is—you guessed it—the feeling

that someone your own age is pushing you toward making a certain choice, good or bad.

Taken from http://www.thecoolspot.gov/pressures.asp

Why Peer Pressure Works

Everyone gives in to pressure at one time or another, but why do people sometimes do things that they really don’t want to do? Here are a few reasons. They…• are afraid of being rejected by others• want to be liked and don’t want to lose a friend• want to appear grown up• don’t want to be made fun of• don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings• aren’t sure of what they really want• don’t know how to get out of the situation

Taken from http://www.thecoolspot.gov/peer_pressure2.asp

How to Deal with Peer Pressure

• Say no assertively• Suggest something else

to do• Stand up for others• Walk away from the

situation• Find something else to

do with other friends

Taken from http://www.thecoolspot.gov/right2.asp

Peer Pressure Can Be Good, too!

• Peer pressure isn’t all bad. You and your friends can pressure each other into some things that will improve your health and social life and make you feel good about your decisions.

• Here are some good things friends can pressure each other to do:– Be honest– Be nice– Respect others– Work hard in school– Make good decisions

Taken from http://www.thecoolspot.gov/peer_pressure6.asp

What Would You Do? Activity

1. Read the “What If” scenario on your group’s card.

2. Talk to your group about the questions. You MAY NOT agree on the answer to the questions and that’s OK! Remember to respect everyone’s thoughts.

3. When the bell rings, pass your card to the next group.

Leaders Say NO to Bad Peer Pressure

References

The Cool Spot

www.thecoolspot.gov

Child and Youth Health

www.cyh.com