Teaching children conflict management skills (because conflict resolution is not always possible), modeling how to ask for help, teaching multiple strategies to learn, focusing on the positive strengths and skills each child has and modeling how to be sensitive to others through identifying facial expressions, body language, respect for other’s feelings, and most importantly, how to say no and feel okay with it, are all essential components of refusal skill building.

I have worked with young people for many years who struggled with addictions, either their own or that of others, and I have learned the following from them:

They began to feel unsuccessful in school about fourth grade;

They had difficulty accepting responsibility for their own choices and behaviors, blaming someone else regularly;

They had difficulty reading and understanding how to do what was asked of them and were afraid to ask for help for fear of being labeled “stupid”. For many youth, it was easier to be thought of as naughty or badly behaved rather than stupid;

They described a short attention span, becoming “bored” quite easily;

They felt no one recognized the good things they did, and focused only on the negative;

They had difficulty making friends with others their own age, and lacked understanding or awareness of visual or verbal cues indicating that their behaviors were inappropriate, irritating, or annoying and needed to stop.

While these are generalities, the cluster of these behaviors were described too frequently to be ignored. In my opinion, the best strategies for supporting drug resistant behaviors in children of the ages you’re working with include teaching, modeling, practicing and promoting social comfort and competence, while building a range of alternative activities that are more attractive and inviting.

In terms of activities for your school:

Give a ticket to someone you see doing something good for someone else;

Do a secret something helpful or kind for someone else without telling anyone;

Try a new activity each day;

Sit with someone different for lunch each day;

Write at least one way each day about how you were a good role model for someone younger;

Brainstorm things to do instead of complaining about being bored;

Wonder: I wonder why someone might want to use drugs? It helps to find out what the kids are thinking. That alone will give you lots of clues about how to help them think of other things to do – and to explore the ultimate consequences of choices leading to drug use such as trouble with the law, family, health, etc.

Write a goal statement for follow though with a new hobby or activity you tried during the week, and do a “check-up” every month to see how well you are meeting your goal, changing the goal as needed;

Have classroom meetings to recognize change and efforts made by all students;

Find something to appreciate about every student in your classroom (this is something kids need to have modeled for them: I like the way B. has not poked me with a pencil today – positive affirmation for small changes reinforces more positive effort)

I hope this helps. I’ve done lots of health fair presentations, classroom presentations, student activities, family activities, etc. over the years. Making life so inviting and engaging that the idea of taking any time out to do drugs is the goal of drug resistance.

Have fun, and invite as many kids as you can to enjoy life along with you. Help them have too much fun to do drugs! You’ll do a great job.

Regarding giving out cards/tickets, I suggest cheap business cards with a red ribbon on them stating ‘I caught you doing good’. Also, Oriental Trading Company has a nice selection of items to select from.

Sunglasses day…”We’re too cool for drugs”