Teachers are constantly looking for something new that they can try in the classroom. Every year they want to step it up a notch. Who can blame them? Students get bored with the same material year after year.
When it comes to talking to students about substance abuse, the material is not always exciting. For one, you are covering a topic that is not exciting to students. Students want to be able to engage and have an opportunity to be creative. That's why if you are a mental health professional or school counselor, you know it's not about what you say but how you say it.
Students are quick to tune out these days as soon as they get bored. All it takes is one student to say out loud what everybody else is thinking and a teacher will lose total control of the class. Schools usually provide a time during the year where they cover topics either in gym class or health class. It's important to let students and parents know about all the topics being covered in class.
If a school has budget set for events, they can get involved to raise awareness at the end of October during what is called Red Ribbon Week. This week long celebration is dedicated to a DEA agent who was killed in the line of duty in Mexico in 1985. Since then schools and organizations have paid tribute to the fallen agent by wearing red ribbons on their clothes for a whole week as a symbol to live drug free lives.
Schools should consider showing red ribbon videos this year to their students. What a great opportunity for schools to combat substance abuse.
This video series is ideal for schools celebrating red ribbon week. Do something different this year, don't just pass out cool wristbands, give your students the head knowledge of how to stop substance abuse among students.