Anti-Alcohol Curriculum Discussion: No one drinks with the intentions of becoming an alcoholic. But, this is a disease that some of you may be dealing with—maybe you have a family member or friend of the family who deals with the disease. Who knows, maybe some of you in this classroom have a problem with alcohol. I will go over some statistics later, but I think its important that we spend most of our time talking about the role alcohol plays in your life, and how to be in control of the role. Discussion: Overhead Why do teenagers drink? Where do they drink? Who’s drinking in high school? How accessible is alcohol? What are the consequences for getting caught drinking? How easy is it to say no? What about later? What happens when you drink? 1.5 oz liquor (1/2 glass)= 12 oz. beer= 5 oz wine (one glass) 2 beers: lose coordination, dizziness, act careless 4 beers: loss of inhibition, judgment impaired 6 beers: slurred speech, motor skills impaired 8 beers: double vision, nausea, poor depth perception 10 beers: brain loss function, vomiting, unconsciousness 12 beers: coma, breathing mechanisms paralyzed>suffocate, death You are the only one who is in charge of whether you drink or not, or how much you drink. Alcohol consumption (although not legal) is a widely acceptable practice amount college age individuals. No on is going to tell you to put your drink down because it stinks (like with smoking), and no one can get inside you to tell you when you’ve had too much. It doesn’t get any easier when you get older. In fact, it gets harder because people trust you to make more responsible decisions. You need to develop good decision making skills and confidence in your ability to say “No” now, so when faced with risky choices in the future, you’ll be conditioned to make the right one. Exercise: Split class into groups (depending on number of students) they have 5 minutes to discuss their scenario and come up with a plan. They also have to give one reason why they should choose to be alcohol free. What would you do? Take home lesson: Always have a PLAN!!!! Scenario 1: You’re at a party and you see your team captain drinking beer Scenario 2: You need to get home from a party, but your ride for the night has been drinking (you don’t have a license, yet)
Overhead: Reasons why you should choose not to drink… • It’s illegal—the consequences are expensive, permanent, and humiliating • Drinking too much can kill you • You can get kicked out of school • Can contribute to depression • You become ineligible to participate in school sports, and may not be permitted to attend school functions • It damages your liver • It kills brain cells—those come in handy, save all you can • It can lead to other risk behaviors, like drunk driving, smoking, promiscuity, violence • You may become a person even you couldn’t stand to be around • It doesn’t make you cool, it makes you dumb • It can make you very, very sick Assignment: (can be done in groups of 3) • Create a slogan or ad that would persuade kids your age to choose not to drink. • Read: http://teenagerstoday.com/resources/articles/teensuicide.htm • Read: http://www.coolnurse.com/alcohol.htm
Why do teenagers drink? Where do they drink?
Who’s drinking in high school?
How accessible is alcohol?
What are the consequences for getting caught drinking?
How easy is it to say no? What about later?
How Drinking Affects Your Body
1.5 oz liquor (1/2 glass)= 12 oz. beer= 5 oz wine (one glass)
2 beers: lose coordination, dizziness, act careless 4 beers: loss of inhibition, judgment impaired 6 beers: slurred speech, motor skills impaired 8 beers: double vision, nausea, poor depth perception 10 beers: brain loss function, vomiting, unconsciousness 12 beers: coma, breathing mechanisms paralyzed>suffocate, death
What would you do? Scenario 1: You’re at a party and you see your team captain drinking beer
Scenario 2: You need to get home from a party, but your ride for the night has been drinking (you don’t have a license, yet) Scenario 3: Your best friend is puking at the school dance because he/she had too much to drink Scenario 4: You’re on your way to a basketball game and someone in the car opens a beer Scenario 5: Your parents are out of town, your friends are over and want to raid the liquor cabinet Scenario 6: your boy/girlfriend gets aggressive after having too much to drink
Take home lesson: Always Have A PLAN!!!!
Reasons why you should choose not to drink… • It’s illegal—the consequences are expensive, permanent, and humiliating • Drinking too much can kill you
• You can get kicked out of school • Can contribute to depression • You become ineligible to participate in school sports, and may not be permitted to attend school functions • It damages your liver • It kills brain cells—those come in handy, save all you can • It can lead to other risk behaviors, like drunk driving, smoking, promiscuity, violence • You may become a person even you couldn’t stand to be around • It doesn’t make you cool, it makes you dumb • It can make you very, very sick