Take Action in Secondary Schools

SECTION V:
Communicating About Prevention

School-Wide Initiatives

A number of suggestions for classroom and school-based activities have been presented in the Education and Instruction Action Area. The following suggestions build on these to provide further examples of school-wide initiatives that can be used to develop a healthy and supportive school community environment.

School Announcements

Designate one day of the week where a student does an announcement over the PA system and gives a positive message about staying drug free. Students would create their own messages that are reviewed by a staff liaison to ensure they are appropriate. Students can create very attractive messages for their peer population.

Lunch Hour Displays

These can be organized by school personnel, school councils, student councils or outside agencies. It is important to have a display that will be attractive and inviting to students. Providing draw prizes, food or incentives will entice students, who can then be educated in a creative way. For example, a collection of the ingredients needed to make crystal methamphetamine can be placed on a dinner plate. Ask students if they would eat these things if they were mixed together.

Homeroom Trivia Contests

On a regular basis, provide homeroom teachers with questions that focus on substance abuse. Have the homeroom class answer them together and send their answers to the office. The answers and winners are announced the next morning. Prizes can be creative and build on a positive message.

School Contests

Partner with local agencies to organize a Drug Free World Contest for the entire school. Students can create an original video, poster or poem that promotes a drug free world. Provide fact sheets and applicable websites to support their research. When possible have outside judges to increase community involvement. Prizes can be creative and build on a positive message.

Creative Writing

Have a creative writing contest for students and provide an attractive incentive for the winner.

Drama/Plays

Encourage the drama class to write and create a play based on substance use and abuse that can be performed for the entire school.

Small Group Facilitation

Identify students who might benefit from small group work on substance abuse. Invite a local agency that works in the area of substance abuse to work with the group. This type of education process is useful to the students directly involved and can promote further activities by word of mouth.

Tips Cards

Create wallet size cards with various tips about substance abuse (e.g., tips to quit or prevent smoking, use of the recovery position for alcohol poisoning). The cards can be distributed throughout the school in locations where students have independent access to them.

Wrist Bands

Student council or other school groups can get involved in selling wrist bands that promote drug free messages.

Theme Days

Encourage student groups to promote and organize theme days such as National Students Against Impaired Driving Day or World No Tobacco Day. Ideas such as “Party in the Right Spirit” or a “Mock Crash” can be used to convey the messages. Students who do not use substances can write their stories and share them.

Special Event

Host special events that focus on alternative behaviours to substance use and abuse. Have a Hip Hop dance day and encourage students to get high on dance or a “school idol” contest where students can show off their talents. Be sure to reward the students for their positive behaviour.

Model Positive Behaviour

One of the best ways to communicate positive strategies for substance abuse prevention is through our actions. Students are always aware and always watching. Try to participate in the activities with your students to show you care.

School Assemblies

Host school assemblies with messages about substance abuse. Youth appreciate hearing testimonials from people who have used drugs and are now drug free. Speakers with testimonials should have a message in their presentation that provides information about staying safe and the positive side of being substance free. A follow up activity or questions for teachers to talk to students about after the assembly provides a means of reinforcing the messages.

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