Drug awareness activities teach kids the dangers of getting involved in drugs and other dangerous behaviors. Starting drug awareness activities at an early age establishes a healthy attitude toward anti-drug campaigns. Kids learn both the reasons to avoid drugs and the tools to resist peer pressure. These tools serve kids well as they get older and face more pressures.
Kids and teens face pressures from peers and older individuals to engage in dangerous activities. It happens in large cities and small towns, crossing various socioeconomic groups. Prescription drugs, anabolic steroids and illegal drugs of all varieties are available to kids. Teaching them the dangers of these drugs helps them resist the temptation to try the drugs. Drug awareness activities teach kids how to deal with a situation in which they are asked to try drugs.
Red Ribbon Week
Schools and other groups celebrate Red Ribbon Week every year during the last week of October. The first national Red Ribbon Week occurred in 1988 as a drug prevention program for kids. Red Ribbon Week provides a springboard for drug awareness activities. Continuing the anti-drug activities throughout the year increases the effectiveness because the kids get continuous exposure to the anti-drug message.
It's Never Too Early
An early start to drug awareness activities helps the kids to internalize the message. A foundation for drug awareness activities can begin as early as the preschool years by helping kids establish healthy routines. Kids can understand that certain substances are dangerous and should be avoided. Boosting children's self-esteem helps them stand up for themselves and make better decisions as they age. Older kids better understand specific anti-drug messages and peer pressure which allows you to expand the drug awareness activities.
Group settings allow many options for anti-drug activities. Role playing offers a way for the kids to practice resisting peer pressure. Kids develop responses and ways to remove themselves from peer pressures. A group anti-drug pledge is another way to reinforce the message. The kids create a pledge as a group with each child signing her own copy. Post the pledges to remind the kids of their promises.
Communication Lines Open
Parents play a large role in how a child deals with various social situations. Establishing communication with your child creates a feeling of trust. Take an active role in your child's life both socially and academically. Talking openly about drugs and their dangers establishes expectations for your child. Rules and consequences that you enforce consistently in all areas of behavior may decrease the chances of your child trying drugs or alcohol.