Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Peer Pressure

Over the next few weeks, NIMCO will be sharing some "Attention Grabber™" ideas that you can use in class to help teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The “Attention Grabbers™” are designed to assist with teaching and speaking about the adverse effects alcohol and drugs cause to all who are exposed to these addictive drugs. We live in a visual society, making visual aids a needed resource to assist with speaking or teaching thus enabling you to reach your entire audience. The suggestions are designed to assist your alcohol and drug education programs. You may expound upon each scenario as your presentation or speaking time allows. Each “Attention Grabber™” is very cost effective to present with the suggested visual aids to reiterate the information given during your presentation. These "Attention Grabber™" ideas are also great for Red Ribbon Week!

Supplies:

• A large doll that can stand-alone or that may be supported by a prop

• A roll of any type colored plastic wrap

Directions:

Start by telling the audience that you realize everyone in the room including yourself is effected daily by peer pressure. Many times, people don’t realize the problems youth face daily concerning drugs and alcohol. Explain that every person has the personal power to say NO to drugs or alcohol. Let the group know that you realize how peer pressure can sometimes cause them to make poor choices. Negative peer pressure may cause you to loose sight of your goals and positive judgment and encourage you to make poor choices. Each one of us needs to realize that we have control over our lives until we give it away. Take charge of your destiny and don’t ever let anyone take away your control or force you to do something negative with your lifestyle.

I have a new discovery that will help you if you decide that you cannot resist negative peer pressure. Ask a volunteer to assist you in front of the group. Ask the volunteer to hold the doll and start wrapping the doll from head to toe. Make sure that you completely cover the doll with the plastic wrap. When you have finished the task hold up the plastic covered doll and tell the audience that if you wrap yourself completely no one can get to you and pressure you into a negative choice. Thank the volunteer and have he/she return to their seat. Ask the audience what they think about your new idea. The responses should be negative. Examples may be 1. You could not breathe 2. It’s not practical to do such a thing 3. You could not eat or drink etc. Agree with their comments and encourage positive suggestions and ways to avoid negative peer pressure.

Explain to the group that wrapping yourself in plastic wrap is not practical. In addition, you realize that there is no way to avoid the peer pressure you are exposed to everyday concerning drugs and alcohol. Explain that you have to make the choice and then stand firm. Many times that means leaving your group of friends and becoming involved with a positive peer group. Use this opportunity to explain the difference between positive and negative peer pressure.

End by telling the group that you realize the plastic wrap is impractical and there is no way you can live in a “glass bubble”. Even though there are times when it would be wonderful, it is not a practical decision. The whole object of the demonstration is to make students realize there is no way to avoid peer pressure, but they can make positive choices and control their lives.

Suggested supplemental materials may be purchased at www.nimcoinc.com

Drug Education Poster Series (Click Here to Purchase)

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Decisions

Over the next few weeks, NIMCO will be sharing some "Attention Grabber™" ideas that you can use in class to help teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The “Attention Grabbers™” are designed to assist with teaching and speaking about the adverse effects alcohol and drugs cause to all who are exposed to these addictive drugs. We live in a visual society, making visual aids a needed resource to assist with speaking or teaching thus enabling you to reach your entire audience. The suggestions are designed to assist your alcohol and drug education programs. You may expound upon each scenario as your presentation or speaking time allows. Each “Attention Grabber™” is very cost effective to present with the suggested visual aids to reiterate the information given during your presentation. These "Attention Grabber™" ideas are also great for Red Ribbon Week!

Supplies:

• 2 Glass jars (a mayonnaise jar works great)

• 1 Ping Pong Ball

• Rice (uncooked)

Directions:

Put the Ping Pong Ball in the bottom of the jar. Hold the jar up so the audience can see. 

Tell the students that the ping-pong ball represents them as a person. You realize that their life is filled full of activities such as school, sports, academics, possibly a part time job, homework, etc. Then on the personal side, you have your friends, family, and a lot of peer pressure. As you are talking, pour rice in the jar using the rice to simulate how all of these factors surround their life. When the jar is full put the lid on and hold the jar up so everyone can see. 

Ask the group if they ever feel surrounded just like this ping-pong ball? After the audience responds, tell the group that the most important thing is to be like the ping-pong ball and put their well being first in their life. The ball went in the jar first which means that even though they feel surrounded at times they are still in charge if they use good judgment and make sure that they do not make unhealthy choices like drugs and alcohol.

Pick up the second jar and start pouring the rice from the first jar into the empty jar. Start explaining

to the group that when they put everything first instead of their personal health and safety bad

things can happen. You soon lose sight of your goals and dreams and many times you're influenced

by negative peer pressure. After you have filled the jar with rice, take the ping-pong ball and

ask the group where they will be if they let drugs, alcohol and negative peer pressure control their

lives. Put the ball on top of the rice and try to put the lid on the jar. It will not fit... Explain that only

when you put yourself first and practice healthy choices will you be in control of your life. Otherwise, you are out of control.

Suggested supplemental materials may be purchased at www.nimcoinc.com

Reach For The Stars! Stay Drug Free! Hacky Sack Ball (Click Here to Purchase)

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Funnel

Over the next few weeks, NIMCO will be sharing some "Attention Grabber™" ideas that you can use in class to help teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The “Attention Grabbers™” are designed to assist with teaching and speaking about the adverse effects alcohol and drugs cause to all who are exposed to these addictive drugs. We live in a visual society, making visual aids a needed resource to assist with speaking or teaching thus enabling you to reach your entire audience. The suggestions are designed to assist your alcohol and drug education programs. You may expound upon each scenario as your presentation or speaking time allows. Each “Attention Grabber™” is very cost effective to present with the suggested visual aids to reiterate the information given during your presentation. These "Attention Grabber™" ideas are also great for Red Ribbon Week!

Supplies:

A large kitchen or automotive funnel

Directions:

Turn the funnel upside down and tell the students the funnel represents their choices in life. The narrow end represents when they were young and their parents made the majority of decisions concerning their daily activities. Point out that as you grow you have more opportunity to make your own choices. Explain that even while we do not have a choice about some things in life, there are just as many times we do have a choice. As we grow older, we have more opportunities to make choices. Use the funnel to show how it grows wider just as we grow older. Explain if you; choose to make poor choices; it will affect the rest of your life. Examples of poor choices would be to use drugs or alcohol. If you choose to use drugs or alcohol, the effects will be with you the rest of your life.  

Turn the funnel upside down and point out the fact that poor choices can shorten our lives as well as cause many health problems. Instead of growing outside the funnel where we have wide-open opportunities, we put ourselves back in the funnel with a limited lifestyle and limit our opportunities. You can incorporate many points into this lesson and you can make it as extensive as you desire. This is an excellent opportunity to talk about character building and future dreams and goals.

Suggested supplemental materials may be purchased at www.nimcoinc.com

Be Drug Free Silicone Bracelet (Click Here to Purchase)

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Extra Baggage

Over the next few weeks, NIMCO will be sharing some "Attention Grabber™" ideas that you can use in class to help teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The “Attention Grabbers™” are designed to assist with teaching and speaking about the adverse effects alcohol and drugs cause to all who are exposed to these addictive drugs. We live in a visual society, making visual aids a needed resource to assist with speaking or teaching thus enabling you to reach your entire audience. The suggestions are designed to assist your alcohol and drug education programs. You may expound upon each scenario as your presentation or speaking time allows. Each “Attention Grabber™” is very cost effective to present with the suggested visual aids to reiterate the information given during your presentation. These "Attention Grabber™" ideas are also great for Red Ribbon Week!

Supplies:

• String or ribbon

• Boxes in various sizes

• Construction paper, and markers

Directions:

Write on separate pieces of construction paper the following--Cirrhosis of the Liver, Drunk Driving, Binge Drinking, Traffic Fatalities, Fatal Alcohol Syndrome. Tape each piece of paper on a different box.

Have a hole punched in each box and connect the boxes with the string or ribbon leaving about a four foot excess string on the last box. Ask for two volunteers (male and female) to join you in front of the group. Tell everyone that this couple is getting ready to go out to eat and then see a movie. Explain to the audience that this would be wonderful except for one small problem. Point to the young man and say he has some excess baggage; he will be taking on the date. Tie the ribbon or string around his wrist and position the boxes so you can read aloud the problem listed on each box.

Address the audience and explain the health issue written on each box. You may choose to use different problems related to alcohol use. The point of the illustration is to make your audience aware

that drinking creates problems. These problems and health issues are “attached” to the person who chooses to use alcohol and also all those around them.

Ask the question to the group; Is this something (pointing to the attached boxes) you really want to spend an evening with?

Suggested supplemental materials may be purchased at www.nimcoinc.com

Dangers of Drugs Flip Chart (Click Here to Purchase)                        

Dangers of Alcohol Flip Chart (Click Here to Purchase)

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Icebreaker

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Icebreaker

Over the next few weeks, NIMCO will be sharing some "Attention Grabber™" ideas that you can use in class to help teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The “Attention Grabbers™” are designed to assist with teaching and speaking about the adverse effects alcohol and drugs cause to all who are exposed to these addictive drugs. We live in a visual society, making visual aids a needed resource to assist with speaking or teaching thus enabling you to reach your entire audience. The suggestions are designed to assist your alcohol and drug education programs. You may expound upon each scenario as your presentation or speaking time allows. Each “Attention Grabber™” is very cost effective to present with the suggested visual aids to reiterate the information given during your presentation. These "Attention Grabber™" ideas are also great for Red Ribbon Week!

Supplies:

Suckers or candy of your choice with a drug or prevention message taped to each piece.

Directions:

Place a bowl at the doorway where students enter the room or stand by the entryway and encourage all students to take one. (Make sure the adults supervising the students approve this). After the students have taken their seats, ask students to read the prevention slogans on their candy. Ask volunteers to stand and explain the slogan on their treat. Example: Be Drug Free—the student may respond that using drugs is dangerous. Always give positive reinforcement to the students and if you need expand on their statements.

This is an excellent icebreaker to set the tone for a speaker or demonstration about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

* Always have sugar free candy as an option for those who cannot have sugar.

Suggested supplemental materials may be purchased at www.nimcoinc.com

Drug Prevention Suckers (packages in sets of 250) (Click Here to Purchase)

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - A Rose Or A Thorn

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - A Rose Or A Thorn

Over the next few weeks, NIMCO will be sharing some "Attention Grabber™" ideas that you can use in class to help teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The “Attention Grabbers™” are designed to assist with teaching and speaking about the adverse effects alcohol and drugs cause to all who are exposed to these addictive drugs. We live in a visual society, making visual aids a needed resource to assist with speaking or teaching thus enabling you to reach your entire audience. The suggestions are designed to assist your alcohol and drug education programs. You may expound upon each scenario as your presentation or speaking time allows. Each “Attention Grabber™” is very cost effective to present with the suggested visual aids to reiterate the information given during your presentation. These "Attention Grabber™" ideas are also great for Red Ribbon Week!

Supplies:

• One long-stem live rose (any color) with thorns

Directions:

Hold up the rose and talk about how it is beautiful, but also very fragile. The bloom is beautiful to look at and smells so nice. Pass the rose to the students and ask each one to pull a petal from the rose. When the rose is nothing but the stem, ask the student to bring it back to you. Hold up the stem and point out that all that is left is the stem and thorns. Tell the students it is hard to imagine that this ugly stem with thorns once had a beautiful rose on it.  

Explain that when you use drugs or alcohol they do the same thing to your body. They strip you of all your vital healthy parts and leave you with a disease-wrecked body. We can’t put the petals back on the rose and you can’t undo damage done to your body by drugs or alcohol.

Suggested supplemental materials may be purchased at www.nimcoinc.com

The Warning Signs Are Clear. . Don't Do Drugs Weepul (One Red Weepul) 

(Click Here to Purchase)

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Affairs Of The Heart

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Affairs Of The Heart

Over the next few weeks, NIMCO will be sharing some "Attention Grabber™" ideas that you can use in class to help teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The “Attention Grabbers™” are designed to assist with teaching and speaking about the adverse effects alcohol and drugs cause to all who are exposed to these addictive drugs. We live in a visual society, making visual aids a needed resource to assist with speaking or teaching thus enabling you to reach your entire audience. The suggestions are designed to assist your alcohol and drug education programs. You may expound upon each scenario as your presentation or speaking time allows. Each “Attention Grabber™” is very cost effective to present with the suggested visual aids to reiterate the information given during your presentation. These "Attention Grabber™" ideas are also great for Red Ribbon Week!

Supplies:

• Three Construction Paper Shaped Hearts (red)

• Glue

Directions:

Glue two construction paper hearts together prior to the lecture. Cut one single heart to use at the beginning of the presentation. Hold up the single heart and explain that the heart is vital to maintain life and it must function properly in order that we may have a healthy and safe life. Your heart beats an average of 72 beats a minute, and pumps 1.3 gallons (5 liters) of blood per minute which is 1,900 gallons (7,200 liters) per day. Explain to the group that your heart is very a synchronized organ and when you drink alcohol, consume, or inject drugs you immediately affect your heart. 

Alcohol is a depressant. This means it slows your central nervous system down. When you consume alcohol in mass quantities, you may even cease to breath. Thus causing your heart rate to decrease to the point of death. The reason many people say that alcohol relaxes them is because it literally slows down your heart rate. Most illegal drugs speed up your heart rate. 

Hold up the two hearts glued together and demonstrate that one heart is slowed down by alcohol (which is a drug) and illegal drugs increase the heart rate on the other. Demonstrate that when your heart or body is pulled in two different directions at the same time this can happen. Tear the two hearts apart. Hold up the damaged hearts and say that we can glue these back together, but ask the group this question. Will the heart ever look the same? Of course the answer is NO. Use this demonstration to make the audience aware that experimenting with drugs, alcohol or both will cause damage that can never be repaired. Refer back to the earlier statement about the function of the heart on a daily basis. Use this opportunity to reiterate the fact that drugs and alcohol are dangerous and many times fatal.

Added Activity:

You may have students research the effects of drugs and alcohol on the heart as an additional educational activity.

Suggested supplemental materials may be purchased at www.nimcoinc.com

My Promise is to be Drug Free - SELF-STICK Ribbons (CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE)

Happy Halloween and Red Ribbon Week!

Happy Halloween and Red Ribbon Week!

Happy Halloween and Red Ribbon Week to everyone across the country. We wish you a safe and happy trick-r-treating and most of all...a drug free night of fun and happiness.

It's Up To Me To Be Healthy - Ideas for Red Ribbon Week Activities

NIMCO, Inc. Encourages Red Ribbon Week Activities

Over the next few weeks leading up to Red Ribbon Week 2013, NIMCO will be sharing some activity ideas on our blog that teachers and community leaders can use to help students get excited about Red Ribbon Week. Many of these ideas can be incorporated in your school leading up to Red Ribbon Week.

Our 17th entry is entitled: It's Up To Me To Be Healthy

Red Ribbon Week is a positive and affirming opportunity for everyone to celebrate a “Drug Free” and a “Healthy Lifestyle.”  

Red apples are a great way to encourage being
healthy for Red Ribbon Week!

• In class, students are asked to sign their name, write a “Be Healthy” message, and then ‘link’ their papers together (like a chain) to hang up around the school.

• Students can invite their parents or guardians to school for lunch. After lunch, everyone is encouraged to pledge to be healthy by signing his or her name on a paper banner citing the theme.

• Students receive a red apple during lunchtime to enjoy.

• Students write a healthy choice on a beach ball. After completing, the teacher dunks it into a basket as a symbolic gesture.

TODAY’S MESSAGE
“A Healthy Me is Drug Free!”

Head over to our website for more Red Ribbon Week information. We also have a page dedicated to the National 2013 Red Ribbon Week Theme "A Healthy Me is Drug Free!" where you can purchase many different promotional items that you can use and pass out to students during Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31st.

Lei Off Drugs - Ideas for Red Ribbon Week Activities

NIMCO, Inc. Encourages Red Ribbon Week Activities

Over the next few weeks leading up to Red Ribbon Week 2013, NIMCO will be sharing some activity ideas on our blog that teachers and community leaders can use to help students get excited about Red Ribbon Week. Many of these ideas can be incorporated in your school leading up to Red Ribbon Week.

Our thirteenth entry is entitled: Lei Off Drugs

• Hawaiian leis will be passed out to all students to wear. 

Lei Off Drugs for Red Ribbon Week!

• Students wear their favorite Hawaiian theme clothing: colorful shirts, grass skirts, crowns of flowers, flip flops, colorful bandanas, etc. (Must follow the school dress code and dress appropriately.)

• Place inflatable palm trees, pink flamingos and colorful balloons around the school.

• Students receive theme sticker for participating.

• Teachers teach students a few Hawaiian words and phrases.

• Play a CD of island music during lunch hour to add to the atmosphere.

• Ask the cafeteria ahead of time if they can serve Hawaiian themed foods like pineapple, bananas, kiwi, fruit salad, coconut, rice, Hawaiian punch, beef stew or BBQ.

TODAY’S MESSAGE
“Aloha. Hand in hand lets take a drug-free stand.”

Head over to our website for more Red Ribbon Week information. We also have a page dedicated to the National 2013 Red Ribbon Week Theme "A Healthy Me is Drug Free!" where you can purchase many different promotional items that you can use and pass out to students during Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31st.

Be A Hero - Ideas for Red Ribbon Week Activities

NIMCO, Inc. Encourages Red Ribbon Week Activities

Over the next few weeks leading up to Red Ribbon Week 2013, NIMCO will be sharing some activity ideas on our blog that teachers and community leaders can use to help students get excited about Red Ribbon Week. Many of these ideas can be incorporated in your school leading up to Red Ribbon Week.

Our tenth entry is entitled: Be A Hero 

Enrique “Kiki” Camarena

Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena lost his life fighting America's War on Drugs. The Red Ribbon Campaign symbolizes support for efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education programs. Show your local heroes support by inviting them to come talk with students about the dangers of Underage Drinking and Drug Use.

• Invite guest speakers into the school to discuss the consequences of drug use. Speakers come from all parts of a community; Military, Law Enforcement, Fire Department, the parent of a child addicted to drugs, someone who has lost a family member to drug use, someone in the advertising business who can explain how messages are designed to convince people not to use drugs, and so on.

• Question Box to allow the students to get involved. Students can drop questions in box without names.

• Invite all students to sign their names on red ribbons and send them to Washington as a symbol of unity and concern for others.

TODAY’S MESSAGE
“Anyone that lives a drug-free lifestyle is a Hero!”

Head over to our website for more Red Ribbon Week information. We also have a page dedicated to the National 2013 Red Ribbon Week Theme "A Healthy Me is Drug Free!" where you can purchase many different promotional items that you can use and pass out to students during Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31st.