Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - The Unprotected Truth about Alcohol

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:

Bottle of Sun Screen with a high SPF

Directions:

Hold the bottle of sunscreen up and read the information on the bottle about the effectiveness of the product. Explain in detail how to apply the sunscreen to get the best possible coverage. Tell why the sunscreen is so important to keep you from being sun burnt and causing damage to your skin. Ask students what would happen if they were in the hot sun all day without any kind of protection on their skin. Encourage their interaction, explain how you would burn, blister and peel and may even get sun

poisoning.   

Explain to the students that many people feel that way about alcohol. It’s harmless and just one or two drinks won’t hurt. Remember every alcoholic started with just one drink. The following are some facts I feel everyone should know before they make a decision to use alcoholic products.

• Thirty percent of college failure is alcohol related

• Drinking and driving is the number one killer of Americans between the ages of 17-24

• One in every three suicides involves alcohol

• The average DUI (Driving Under the Influence) costs the charged person $3000.00

• 75% to 90% of campus rapes involve alcohol use

• 69% of all drownings are alcohol related

Remember one out of every three Americans DO NOT drink. Many times, we are under the assumption that everyone drinks. This is what the alcoholic companies want everyone to believe. They spend billions of dollars each year to sell their product, by making you and I believe everyone uses alcohol products.

The only 100% way to guarantee that you will never have be one of the above stated facts is to abstain and avoid all alcohol use. You have the personal power to be in control of your life and please do not let anyone take this away.

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

Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco Limit My Possibilities! Laminated Poster (Click Here to Purchase)

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Rotten To The Core

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:

• 3 Bananas (one green, one ripe and one really ripe even black)

Directions:

Take the ripe banana and bump it several times on a table edge about one hour prior to the demonstration. Have a display area that is in plan view of the entire audience. Place the three bananas on the table so they can easily be seen by the group.

Hold the green banana up and explain to the group that the banana is green and needs to mature to be a desirable fruit to eat. Use this analogy to explain to the group that in some ways they are like this banana still maturing with many decisions and choices to make. 

If you choose to use drugs or alcohol, maybe for a while, you can fool your family and friends because you show no visible signs. It won’t be long until you start changing. Put down the green banana and pick up the ripe banana. Hold the banana up and say you may start changing in attitude and appearance but the scary thing is what is going on inside your body. Examine the banana, say it has a few imperfections on the outside, and point those out to the group. Expand on the point that many times you fool yourself into thinking no one knows you are abusing drugs and alcohol because you think you can hide the effects. 

Peel the banana (the one earlier bumped on the side of the table) point out the bruises that were not visible on the outside. Tell the assembled group that this is so scary because alcohol and illegal drugs destroy your body from the inside out. Pick up the very ripe banana that is black in appearance and hold it up in front of the group. Explain that if you continue to use drugs or alcohol you will be just like this banana bruised and abused on the outside and inside. Peel the banana, examine the inside, and point out the undesirable condition of the inside of the banana. Parallel the inside of the banana with the inside of your body if you abuse it with drugs and alcohol.

Every one of you are just like the first green banana (hold it up) growing daily with the choice to make positive decisions concerning your life. You have the personal power to say no to drugs and alcohol. Don’t end up like this (hold up the overripe banana) make the decision to be drug and alcohol free.

* Practice this demonstration prior to the presentation and extend the information on each stage of deterioration as you feel is necessary.

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

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Do You See What I See?

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:

• Blindfold

• Masking Tape (Blue found in most paint sections at stores)

Directions:

Put down two straight lines of tape about eight feet long. Allow about 2 feet between the lines. Tell the assembled group that you want to talk with them about the negative effects of drugs and alcohol on your body. Explain to the group that one person is killed every 22 minutes daily in the U.S. in a drunken driving accident. Drinking and driving is the number one killer of Americans between the ages of 17-24. We all think this could never happen to me but I am sure everyone in this room is aware of someone who has been injured or killed in an accident that involved alcohol.

When I heard these facts, not only was I amazed, but I started thinking; “how could this be”. I decided to do some research on my own and you will be amazed at what I discovered. I will need two volunteers to assist me with the demonstration. Have the volunteers join you in front of the group and proceed as follows.

Stand each volunteer at the beginning of one of the lines. Blind fold one volunteer and not the other one. Start talking and as you explain start slowing turning the blind folded individual around and around in place.  

Explain to the group that both of these young adults are at a party. Point to the volunteer that IS NOT blindfolded and explain that all night long he has resisted the offer of alcohol. Facts have proven that 1 out of every 3 Americans do not drink. Point to the volunteer that is not blind folded and tell him that he has just left the party and the only thing that he has drank is soft drinks. Ask him to walk the line from beginning to end. When he completes the task, ask him if it was difficult. The reply should be no. (This entire time continue slowly turning the blind folded volunteer) Ask the first volunteer to stand in the middle of their line. Now explain to the group that this individual has been drinking at the party and has had quite a bit to drink. Now take the blind fold off and ask the volunteer to walk the straight line. The individual will find it difficult and will probably bump into the first volunteer standing on their line. Have a chair available for the dizzy individual to sit in and do not make them finish walking the line if it is to difficult, be ready to assist the youth to avoid a fall.

This is an excellent example of how your judgment and motor skills are affected when you drink alcohol. Many illegal drugs have similar effects. Point out to the group that the drunk volunteer bumped into the volunteer that had not been drinking. Reiterate this is what happens many times to an innocent individual. They are injured or killed because of a drunk driver.

*For an added, bonus you may use “Fatal Vision Goggles” listed below for the entire group to visualize just how alcohol can affect their visual judgment.

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

Fatal Vision Goggles (Starter Kit with Case) (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™ - A Picture is worth a Thousand Words

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:

• Poster concerning the hazards of drug or alcohol use

• Black Bows

• Pictures of caskets or funerals

• A tombstone made out of wood or cardboard with RIP inscribed on it

• Any other visual aid about drug or alcohol abuse

Directions:

Place these items around the room where you will be speaking. Proceed with your speaking session without mentioning the items on display. The ideal is to create a visual setting, which mimics your lecture content. Some research material about the visual items will be helpful to reiterate the subliminal message. Allow the student’s time to review the visual aids and ask questions concerning your displays. This gives you an opportunity to explain the meanings of your visual aids.  

This sets the stage for speaking about the fatal consequences alcohol or drugs may have on your life. As a speaker you may choose this as a visual aid to a prepared speech. This is also a stand alone presentation that will arouse interest in the assembled group. Be prepared to answer questions about the visual aids.

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

Project Drug Free Folding Display (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)

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Keys

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Keys

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:

• Set of car keys

• Inexpensive toy car or truck

Directions:

Hold up the keys and tell the group that this is the set of keys to your brand-new (car or truck). Ask a volunteer  to come up front. Hand the keys to your volunteer and tell him or her you are giving them your new (car or truck).  

Explain in detail about the vehicle (color, interior, sound system etc.). Describe a vehicle that is very appealing to the group you are speaking too.

Ask the volunteer if they are excited about their new vehicle? Ask if they will let someone drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs drive their new vehicle? Their response should be no and ask the reason they said no.

• Some possible responses they may say are:

• Its illegal

• It’s dangerous

When you use drugs or alcohol, you lose your control.

Use this opportunity to point out they should not take the chance of wrecking their body or life.

Add more reasons as your time and group discussion will allow. Explain to the group that when someone uses drugs or alcohol and gets behind the wheel not only does it affect them but also

whoever is with them and anyone they meet on the highway. Take this opportunity to explain that drugs and alcohol are always a dangerous and sometimes deadly combination, especially if you are behind the wheel.

Thank the volunteer for his or her participation and tell them you are sorry but you really don’t have a new vehicle for them, but you have this. Hand them the toy (car or truck) and ask everyone to give

them a nice applause for their participation.

Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Free Lanyard (CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE)

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - False Advertising

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - False Advertising

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:

• Assorted magazines that appeal to youth

• Scissors

• Shopping bag or trash bag with handles

Alcohol ad targeting video gamers.

Directions:

Divide the students in groups and give each group magazines, scissors, and a trash bag. The task is for the students to remove any item or picture that involves liquor, beer, or wine. As the students busy themselves with this task, encourage discussion about how alcohol companies target youth and try to make their ads so appealing it seems like everyone drinks. Point out to students that a recent survey across America showed a decline in alcohol consumption among youth. 

As the students edit the magazine for alcohol ads, ask each group to select the most sizzling and appealing ad they find and discard the rest in their trash bag. You may award the group with the most trash and the group with the alcohol ad that appeals most to the students. Use this opportunity to point out that alcohol companies target youth. Remind the students that the alcohol companies only want their money and are not concerned about addiction or other side effects caused by alcohol use.

Suggested supplemental materials may be purchased at

 www.nimcoinc.com

Too Smart to Start - 13 Poster Set (CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE)

Talking to Your Kids About Drugs

Talking to Your Kids About Drugs

Talking to your kids about drugs can be difficult. Many parents find the thought of approaching the subject difficult. However with the right motivation and direction you can help your child understand the dangers of drugs so they can avoid the temptation throughout their lives.

Our view is that one of the most important roadblocks of drug use among young people is a parent who wants to spend time with their child - someone who wants to communicate with them about their friends, school, and interests. Popular opinions say that the more you are involved with your children's lives, the more positive they will feel about themselves and your views on the dangers of drugs.

Talk to your kids about the dangers of drugs!

Red Ribbon Week is still 11 months away so here are our Top 10 suggestions on creating a lasting relationship with your children so that you can better communicate the dangers of drugs and alcohol to them.

1. Play an active role in their life
Life can be pretty hectic for adults but you have to set aside to time to spend with your children. Establish routines for spending time with them and learn to take an interest in their activities and hobbies. This quality time together is very important in building a lasting foundation of truthful communication.

2. Listen to your children's views
Allowing your child a chance to express their views is a great way to gain trust. If you show you are willing to listen then it will help them feel more comfortable when talking to you. Let them speak and don't interrupt. Children must feel comfortable in communicating openly with you which also shows you are willing to value their opinion.

3. Be a role model 
One of the most important steps in building trust and communication is that you are also doing what you are saying. If you do drugs how can you expect your children to listen to your concerns? You are your child's first role-model in this world. Don't underestimate how much you influence your children with your actions. If you misuse drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or medications...then most likely they will too.

4. Always be honest with them 
Sometimes you won't have every answer to every question about drugs. It's important in these moments to be honest and let your child know that you are willing to find the answers. This honesty can go a long way in establishing trust. Research the answers together...you might be surprised how close of a bond this will create between each other.

5. Pick the right time to talk
Try to make sure that you find the right times to discuss drugs with your kids. Natural opportunities such as watching TV, or throwing the football in the backyard are great for opening a dialogue of discussion with your child. Look for natural openings such as your child talking about their friends or someone at school.

6. Always stay calm
Calm, cool, and collected is the best policy when it comes to talking about drugs. If you overreact and don't stay calm, this could hinder future discussions between yourself and your child concerning drugs. If your kids think you will overreact about drugs they will resist talking about them to you at all.

7. Avoid conflict 
If there is conflict between you and your child, it's going to be difficult to discuss or solve a problem concerning drugs. Do your best to resolve the conflict so that everyone can focus on the task at hand. Conflict can drive a wedge between you and your child. Try to understand your child's point of view while encouraging them to understand yours.

8. Keep talking
Once you open a dialogue with your child it's important to keep this dialogue going. Start talking about the dangers of drugs early and always be willing to talk to your kids about the issue in a moment's notice.

9. Set precise boundaries and rules
Don't be afraid to set ground rules. In most cases kids expect and appreciate having some ground rules. One of the best ways to establish these rules is to actively involve your kids in discussing and setting the rules. This can be a great way to encourage them to take more responsibility by sticking to the rules they helped create. Find ways to discuss how your child will use these rules to stay out of compromising situations involving drug use. By setting these rules you are helping your kids avoid being exposed to drugs in the first place.

10. Focus and encourage the positives
By focusing and encouraging the positives in your child's good behavior you are helping them feel good about themselves and helping them develop a healthy respect about being drug free. Your support and encouragement as well as a healthy attitude toward communication will be the key in preventing your child from ever wanting to use drugs.

We hope you find these steps helpful and encouraging when talking to your child about the dangers of drugs. Remember that being involved with your child is the best way to stay informed and the best way to prevent drug abuse. These steps are also great for teachers and faculty in preparation for Red Ribbon Week. Check back with us on our blog for more tips and ideas or visit us at www.nimcoinc.com for teaching materials and Red Ribbon Week supplies.

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Consequences

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:

• Red and Green food coloring

• A clear container filled with water

• Towel or plastic tablecloth to cover display area

• Eye Dropper

Directions:

Begin the demonstration by displaying a clear container filled with water. Tell the audience this represents a body before drugs or alcohol are introduced. All it takes is one time of introducing drugs or alcohol into your body to cloud your judgment and have negative effects on your body. Add a few drops of red and green food coloring to the water and stir it around. The water will appear a murky color. Explain that after only one time of using drugs or alcohol it can have an effect on your body.

Add a few more drops of the food coloring (red and green). As the water, turns darker explain that the more you abuse drugs and alcohol, the more your body is affected. Many times, we feel that once we have used drugs or alcohol and become addicted there is absolutely no hope. Explain to the audience that there is always hope, and they can turn their lives around. 

Drop a few drops of bleach in the colored water and stir. Keep adding drops of bleach until the water is clear again. Explain that it took effort to clean up the water just as it will take time and effort to clean up your life if you choose to use drugs or alcohol. Tell the assembled group that choosing to be drug and alcohol free is the only safe choice for youth and adults.

* Adjust the amount of food coloring and bleach to amount of water used. You should practice this demonstration prior to presentation.

Too SmA+rt to Start 9.5" Flyer

 Suggested supplemental materials may be purchased at

 www.nimcoinc.com

Red Ribbon Week Is Over...What's Next!

Red Ribbon Week Is Over...What's Next!

Now that another Red Ribbon Week has come and gone, it's never too early to start planning for next year. Our staff at NIMCO, Inc. is busy brainstorming on new ideas and new products for the 2014 Red Ribbon Week celebration.

Never to early to plan for Red Ribbon Week 2014

In the meantime to help with your planning, we have put together some websites that have valuable information about drug prevention and treatment. It's never to soon to start planning and NIMCO is here to help.

Red Ribbon Week Resources

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

National Family Partnership

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)

Enrique S. Camarena Foundation

Parents: The Anti-Drug

Office of National Drug Control Policy

The Partnership for A Drug Free America

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)

Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFCSP)

Get Smart About Drugs

Check Yourself

National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

Car Safety Resource/Car Insurance Calculator

All Treatment: Drug Rehab Center Directory and Substance Abuse Information Resource

Can you think of other websites or organizations that would be great to have on file for Red Ribbon Week? We would love to know. 

Don't forget to head over to our website for more Red Ribbon Week information. We also sell many different promotional items that you can use and pass out to students during Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31st.

Drug and Alcohol Attention Grabbers™ - Tug Of War

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. 

Tug Of War  

Supplies:

• A long length of rope
• 7 Volunteers

Directions:

Start by speaking to the group about the constant pressure the youth of today are faced with. Tell the audience that you realize that peer pressure is the number one reason that youth first try drugs or alcohol.

Having positive friends who make wise choices is ideally the group with which you would like to be

associated. Ask the group this question: Do you think that when someone starts using drugs they think about becoming addicted? On the other hand, what about alcohol? Do you really think that when someone starts drinking they plan to become an alcoholic?

Ask six equally sized volunteers to assist you in a demonstration. Hand six students the rope and ask them to try a tug of war with the rope. If both sides are equally balanced, it will be hard for one side to easily pull the other side over. After a few minutes, stop the demonstration. Ask the youth if they ever feel that they are in a tug of war with friends. Many times the constant tugging of peer pressure causes you to try drugs or alcohol.

Ask for another volunteer to come to the front and have them join one side of the tug of war. Now ask

the two teams to start again. The team with the fourth team member should have the advantage and

win. Tell the group that there is strength in numbers and when you make a decision to be with the positive group, it can make a difference in your future as well as your friend’s future. You have the “Personal Power” to be strong and say no to drugs and alcohol. DO NOT let anyone take your power away.

* Be selective so that the individual sizes of the teams will accomplish your goal with this presentation.

 Red White and Blue Pencil

MSG-DS1310-D

Suggested supplemental

materials may be purchased at

www.nimcoinc.com