1. 8th Grade Healthful Living
Essential Standard 8.ATOD.3 Apply risk reduction behaviors to protect self and others from alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.
8th Grade Healthful Living

2. 8th Grade Healthful Living
Clarifying Objective 8.ATOD Identify positive alternatives to the use of alcohol and drugs.
8th Grade Healthful Living

3. Why People Misuse/Abuse Drugs
Curiosity
Low self-esteem
Negative peer pressure
Adult modeling
Seeking mood alteration
To relieve boredom
Feel socially alienated with no sense of love or purpose in life.

4. How to Avoid Drugs/Alcohol
Young people need opportunities to develop their talents and skills to avoid feelings of low self-worth or issues associated with esteem.
If adolescents are involved in an activity of interest during non-instructional hours, it helps to relieve feelings of boredom and isolation or alienation.
It is important to develop and use assertive refusal skills and offer healthy alternatives when asked to use alcohol or drugs.

5. Example of Healthy Alternatives
sports
music
dance
video games
fitness activities
faith-based activities
family events
school-sponsored clubs and leadership opportunities
community and volunteer service
big-brother/big-sister mentoring relationships
movies
recreational events and games (e.g., rock climbing, hiking, boating)