Introduction
This
session emphasizes that students can be a good resource and
positive influence for their peers. It sheds light on an
alternative perspective of peer influence by demonstrating
how students in the class can be a positive influence on
their peers. It also demonstrates how a peer's negative
influence and behaviour can lead to positive action on the
part of the students.
Students will learn to identify signs of harmful
involvement with substances, be able to decide when and how
to intervene, and consider how to handle a range of
possible responses from a friend (for example, wants help
and is willing to access it; knows there is a problem but
wants to deal with it without help; doesn't want parents to
know; or is denying there is a problem).
The activities in this learning theme have been developed
under the assumption that some grade 9 students may find
themselves in situations where they have taken a risk or
they are with friends who have taken risks that have led to
negative consequences, and quick thinking and response are
called for to keep everyone safe. Many of the alcohol- and
other drug-related risks faced by youth happen in the
company of peers and are frequently a result of the
behaviour of peers. This learning theme explores risky
situations from the perspective of handling both the risks
and the role peers play. The entire class will participate
in a party during which a number of alcohol- and
drug-related issues and potentially negative consequences
arise.
A
summary of the curriculum links, activity objectives, time
and preparation required, and the necessary materials can
be found by clicking here or on the Outcomes link in
this section.