Goals and Objectives :: Goal B

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Education to change attitudes and behaviors is a significant aspect of drug and violence prevention. Students anxious to emulate their peers often pattern their attitudes and behaviors after what they perceive others' attitudes and behaviors to be. Often those attitudes and behaviors are harmful, but their negativity is evidently outweighed by the allure of fitting in. Teenagers tend to perceive that "everyone" is using drugs (including alcohol and tobacco), when in reality, less than half are using drugs. When young people perceive their friends' and families' social disapproval of drug use, they tend to avoid initiating drug use. Similar patterns are true when youth perceive approval of violent solutions to conflicts.

It is important for students to see, hear, and model after peers and adults who have been successful without using drugs. They need to learn language and behaviors for peaceful solutions to conflicts from those who effectively demonstrate those attitudes and skills.

Students will demonstrate the ability to...

1. Predict the effects of misinformation concerning the risks of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs and acts of violence.

2. Distinguish between characteristics that prevent vs. promote drug use and violence
   including:
   1. caring vs. selfishness
   2. equality and social justice vs. intolerance
   3. honesty vs. dishonesty
   4. responsibility vs. irresponsibility
   5. restraint vs. foolhardiness
   6. courage vs. cowardice
   7. respect vs. disrespect
   8. participation vs apathy

3. Develop strategies to encourage drug-free and nonviolent attitudes and behaviors and to discourage drug use and violent attitudes and behaviors.

4. Identify and seek out groups and individuals, including family members, peers, and adult friends, who provide encouragement to remain drug-free and nonviolent.

Below are links to a 4-step guide for Goal B:

1. The Research
2. An Example
3. Instructional Strategies
4. Home Involvement