 |
Place Substance Abuse Prevention Messages in the Context of your Faith Community's Beliefs
Adults and youth want answers to their tough questions about drug use. The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign can provide the facts, but only you can provide the religious context in which other leaders - and ultimately youth workers and parents - can help teens realize the benefits of living healthy and drug-free lives.
|
Key Messages from the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
Youth Messages
"Most kids don't use drugs."
"Using drugs is likely to lead to negative consequences."
"A drug-free lifestyle is likely to lead to positive outcomes."
"Spend time in healthy and positive activities."
Adult Messages
"Marijuana and inhalants can be harmful to kids physically, socially, and spiritually."
"Each child is at risk for using drugs."
"Your actions can make a difference when it comes to influencing kids against using drugs."
|
- Incorporate substance abuse prevention messages into your sermon series, homilies, newsletters, media ministries, religious education and parenting classes, retreats, camps and other youth and parent events. Include articles, parenting tips or quizzes related to substance abuse prevention in your faith community's parenting publications and resources. Download a parenting/drug prevention article to place in your church or community publications.
- Launch a local campaign to promote your faith community's commitment to substance abuse prevention. Develop your own themes and messages that clearly portray the spiritual benefits of being drug-free. Consider the themes provided by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, which are based on research proven effective in changing behavior.
- Develop or customize educational material (such as study guides, curricula, training programs and modules) that puts substance abuse prevention information in the context of your religious beliefs.
- Select a day, a week or a month to celebrate your faith community's commitment to substance abuse prevention. For example, designate the month of October as "Faith is Prevention Month." Use this Web site to organize activities and events to help youth avoid the lure of substance abuse and adults to become more confident parents and mentors.
|
