High School Students (9-12)

Reaching Older Teens

High school students present unique challenges and opportunities. Many have already made decisions about drug use—either choosing to abstain or having experimented. Your role shifts from pure prevention to reinforcing good decisions and providing tools for those who may be reconsidering their choices.

Developmental Characteristics

High school students are approaching adulthood:

• Future-oriented: They're thinking about college, careers, and independence. Connect drug decisions to these goals.
• Critical thinkers: They can evaluate information and detect insincerity. Be authentic and evidence-based.
• Value autonomy: They want to make their own choices. Position yourself as providing information, not dictating behavior.
• Experiencing real consequences: They may know peers who have faced consequences from drug use. Real examples resonate.
• Stress and pressure: Academic pressure, college applications, social dynamics, and family issues create significant stress.

Key Messages for High School

Effective messaging for older teens:

• Your future is worth protecting: Drug charges, addiction, or accidents can derail college plans, career aspirations, and relationships.
• Social hosting laws: The legal consequences for providing drugs or alcohol to minors.
• Addiction science: How addiction develops and why some people become addicted while others don't.
• Helping friends: How to recognize when someone is struggling and how to help them get support.
• Recovery is possible: For students who may already be using, the message that change is possible and help is available.

Addressing Specific Concerns

Marijuana

With changing laws and social acceptance, address marijuana honestly:

• Legal doesn't mean safe, especially for developing brains
• Effects on memory, motivation, and academic performance
• Still illegal for those under 21, with real consequences
• Impaired driving is dangerous regardless of the substance

Prescription Drug Misuse

• Adderall and other "study drugs"—risks and reality of academic effects
• Opioid painkillers and the path to addiction
• Dangers of taking medications not prescribed to you

Alcohol

• Binge drinking dangers, especially alcohol poisoning
• Effects on judgment and risky behavior
• Long-term health effects with heavy use

Vaping and Nicotine

• Nicotine addiction affects the teenage brain more severely
• Unknown long-term health effects of vaping
• The tobacco industry's targeting of youth

What NOT to Say

• Don't pretend they haven't been exposed: Many have seen or been offered drugs. Acknowledge reality.
• Don't be condescending: Treat them as the young adults they're becoming.
• Don't ignore their questions: If you don't know an answer, say so and offer to find out.
• Don't use only negative messaging: Include positive messages about the benefits of staying drug-free.

Engagement Strategies

• Q&A format: Let them drive the discussion with their questions.
• Case studies: Present real scenarios for analysis and discussion.
• Guest speakers: People in recovery, medical professionals, or law enforcement can provide powerful perspectives.
• Resources, not lectures: Provide information about where to get help rather than trying to "convert" anyone.
• Respect their experience: Some may have personal or family experience with addiction. Be sensitive.

Supporting Students Who May Be Using

If a student approaches you about their own drug use:

• Listen without judgment
• Thank them for trusting you
• Connect them with appropriate resources (school counselor, treatment information)
• Do not try to counsel them yourself—you're not trained for this
• Follow any mandatory reporting requirements