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“Brenda
was super nice and super funny, but she made me think about
drugs in a way I’ve never thought about them before
– It wasn’t the typical “Drugs are bad,
drugs will kill you.” She really asked us to think about
our lives and what’s important to us and whether we
want to risk losing it. I hope she comes back again next year.“
Student – St. Dominic’s School, Portugal. |
“Her
straightforward, occasionally irreverent approach put the
audience at ease, yet her simple, practical message contained
real depth and wisdom. It was a very worthwhile evening.”
Tom Reid – Headmaster, St. Paul’s School for
Boys
“She
was funny, lively and very sincere – an approach that
makes parents feel comfortable with a topic of such seriousness.
One of her strongest messages was that all of us need to be
more cognizant of supporting the kids who are not using alcohol
or other drugs – they are the ones who have the ability
to influence their peers’ attitudes towards substance
use.”
Lynn Plack – parent, Bryn Mawr School
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STUDENT
SEMINARS
All material
is age appropriate and designed for grades 8 – 12.
Topics
of Discussion:
Alcohol
– sober in high school, successful in life
- Adult
social drinking vs. adolescent bingeing; approaching alcohol as
a beverage rather than a drug.
- What
is the likelihood of a teen being a true social drinker?
- Postponement
as a viable option.
Tobacco – the most addictive substance on the planet
-
Media manipulation – a marketing strategy that targets youth
- Social
rewards – the empty promise
- How
nicotine changes the brain and the agony of quitting
Marijuana Today – sifting through the mixed messages
-
Dispelling the myth that marijuana is not addictive
- Marijuana
as medicine – how does this apply to people who are not
ill?
- Recognizing
THC as a potent psychoactive agent
Addiction – who’s at risk?
-
Genetics, environment and the power of perception
- All
use poses a risk of dependence
- Damaged
relationships as first sign of trouble
Peer
Intervention – friends steering friends toward health
- Alternatives
to enabling behavior
- Learning
language for compassionate confrontation
- When
is it time to involve an adult?
Non-use – the joys and challenges
- What inspires us to take good care of ourselves?
- How
can adults support kids who choose not to drink?
- Bringing out the diversity amongst non-users and giving them a voice
Brenda also offers assemblies and workshops for
various student groups: peer educators, student government, athletes,
dorm leaders, etc.
Each
school has unique needs and the presentations can be tailored accordingly.
FACULTY
SEMINARS
- Validating the Non-Using Student
- Latest Developments in Adolescent Alcohol and Other Drug Use
- Strategies for Developing Student Assistance Teams
- Faculty Intervention Strategies for Students at Risk
- Consultation on ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs) School Policy and Handbook
PARENT SEMINARS
All research points to parental involvement as being the single
most important factor in an adolescent’s relationship to alcohol.
Drug-free kids cite parental disappointment as the #1 reason for
their choice not to use…
- Drug Education 101 – You Should know as Much as They Do
- A Glimpse Into Adolescence
- Role Modeling
- Effective Strategies for Parent/Child Communication
- Boundaries: How to be an Ally Rather Than a Friend
- Supporting the Non-Using Child – Creating an Environment That Invites Your Child to Choose Abstinence
- Early Intervention
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