6.ATOD+3.1

6.ATOD 3.1 Use effective assertive refusal skills to avoid pressure to use alcohol and other drugs.Some people may lack self-confidence or the necessary skills to refuse alcohol and drug use when pressured. Adolescents must recognize direct and indirect attempts of pressure and respond assertively through the use of refusal skills. Refusal skills can include saying no assertively and confidently using “I messages” (I am not interested, No thanks, I don’t drink…, I do not want to) walking away from a tempting situation (I have to go home, I have to be somewhere in five minutes, I am meeting someone), suggest a healthy alternative (let’s go to hang out with…, I want to watch the new …, let’s find something better to do), and make an excuse or give a reason not to use and leave the situation (I’m allergic, I have a health condition this is affected by…, I will lose my spot on the team). Skills are learned behaviors and just as athletes, teachers, and doctors must practice specific skills in order to improve performance, students will need opportunities to develop and practice refusal skills.
 * The student will identify direct and indirect social pressure to use alcohol and other drugs.
 * The student will practice using a variety of refusal skills to social pressures in safe, well constructed, and controlled classroom situations.
 * The student will effectively apply realistic refusal skills that can effectively be used in a social pressure situation.