Your school district provides substance use and abuse education to all students in grades K-12. As part of this education, they have asked some older students to create a skit for the middle school students. You’ve been asked to create a skit surrounding a situation in which kids face peer pressure involving drugs and alcohol. Several students stand up to the peer pressure, and they provide information in defense of their decision.
Title: Standing Strong: Peer Pressure and Substance Use
Characters:
- Emily: a middle school student who is being pressured to try drugs and alcohol
- Jason: a confident and assertive student who stands up against peer pressure
- Sarah: a supportive friend who encourages Emily to make the right decision
- Peer Pressure Group: a group of students trying to get Emily to try drugs and alcohol
Scene:
(Emily is sitting alone at a table in the school cafeteria. The Peer Pressure Group approaches her.)
Peer Pressure Group: Hey Emily, do you want to come to a party with us this weekend? We’ve got some really cool stuff to try.
Emily: Um, I’m not so sure…
Peer Pressure Group: Come on, it’ll be fun! Don’t be a buzzkill.
Sarah (approaching): Hey Emily, what’s going on?
Emily: Oh, they want me to go to a party with them and try drugs and alcohol.
Sarah: That doesn’t sound like a good idea. You know it’s not safe and it’s not worth the risk.
Jason (approaching): She’s right. Peer pressure can be tough, but it’s important to stand up for what you believe in.
Peer Pressure Group: What’s the big deal? Just one drink won’t hurt…
Jason: Actually, it can hurt a lot. Alcohol and drugs can have serious consequences on our health, our relationships, and our future. It’s not worth the risk.
Sarah: And it’s okay to say no. You don’t have to follow what everyone else is doing. Your health and well-being are more important.
Emily: You guys are right. I don’t want to risk my future and my health just to fit in or make someone else happy. I’m going to stand strong and say no.
Peer Pressure Group: Fine, suit yourself. We’ll find someone else to join us.
(Jason, Sarah, and Emily stand united as the Peer Pressure Group walks away. They share a supportive smile.)
Jason: You did the right thing, Emily. It takes courage to stand up to peer pressure, but your health and well-being are worth it.
Sarah: We’re here for you, always. And remember, it’s okay to say no and make your own choices.
Emily: Thank you both. I’m grateful to have friends like you who helped me make the right decision. I’m proud to stand strong against peer pressure.
(The three friends share a hug as the scene fades to black.)
End of skit.
How can peer pressure work to influence both healthy and unhealthy behaviors? How is this demonstrated in your script?
What strategies did your character(s) use to avoid drugs and alcohol? How effective were these strategies and why? Could you apply these same skills to avoid other risky situations involving topics like violence, gangs, and weapons? How so?
What types of refusal, negotiation, and collaboration skills were demonstrated in the script? How effective were these skills and why?
Peer pressure can influence both healthy and unhealthy behaviors by either encouraging individuals to make positive choices that align with their values and beliefs or pressuring them into engaging in risky or harmful activities to fit in or gain acceptance.
In the script, the Peer Pressure Group tries to influence Emily into trying drugs and alcohol by appealing to her desire to fit in and be seen as cool. However, Jason and Sarah provide a counter-influence by highlighting the risks and consequences of substance use and encouraging Emily to stay true to herself.
Emily, with the support of Jason and Sarah, uses several strategies to avoid drugs and alcohol, including assessing the situation, seeking support from friends, and asserting her own boundaries. These strategies are effective in empowering Emily to make an informed decision and resist peer pressure. These same skills can be applied to avoid other risky situations involving topics like violence, gangs, and weapons by assessing the risks, seeking support from trusted individuals, and standing firm in one's values and beliefs.
In the script, refusal skills are demonstrated when Emily declines the invitation to try drugs and alcohol, negotiation skills are used when Jason and Sarah provide alternatives and support, and collaboration skills are showcased when the three friends come together to make a united stand against peer pressure. These skills are effective in helping Emily navigate the situation and make a healthy choice because they empower her to assert herself, seek support, and work together with her friends to resist negative influences. By applying these skills, individuals can effectively navigate various risky situations and make informed decisions that align with their values.