Warm Up: Risk Radar

Think about a time you took a risk, big or small. What made it feel risky? What was the outcome?

Alternatively, consider this: What is the riskiest thing you can think of that someone your age might do? Why is it risky?

Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class!

Discussion: Value Vetting

Instructions: In small groups or as a class, discuss the following questions. Be prepared to share your group's insights.

1. What are some of your most important personal values (e.g., health, family, success, safety, reputation, independence)? List at least three.
   
   
   

2. How might these values influence the way you perceive different types of risks? For example, if you value your health, how might you view activities that could harm your body?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Consider a situation where someone might take a risk that goes against one of your values. Why do you think they might still choose to take that risk?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Can personal values change over time? How might these changes affect a person's risk-taking behavior?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Activity: Consequence Cards

Instructions:

1. Work in small groups (3-4 students).

2. Each group will receive several blank index cards or slips of paper.

3. Brainstorm as many possible negative consequences of substance use (e.g., alcohol, nicotine, illicit drugs) as you can think of. Write one consequence per card.

4. Consider consequences across different areas of life:

   • Health (physical, mental, emotional)
   • Social (relationships, reputation)
   • Academic/Future (school, career, goals)
   • Legal/Financial (arrests, fines, debt)
   • Safety (accidents, injury)

5. Once your group has a good number of cards (aim for at least 10-15), categorize them into the following groups:

   • Highly Probable: Very likely to happen if substance use occurs.
   • Moderately Probable: Fairly likely to happen, but not guaranteed.
   • Possible but Less Probable: Could happen, but is less common or requires specific circumstances.

6. Be prepared to share your categories and a few examples from each with the class, explaining why you placed them in that category.

Worksheet: Risk-Reward Rundown

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

Part 1: Defining Risk

1. In your own words, explain the difference between a possible risk and a probable risk.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Give one example of a possible risk that is not probable, and one example of a probable risk. These do not have to be related to substance use.

   • Possible, but not probable:
     
     
     
   • Probable:
     
     
     

Part 2: Analyzing Scenarios

Read each scenario and answer the questions that follow.

Scenario A: Your friend invites you to a party where you know there will be alcohol and vaping. You're underage, and you know your parents would be upset if they found out. You're also worried about getting in trouble with the school.

3. What are the potential rewards or positive outcomes (even if short-term) of attending this party?
   
   
   
   

4. What are the potential risks or negative consequences of attending this party, especially if you engage in substance use? Categorize them as 'Highly Probable,' 'Moderately Probable,' or 'Possible but Less Probable.'
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. How might your personal values (e.g., academic success, family trust, health) influence your decision in this scenario?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Scenario B: You are feeling stressed about a big exam and a friend offers you a pill, saying it will help you focus and stay awake to study. You're not sure what the pill is, but your friend says they've used it before.

6. What is the perceived reward or benefit of taking the pill?
   
   
   
   

7. What are the potential risks or negative consequences of taking this unknown pill? Categorize them as 'Highly Probable,' 'Moderately Probable,' or 'Possible but Less Probable.'
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. What decision-making skills could you use in this situation to make a safe and responsible choice?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Game: Decision Dilemma Dash

Instructions:

This is a quick-thinking game! The teacher will present a series of hypothetical scenarios. For each scenario, you will have a short amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds) to decide what you would do and why. Be ready to share your choice and reasoning.

How to Play:

1. Listen carefully to each scenario presented by the teacher.
2. Individually, think about the situation and what decision you would make. Consider the immediate and long-term consequences.
3. Mentally (or on a small piece of paper) formulate your decision and your reasoning. You won't write a long answer, just key points.
4. When prompted, be ready to quickly share your decision and a brief explanation of why you chose that path.

Scenarios (Teacher will present these, use them as discussion starters):

• Scenario 1: The Online Dare
  A popular online challenge involves doing a risky stunt and posting it. All your friends are doing it and pressuring you to join in. If you do it, you'll gain a lot of followers and look cool.

  • Decision:
    
    
    
  • Why?
    
    
    

• Scenario 2: The Stressful Study Session
  You have a huge test tomorrow, and you're feeling overwhelmed. A classmate offers you an energy drink they say helps them focus for hours, but you know it contains a lot of unknown ingredients and makes them jittery.

  • Decision:
    
    
    
  • Why?
    
    
    

• Scenario 3: The Secret Party
  Your older sibling is having a party while your parents are out of town. You're specifically told not to invite your younger friends, but a couple of them show up. There's alcohol available, and your friends are asking you to let them have some.

  • Decision:
    
    
    
  • Why?
    
    
    

• Scenario 4: The Vaping Pressure
  You're in the school bathroom, and a group of popular students are vaping. They offer you a puff, saying, 'Everyone does it, it's no big deal.' You've always wanted to fit in with this group.

  • Decision:
    
    
    
  • Why?
    
    
    

Debrief Questions:

• How did it feel to make these decisions quickly?
• What factors influenced your choices the most?
• How did considering the consequences help you?
• What role did your values play in your decisions?

Answer Key: Risk Resolution Review Answer Key

Worksheet: Risk-Reward Rundown - Answer Key

Part 1: Defining Risk

1. In your own words, explain the difference between a possible risk and a probable risk.

   • Possible Risk: An event or outcome that could happen, but is not necessarily likely. It has a chance of occurring. (e.g., winning the lottery, being struck by lightning).
   • Probable Risk: An event or outcome that is likely to happen given certain conditions or actions. It has a high chance of occurring. (e.g., getting a sunburn if you don't use sunscreen, failing a test if you don't study).

2. Give one example of a possible risk that is not probable, and one example of a probable risk. These do not have to be related to substance use.

   • Possible, but not probable: Winning an Olympic medal, becoming a famous movie star, being mistaken for a celebrity.
   • Probable: Getting a cold if you're exposed to someone sick and don't wash your hands, falling if you walk on ice without caution, getting a speeding ticket if you consistently drive over the limit.

Part 2: Analyzing Scenarios

Scenario A: Your friend invites you to a party where you know there will be alcohol and vaping. You're underage, and you know your parents would be upset if they found out. You're also worried about getting in trouble with the school.

3. What are the potential rewards or positive outcomes (even if short-term) of attending this party?

   • Social acceptance/fitting in, having fun with friends, feeling grown-up, experiencing something new, avoiding FOMO (fear of missing out).

4. What are the potential risks or negative consequences of attending this party, especially if you engage in substance use? Categorize them as 'Highly Probable,' 'Moderately Probable,' or 'Possible but Less Probable.'

   • Highly Probable: Parental disappointment/punishment, feeling sick/hangovers, poor judgment leading to other risks, school disciplinary action, legal trouble (minor in possession), damaging reputation.
   • Moderately Probable: Peer pressure to engage in further substance use, memory loss, accidental injury, making choices you later regret.
   • Possible but Less Probable: Addiction (after one event), serious health complications (from one event), car accident (if driving under influence, though not stated if student would drive).

5. How might your personal values (e.g., academic success, family trust, health) influence your decision in this scenario?

   • If you value academic success, you might avoid the party to ensure you're rested and focused for school, or to avoid getting in trouble that could affect your grades or college applications.
   • If you value family trust, you would likely avoid lying to your parents or engaging in behavior that would break their trust.
   • If you value health, you would avoid alcohol and vaping due to their known negative impacts on physical and mental well-being.

Scenario B: You are feeling stressed about a big exam and a friend offers you a pill, saying it will help you focus and stay awake to study. You're not sure what the pill is, but your friend says they've used it before.

6. What is the perceived reward or benefit of taking the pill?

   • Improved focus, staying awake longer, getting a better grade on the exam, relief from stress/anxiety.

7. What are the potential risks or negative consequences of taking this unknown pill? Categorize them as 'Highly Probable,' 'Moderately Probable,' or 'Possible but Less Probable.'

   • Highly Probable: Unintended side effects (jitters, anxiety, crash), not knowing the dosage or ingredients, illegal possession of prescription drugs, feeling unwell during the exam, addiction risk if it's a controlled substance.
   • Moderately Probable: Negative interaction with other medications, overdose (especially if mixed with other substances), severe anxiety or paranoia, getting caught.
   • Possible but Less Probable: Long-term health damage (from a single use), death (though possible, less probable from one unknown pill than repeated abuse or specific dangerous drugs).

8. What decision-making skills could you use in this situation to make a safe and responsible choice?

   • STOP and THINK: Don't act impulsively.
   • GATHER INFORMATION: Ask what the pill is, research its effects, ask a trusted adult.
   • CONSIDER CONSEQUENCES: Think about all the risks identified above.
   • IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVES: What else could you do to study or manage stress (e.g., take a break, get more sleep, ask for help from a teacher, healthy coping mechanisms)?
   • SEEK ADVICE: Talk to a trusted adult (parent, counselor, teacher).
   • SAY NO: Clearly and confidently decline the offer.

Quiz: Risk Resolution Review - Answer Key

1. Which of the following best describes how personal values influence risk perception?

   • Correct Answer: Values can make some risks seem more or less acceptable.
   • Explanation: Our core beliefs and what we prioritize (e.g., health, safety, family) directly shape how we view the severity and acceptability of potential risks.

2. What is the key difference between a possible risk and a probable risk?

   • Correct Answer: A possible risk could happen, while a probable risk is likely to happen under certain conditions.
   • Explanation:

Cool Down: One-Word Wisdom

Instructions: Before you leave, reflect on today's lesson about risk-taking and substance use.

What is one word or a short phrase that summarizes your main takeaway or biggest learning from today's discussion and activities?

Write your word/phrase on a slip of paper, an index card, or be prepared to share it aloud as an exit ticket.

Game: Decision Dilemma Dash

Instructions:

This is a quick-thinking game! The teacher will present a series of hypothetical scenarios. For each scenario, you will have a short amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds) to decide what you would do and why. Be ready to share your choice and reasoning.

How to Play:

1. Listen carefully to each scenario presented by the teacher.
2. Individually, think about the situation and what decision you would make. Consider the immediate and long-term consequences.
3. Mentally (or on a small piece of paper) formulate your decision and your reasoning. You won't write a long answer, just key points.
4. When prompted, be ready to quickly share your decision and a brief explanation of why you chose that path.

Scenarios (Teacher will present these, use them as discussion starters):

• Scenario 1: The Online Dare
  A popular online challenge involves taking a large amount of a common over-the-counter medication to see

Game: Decision Dilemma Dash

Instructions:

This is a quick-thinking game! The teacher will present a series of hypothetical scenarios. For each scenario, you will have a short amount of time (e.g., 30 seconds) to decide what you would do and why. Be ready to share your choice and reasoning.

How to Play:

1. Listen carefully to each scenario presented by the teacher.
2. Individually, think about the situation and what decision you would make. Consider the immediate and long-term consequences.
3. Mentally (or on a small piece of paper) formulate your decision and your reasoning. You won't write a long answer, just key points.
4. When prompted, be ready to quickly share your decision and a brief explanation of why you chose that path.

Scenarios (Teacher will present these, use them as discussion starters):

• Scenario 1: The Online Dare
  Your favorite influencer posts a video doing a dangerous