Passage 1: Substance Abuse and School Attendance

Imagine Anna, an 11th grader who stayed out late last weekend. The next morning, she felt tired and irritable. She skipped biology class and slept through her first two periods. By the time she arrived at school, she missed an important quiz on cell structure. Anna’s grades slipped, and she felt overwhelmed trying to catch up.

When students use alcohol or other substances, even occasionally, it can create a ripple effect:

• Missed Learning: One missed class can mean falling behind on new concepts.
• Lower Grades: Incomplete notes or missed quizzes often lead to lower scores.
• Increased Stress: Playing catch-up adds pressure and anxiety.
• Fewer Opportunities: Chronic absences can harm college and scholarship prospects.

Substance use isn’t just about one night. It can change routines, disrupt sleep patterns, and make attending school regularly feel difficult. Over time, these absences add up, affecting not only grades but also relationships with teachers and peers.

Passage 2: Coping Strategies for Staying Safe

What can students like Anna do to avoid the cycle of missing school? Healthy coping strategies help manage stress and reduce the temptation to use substances.

1. Deep Breathing and Mindfulness: Taking slow, deep breaths for a few minutes can calm your mind. Apps and online videos can guide quick mindfulness exercises.
2. Talk It Out: Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or counselor. Verbalizing worries often makes them feel more manageable.
3. Engage in Hobbies: Channel energy into activities you enjoy—art, sports, music, or writing. These outlets can distract from stress and build confidence.
4. Plan Ahead: If you know a social event might involve alcohol or other substances, set a clear plan: choose a sober friend to stick with, decide on an exit time, or bring a nonalcoholic drink.
5. Remove Yourself from Risky Situations: If a gathering starts to feel unsafe, leave. Find a safe ride home or call someone you trust.

By practicing these strategies regularly, students strengthen their resilience. Over time, healthy habits replace risky behaviors, helping maintain attendance, focus, and well-being.

Show Up & Stay Safe Discussion Prompts

Session 1: Defining and Exploring Substance Abuse

1. When you hear the term substance abuse, what words, images, or experiences come to mind?
   Follow-up: Why do these associations matter when we talk about school attendance?
   
   
   
2. Think of a time someone you know missed school for reasons other than feeling sick. How might substance use create a similar or different pattern of absences?
   Follow-up: What could be the short- and long-term consequences?
   
   
   
3. After reading about Anna’s story in the Show Up & Stay Safe Reading Passages, what questions do you have about how one missed day can lead to a bigger problem?
   Follow-up: How could you help a friend in Anna’s situation?
   
   
   

Session 4: Coping Strategies in Action

1. Review the five coping strategies in the reading. Pick one and describe a real situation this week when you could use it.
   Follow-up: What might be the biggest challenge in trying it out, and how will you overcome it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. In your small group, role-play a scenario where someone suggests using substances to deal with stress (e.g., before a big test or a family conflict).
   • Identify which strategy you’ll use to stay safe.
   • After the role-play, discuss: What went well? What could you improve?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. How can mindfulness and deep breathing help you stay focused in class and reduce the urge to skip school?
   Follow-up: What daily reminder or cue could you set to practice these briefly between classes?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Session 6: Action Planning & Peer Support

1. Share your SMART goal for attendance and healthy choices.
   Follow-up: What is one concrete step you will take this week to move toward that goal?
   
   
   
2. Think of a trusted peer or adult who can support your plan. How will you ask them to help you stay on track?
   Follow-up: What will you do if you hit a setback?
   
   
   
3. Write a one-sentence commitment statement to yourself about staying healthy and showing up to school.
   Then, share it aloud with the group.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Show Up & Stay Safe Game Materials

These materials support two interactive group games: Impact Match-Up (Session 2) and Pressure Pop (Session 5).

Preparation (Teacher)

• Print and cut out all cards listed below.
• Place each card type into separate envelopes or small bags: Effect Cards, Outcome Cards, Scenario Cards.
• Bring timers or use a phone for timekeeping (optional).
• Arrange tables or floor space so each small group can spread out cards and work collaboratively.

Game 1: Impact Match-Up

Objective: Match substance effects with potential school-related outcomes and discuss connections to attendance.

Instructions

1. Divide students into small groups of 3–4.
2. Give each group a shuffled stack of Effect Cards and Outcome Cards.
3. Set a 5-minute timer.
4. Groups work together to pair each effect with the outcome they think is most closely tied.
5. When time is up, each group selects their top three matches to share and explain.

Effect Cards (cut into individual cards)

• Impaired judgment
• Slurred speech
• Memory problems
• Mood swings
• Drowsiness
• Dehydration
• Increased anxiety
• Poor sleep quality

Outcome Cards (cut into individual cards)

• Missed assignments
• Lower test performance
• Falling asleep in class
• Strained relationships with teachers
• Feeling unmotivated
• Skipping school days
• Difficulty remembering lessons
• Lower overall GPA

Game 2: Pressure Pop

Objective: Practice refusal skills by responding quickly to peer-pressure scenarios.

Instructions

1. Divide into pairs. Each pair receives a stack of Scenario Cards face-down.
2. One partner draws a card, reads the scenario aloud, and starts a 30-second timer.
3. The other partner must “Pop” out a refusal response using the four steps from Session 5 (clear no, alternative, repeat, walk away).
4. Switch roles and repeat until all cards are used (7–8 minutes total).
5. Groups briefly share their most creative or effective refusal strategies with the whole class.

Scenario Cards (cut into individual cards)

1. “Your friend invites you to drink alcohol at a party to relax before finals.”
2. “A classmate offers you prescription pills to boost energy for a project.”
3. “Someone in your group suggests vaping behind the school to ease stress.”
4. “At a gathering, friends are mixing drinks and urge you to try their cocktail.”
5. “A teammate pressures you to use stimulants to improve athletic performance.”
6. “During a late-night study session, classmates offer you marijuana to ‘chill out.’”
7. “You’re at a concert and peers encourage you to take pills they say will ‘heighten’ the experience.”

Use these materials to foster critical thinking, build refusal skills, and highlight how substance use can directly impact school attendance and success.
Good luck, and have fun playing!