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What's Your Escape Plan?

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Stephen Dymond

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Personal Safety Plan Session

Students will identify potential high-risk situations involving substance use and develop a personalized, step-by-step 'escape plan' to safely exit such scenarios.

Creating a personal escape plan empowers students with a tangible strategy, boosting their confidence and preparedness to navigate challenging social situations involving substance use. This proactive approach significantly enhances their personal safety and well-being.

Audience

10th Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided journaling, and strategic planning.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Crafting Your Exit Strategy (Slide Deck), My Safe Exit Plan Prompts (Journal), and Emergency Contact & Strategy Map (Worksheet)

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

  • Review the Crafting Your Exit Strategy slide deck.
    - Read through the Personal Safety Plan Session lesson plan and My Safe Exit Plan Prompts journal.
    - Familiarize yourself with the Emergency Contact & Strategy Map worksheet and prepare any necessary printing if digital submission is not an option.

Step 1

Introduction: What's Your Escape Plan?

5 minutes

  • Begin by projecting the title slide of the Crafting Your Exit Strategy slide deck.
    - Introduce the concept of an 'escape plan' in the context of substance use situations. Emphasize that this is about personal safety and having a clear strategy.
    - Ask students: "Have you ever been in a situation where you felt uncomfortable and wished you had a clear way to leave?" (Allow for brief, anonymous hand-raising or a quick show of understanding without requiring sharing).
    - Explain the objective of the session: to create a personalized safety plan.

Step 2

Understanding Risk & Triggers

5 minutes

  • Use slides from the Crafting Your Exit Strategy slide deck to discuss common high-risk situations and potential triggers related to substance use.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion (using a think-pair-share if appropriate for individual setting) about what makes a situation feel 'risky' to them personally.
    - Prompt: "What kinds of places or social pressures might make it harder to say no or leave?"

Step 3

Brainstorming Exit Strategies

10 minutes

  • Introduce various exit strategies using the Crafting Your Exit Strategy slide deck (e.g.,

Step 4

Personalized Plan Creation

7 minutes

  • Distribute the My Safe Exit Plan Prompts journal and the Emergency Contact & Strategy Map worksheet.
    - Guide students through the prompts in the journal, encouraging them to think about their personal values, trusted contacts, and specific strategies.
    - Instruct them to begin filling out the "Emergency Contact & Strategy Map" with key contacts and a brief outline of their plan.
    - Offer individual support and guidance as students work on their plans.

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Reinforcement

3 minutes

  • Reiterate the importance of having a plan.
    - Emphasize that their 'escape plan' is a living document that can be updated as needed.
    - Encourage them to share their general idea with a trusted adult or friend, without necessarily revealing all details.
    - Collect journals and worksheets for review, if applicable, or assure students of their privacy.
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Slide Deck

What's Your Escape Plan?

Your Personal Safety Guide to Navigating Tricky Situations.

Welcome students to the session. Introduce the main idea: having a plan to leave uncomfortable situations. Ask: "Have you ever felt stuck?" No need for students to share details, just acknowledge the feeling.

What is an 'Escape Plan'?

It's a pre-thought-out strategy to safely leave situations where you feel uncomfortable, pressured, or unsafe, especially when substance use is present. It’s about:

  • Preparation: Thinking ahead
  • Empowerment: Taking control
  • Safety: Protecting yourself

Explain what an 'escape plan' is in this context. It's not about being dramatic, but about being prepared and taking control of your safety. Reiterate that this is for THEIR well-being.

Understanding High-Risk Situations

Where and when might you encounter situations involving substance use?

  • Parties or social gatherings
  • Unsupervised environments
  • Peer pressure situations
  • Places where you feel uncomfortable or unsafe

Discuss how certain places or events might increase risk. Ask students to silently consider what makes a situation 'risky' for them.

Your Exit Strategy Toolbox

Here are some ideas to help you leave:

  • The "Excuse Me" Excuse: Blame a strict parent, an early appointment, or a sudden illness.
  • The "Fake Call" Tactic: Pretend to get an urgent call from a family member.
  • The "Buddy System" Bailout: Agree beforehand with a friend to help each other leave.
  • The "Need Fresh Air" Method: Step outside for a moment and then don't return.
  • The "Lost My Phone/Wallet" Distraction: Use it as a reason to search or leave quickly.
  • Direct & Polite Refusal: "No thanks, I'm good." or "I don't do that."

Present different strategies. Emphasize that not every strategy works for everyone or every situation. Encourage them to think about what feels authentic to them.

Who's In Your Corner?

Identifying your trusted contacts is key:

  • Emergency Contacts: People you can call in an urgent situation (parent, guardian, trusted adult).
  • Support System: Friends or family who can help you stick to your plan or offer a ride.
  • Safe Word/Phrase: Create a code word with a trusted person that signals you need help or a way out without explanation.

Explain that trusted adults are a crucial part of an escape plan. This could be a parent, guardian, older sibling, teacher, counselor, or another trusted adult. Discuss safe ways to contact them.

Building Your Personal Escape Plan

Now it's your turn to create your own plan! You'll be using two tools:

  • My Safe Exit Plan Prompts: To guide your thinking and reflection.
  • Emergency Contact & Strategy Map: To map out your specific plan and contacts.

Introduce the journal and worksheet. Explain that this is their chance to create their plan. Circulate and offer individual help.

Your Plan, Your Safety

Remember:

  • Your plan is personal: It should work for YOU.
  • It's okay to change it: As situations change, so can your plan.
  • Practice makes perfect: Mentally rehearse your plan.
  • Your safety comes first: Always prioritize your well-being.

Conclude by reinforcing the value of their plan. It's about their safety and well-being. This plan can evolve.

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Journal

My Safe Exit Plan Prompts

This journal is your personal space to think through and create your strategy for safely exiting uncomfortable or risky situations, especially those involving substance use. Be honest with yourself and thoughtful in your responses. Your safety is the priority.

1. Understanding Your "Why"

Why is having a personal escape plan important to you? What feelings or concerns motivate you to be prepared?













2. Identifying Your Triggers

Think about situations, places, or even feelings that might make you vulnerable or uncomfortable regarding substance use. Describe 2-3 specific scenarios you want to be prepared for.













3. Brainstorming Your Strategies

From the strategies discussed, or ideas of your own, list 2-3 specific ways you could realistically excuse yourself or leave a situation. Think about what you would say or do.













4. Your Trusted Team

Who are 1-2 trusted adults or friends you could contact if you needed help or a ride? What is their role in your plan? (e.g., "Mom: Call for a ride, no questions asked.")













5. Your Go-To Escape Line

What is one simple phrase or action you can use to initiate your exit, either to someone else or to yourself? (e.g., "I just remembered I have to be somewhere," or checking your phone and saying "Gotta go!")







6. Personal Check-In

How does having this plan make you feel? What is one step you can take today to make sure your plan is ready?

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Worksheet

Emergency Contact & Strategy Map

This map is a quick reference guide for your personal escape plan. Fill it out clearly so you can refer to it if needed. Keep it in a safe, private place.

My Trusted Contacts

These are the people you can call when you need to leave a situation or need support.

Primary Emergency Contact

  • Name:


  • Relationship:


  • Phone Number:


  • Their Role in My Plan (what have you agreed they will do?):





Secondary Emergency Contact

  • Name:


  • Relationship:


  • Phone Number:


  • Their Role in My Plan (what have you agreed they will do?):





Trusted Friend/Buddy (if applicable)

  • Name:


  • Phone Number:


  • Our Safe Word/Signal (if you have one):


My Top 3 Exit Strategies

These are the specific ways you will leave a situation you feel uncomfortable in.

  1. Strategy 1:





    • What I will say/do:





  2. Strategy 2:





    • What I will say/do:





  3. Strategy 3:





    • What I will say/do:





High-Risk Situations I Want to Avoid/Manage

List 2-3 types of situations or locations where you might feel pressured or at risk, and how your plan applies.

  1. Situation/Location:


    • How my plan helps here:





  2. Situation/Location:


    • How my plan helps here:





Important Reminders For Myself

  • Your safety is your priority.
  • It's okay to say NO.
  • You don't need a detailed explanation to leave.
  • If your plan doesn't feel right, change it!
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