Ideas for a Bulletin Board in Drug Awareness Week

Alcohol, drugs and tobacco abuse are ongoing problems addressed during Drug Abuse Week. Even though it is difficult for adolescents to say no to a peer or sibling, pictures, content and slogans on a bulletin board can teach them the dangers of drugs and how to avoid them. For your board theme, choose one or more of the suggestions outlined below.

Red Ribbons

• Start by placing red ribbons around the bulletin board and then put a picture of Enrique (Kiki) S. Camarena, in whose memory Drug Awareness Week began, in the center of the board. His photograph allows both children and teens to associate his face with that of the hero whose life ended in tragedy; also, the red ribbons and photo let students know that his brave fight was not in vain.

Alcohol

• Making no acceptable.

  Write simple slogans that warn against the abuse of alcohol. A motto such as "alcohol abuse causes accidents" might prove effective along with pictures of a car accident caused by drunk driving. In addition, a photo of a bottle of liquor with a warning sign across the label makes children aware of the potential danger.

Marijuana

• Show that marijuana isn't cool.

  Some individuals may be unaware that marijuana is harmful. Pictures and facts on the bulletin board to the contrary can dispel those myths. Consider using pictures of real teens and a brief history of one or two teens' trouble with Cannabis.

Heroin

• Many teens suffer from heroin addiction.

  Gather pictures of heroin, needles and a person who has suffered from the effects of heroin. Write simple facts about the drug's toll on human lives. List gateway drugs that lead to heroin use and describe the danger in easy to understand terms. Also, explain how quickly a boy or girl can become addicted and lose interest in school, family, friends and religion.

Tobacco

• Let kids know that smoking is unhealthy.

  Tobacco is a highly addictive drug. Gather pictures depicting this danger along with a few current facts that show the effects of tobacco on the human lungs. Use plain slogans and photos of a blackened lung to help youngsters understand the connection between tobacco and lung cancer.

Cocaine

• Cocaine is highly addictive.

  Put questions on the board asking the viewer what they know about cocaine, for example: Do you know how many teens drop out of school every semester because of cocaine abuse or addiction? Did you know that cocaine causes irreversible brain damage? Next, cut pictures from a magazine of adolescents; draw question marks on colored construction paper, cut them out and place them around the adolescents' heads; make it look as though they are trying to figure out the answers to the questions on cocaine.

Avoiding Drugs

• Teach children to just walk away.

  Cut pictures out of magazines that show a child or teen walking away from something. Next, put a picture of one of the illegal drugs on the bulletin board behind the child. Make it look as if she is walking away from drugs. Add the word No! The exclamation point drives home the message. This scenery places a picture in a student's mind that he can walk away from drug use.

Quiz and Prizes

• Quiz students on the bulletin board and award prizes.

  Encourage the class to study the bulletin board and them give them a quiz on the content. The exam helps the them to remember what they read. First prize goes to the person with the highest score. Prizes might include school supplies, art supplies or a gift certificate.