AN HONEST CONVERSATION
According to a Pew Research poll, 55% of Americans view drug abuse as a national crisis. This staggering statistic poses a pressing question, what is being done to educate individuals about substance use and abuse? For years, the answer to this question was nothing, or worse DARE programs or curriculums similar in nature would provide students with fear tactics or simply false information.
When I ask students, “what have parents, teachers, or other adults told you about drugs?” the most common responses are: “don’t do them, they are bad for you, you can get addicted, or they can ruin your life.” Unfortunately, when I ask “why,” they are at a loss for words and, chances are, so are the people who provided them with the answers.
The only thing worse than no information is misinformation. Thus, I created a presentation that focuses on the following topics:
· Brief history of drug use in society- why we perceive drugs the ways we do
· Purpose of drugs in society
· Education regarding classification of drugs
· Deeper discussion regarding opioids, cannabis use, and vaping
· What classifies addiction
· Addiction and the developing brain
· What makes an individual more likely to become addicted?
· Alternatives to substance use
After the following topics have been thoroughly discussed, I share my personal experience with substance abuse. This helps solidify the preceding information, as it describes the process of addiction in real time. For more information regarding my personal story, please visit the about me page.
SPEAKING PACKAGES
I offer several speaking packages, which include:
Full-Day Presentation- Educational presentation with students in smaller group, followed by a full school assembly where I share my story
Half-Day Presentation- Educational presentation and my story combined during a full school assembly
Two-Day Presentation- Educational presentation with students in smaller groups, followed by a full school assembly where I share my story