June 4, 2021
Teens for Healthy Youth (THY) at Bluffton High School educated their peers on the dangers of marijuana before the summer break. THY decided to do this because the summer months are a time when teens may be introduced to or try a substance, such as marijuana, for the first time. In addition, the data from the SC Communities that Care Survey indicated that youth did not perceive marijuana as dangerous as other substances such as alcohol. Also, THY members reported that many of their peers had myths regarding marijuana and needed the facts on the dangers and risks of marijuana. THY members developed myth and fact cards on marijuana. For instance, one of the Myth cards read, “You can’t get addicted to marijuana!” and the corresponding fact card had an infographic from NIDA that said, “One in ten people who use marijuana will become addicted.” To encourage their peers to pay attention to the facts, THY attached Smarties candies to the fact card and Dum-dums lollipops to the myth side. Likewise, the information is attached to a THY Bluffton water bottle to create awareness about THY. Bottles were distributed to Bluffton High students and rising 9th graders at McCracken Middle School, reaching approximately 1,200 students. THY is dedicated to engaging in peer-to-peer prevention education year-round.
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