How Can Mentors Help Prevent Youth Drug Use?
Mentors play a valuable role in a mentee’s life, especially during the middle school years. Research
has shown that the key risk periods for drug abuse are during major transitions in children’s lives. When
advancing from elementary school to middle school, young people often experience new academic
and social situations, such as learning to get along with a wider group of peers. It is at this stage that
children are likely to encounter drugs for the first time.
Effective Prevention Strategies
Project ALERT is a prevention program implemented in middle schools in both Boone and Story
Counties. This program uses factual, science-based information to teach middle school students about
various aspects of substance abuse. Enforcing these prevention messages with your mentee is a way of
educating as well as providing effective discussion. The following are components covered within Project
ALERT:
Ways to Say “NO” to Drugs






Simply say “NO”
Leave the scene
Give a reason
Stand up to the pressure
Offer an alternative
Avoid the scene
Where Do Pressures to Use Drugs Come From?




Friends
Adults/Family Members
Ads/Media
Yourself
Internal and External Pressures
Internal Pressures - Material on internal pressures is included in the Project ALERT curriculum because
students often say, “No one pressures me,” yet they may still feel pressure to get involved with drugs. The
concept of internal pressures is important precisely because young people may not recognize or
understand them. Although internal pressures are felt as coming from inside ourselves, they are not
something we make up. They are a result of external experience and are felt by everyone at one time
or another. Internal pressures have three components:
1. They are generated by an environment created by other teenagers, teenage culture, the media, and a
society that uses drugs.
2. They are nonverbal (teens feel these pressures without anyone saying anything).
3. They are powerful
External Pressures – This is the pressure to use drugs that comes from others such as friends, family
members, adults, and from the media.
Media I nf l uences – Parents and peers have a large impact on youth decisions to
drink and/or
use tobacco products. However, research clearly indicates that alcohol and tobacco advertising and
marketing also have a significant impact by influencing the attitudes of parents and peers and helping
to create an environment that promotes underage use. Advertising works in the following ways:
1. Ads are very powerful. Advertisers use many sophisticated techniques to get us to drink or to smoke
cigarettes. It’s not easy to resist these messages. They make drinking or smoking look very
appealing. Huge amounts of money are spent to convince us.
2. Cigarette ads link smoking with things we all want. Cigarette ads suggest that smoking helps you
be popular and sexy and live in a wholesome, clean environment. For men, they link smoking with
being tough, macho. For women, they link smoking with being independent, liberated. But it’s not true.
3. Alcohol ads link alcohol with happy times, being sexy and rich. But alcohol doesn’t make you
popular or rich. It makes you drunk.
For More I n for mation about the Project ALERT pr ogram go to
www.projectalert.com
More Ways to Talk With Your Mentee About Drugs
Using Tea ch a b l e M ome n t s
Any moment can be a teachable moment. When you decide to use a moment to teach your mentee
something about drugs, it doesn’t have to be a long, serious talk — just a few words can do. And it’s not
a talk you have to have only once. Have it regularly.
Ha v i n g the C on v e r sa t i on
Is there a right time to talk with your mentee about drugs? Really, anytime is a great time to discuss
substance abuse. You can chat about this issue when you are:
 Having fun
 Discussing books or movies with your mentee
 Eating lunch together
 Just hanging out
L ear n i n g to REALLY Li s t e n
Listening to what your mentee has to say is very important. Building a trusting relationship will
allow your mentee to discuss difficult issues with you. When talking with your mentee, remember to:
 Encourage your mentee to feel comfortable telling you about problems they may be having and
asking you for help.
 You might try rephrasing your mentee’s comments to indicate that you have understood or give
nonverbal support and encouragement by nodding and smiling.

Use a caring tone of voice to answer your mentee and use encouraging phrases to express interest
and to keep the conversation going.
Key Ta l k i n g Point s for Me n t or s
Below are some ways to start the discussion about drug use with your mentee:
Drug and alcohol use can ruin your future and chances to…graduate, go to college, get a job, and keep
your driver’s license.
 Sometimes kids use drugs and alcohol because there are other issues going on like stress,
unhappiness and social issues. Have you thought about this?
 Are your friends using? How are you handling that? Is it hard to not use in that environment?
 You can endanger your life and the lives of others. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you!
Those TOUGH Q u es t i ons
Discussing drugs is never as easy task. Here are some ideas of what you can say if a mentee asks you a
“tough” question:
“Do people party a lot at Iowa State University?”
Sometimes people do drink alcohol while in college but this can lead to major
problems like getting sick or hurt. Sometimes when a person has had too much alcohol to drink they
do things that they wouldn’t normally do or forget what they’ve done that night. The majority of college
students don’t use alcohol to have fun.
“My mom/dad/family member smokes/drinks and he or she is fine. I don’t understand why people
think it’s such a big deal.”
It is a big deal. Adults have the choice to use alcohol or tobacco because it is legal for them but there are
still many consequences to think about such as….
 It’s illegal for someone your age and the legal consequences are quite serious.
 It’s dangerous and here are the physical consequences: getting into a vehicle under the influence,
falling, otherwise injuring yourself or others, physical limitations from being hung over or foggy,
problems with healthy brain development.
 It’s dangerous and here are the psychological consequences: You could be using alcohol or
drugs to avoid your anxiety or depression, which masks but doesn’t solve the problem.
 I remember a friend from high school/ who lost their entire life and everything that was important
to them: family, spouses, kids, jobs, self-respect, you name it to substance abuse. You might
not have a problem that serious, but there is no way of knowing whether you will or not and it is so
much easier not to put it to the test.
 I like life better without being foggy. It is so much more interesting, more vibrant, more moving,
without alcohol or drugs. I want you to have that experience.
“Did you ever drink/smoke/use drugs when you were younger?”
At some point you may be confronted with questions about what you did as a kid. If you are asked, it is
best to be honest, and if you can, connect your use to negative consequences. Answering deceptively
can cause you to lose credibility. On the other hand, if you don’t feel comfortable answering the
question, you can talk about some specific people you know that have had negative things happen to
them as a result of drug and alcohol use. However, if the time comes to talk about it, you can give short,
honest answers like these:
“When I was a kid, I took drugs because some of my friends did. I wanted to in order to fit in. If I’d
known then about the consequences and how they would affect my life, I never would have tried drugs. I’ll
do everything I can to help keep you away from them.”
“I drank alcohol and smoked marijuana because I was bored and wanted to take some risks, but I
soon found out that I couldn’t control the risks — the loss of trust of my parents and friends. There are
much better ways of challenging yourself than doing drugs.”
What If?
During your mentoring relationship your mentee may express concerns about a friend or family
member using substances. Listed below are some talking points to use with your mentee regarding these
sensitive issues:
A p a r e n t is using d r u g s … .
There are often feelings of guilt or shame about the drug or alcohol problem at home.
Let your mentee know that they are not the one that caused the problem and it isn't their fault
that their parent or caregiver has a problem.
Encourage your mentee to get involved in clubs, sports, or activities at school such as youth and hobby
clubs.
 It’s important to for your mentee to have fun and get involved with other young people.
Help your mentee to seek out a support group. Meeting other youth who understand what they are
going through will help. A support group will give your mentee a chance to talk about their feelings
in the open and listen to other teens that have gone through similar situations.
Al-Anon/Alateen –
Iowa Website: http://www.ia.al-anon.alateen.org/ Local Ames Chapter: Ames Area
AFG Intergroup - 515-257-6317
Encourage your mentee to talk with a school counselor about the situation at home.
 Often a counselor can connect your mentee with services and resources.
Be there to listen. One of the greatest gifts you can give to your mentee is to be available and
provide support.
A f r i e n d is using d r u g s … .
If your mentee is worried about a friend, it is important for he or she speak to someone in private
who is knowledgeable and reassuring such as a school counselor, juvenile court liaison, or student
assistance counselor. Telling someone isn't being disloyal to a friend. It's important to know the facts
about what's happening if your mentee plans to help.
Encourage
your mentee
to talk with his or her friend with another
friend.
Sometimes, approaching the friend in trouble with another mutual friend can make the discussion
easier since there is safety and support in numbers.
The first step in getting help is for your mentee’s friend to talk to someone about his or her alcohol and
drug use, like a school counselor. The friend needs support and understanding, and someone he or she
can trust to talk to about the problem. You can't force a friend to get help, but your mentee can
encourage and support his or her friend to seek and find professional help.
Let your mentee know that his or her friend may not want help right now and may even say or do
some hurtful things. Talk with your mentee about the difficulties about “hanging out” with someone
that is participating in self-destructive behavior. Your mentee may decide to distance herself or
himself from the friend until he or she gets help.
If your mentee decides to speak to his or her friend about their drug
use, here are some g uidelines that may help:

Make sure the timing is right. Talk to your friend when he or she is sober or straight -- before
school is a good time.

Never accuse your friend of being an alcoholic or a drug addict, but do express your concern.
Try not to blame your friend for the problem; if you do, he or she might be turned off right
away.

Talk about your feelings. Tell your friend you're worried, and how it feels for you to see him or
her drunk or high on other drugs.

Tell your friend what you've seen him or her do when drinking or using other drugs. Give
specific examples. Tell your friend you want to help.

Speak in a caring and understanding tone of voice, not with pity but with friendship.

Be prepared for denial and anger. Your friend may say there is nothing wrong and may get mad
at you. Many people with alcohol and other drug problems react this way. When confronted,
many users will defend their use, blame others for the problem, or give excuses for why they
drink or use other drugs.

Find out where help is available. You could offer to go with your friend to get help, but be
prepared to follow through. This gesture will show your friend that you really care.

You need to tell your friend that you are worried about him or her, and that someone who
can help needs to be told. Your friend might get really mad at you, but if you say nothing,
things may get worse and your friend may be in more danger.

Your friend's problem is probably hard on you, too. The situation may have left you feeling lonely
and afraid. Maybe you've thought, "What if I get my friend in trouble? What if I lose my friend
over this? What if I don't do anything and something awful happens?" It's hard to keep all of
these questions and feelings to yourself. It's important that you talk about them. You can share
these feelings with the person that you go to for help about your friend's problem. Your
school may have a substance abuse prevention counselor as well.
Dispelling Myths About Drugs
Young people develop a variety of beliefs about alcohol, some accurate and some distorted. It is
important to provide the correct information about drugs and be able to dispel myths regarding drug
use. Listed below are some common myths that many middle school students accept as true:
Myth: Alcohol gives you energy.
Nope. It's a depressant. It slows down your ability to think, speak, move, and all that other stuff you like
to do.
Myth: Switching between beer, wine and liquor will make you more drunk than sticking to one type of
alcohol.
Not true! Your blood alcohol content (BAC - the percent of alcohol in your blood) is what determines
how drunk you are. Not the flavors you selected. Alcohol is alcohol.
Myth: A cold shower or a cup of coffee will sober someone up. Nothing sobers you up but time. With
coffee, you're simply a wide-awake drunk!
Myth: It's just beer. It can't permanently damage you.
Large amounts of alcohol can do major damage to your digestive system. You can hurt your heart, liver,
stomach, and several other critical organs, as well as losing years from your life.
Myth: Marijuana is safe. After all, it is a plant and is natural.
Marijuana isn’t safe for anyone. Marijuana can impair speech, thinking, judgment, short-term
memory, coordination, and balance. It can cause drowsiness, delusions, impaired vision, severe
vomiting, headache, and dizziness, all hazards to anyone attempting to drive.
Myth: Marijuana isn’t addictive.
About 200,000 people who enter drug treatment each year report marijuana as their primary drug of choice.
Sixty percent of teens in drug treatment for illicit drugs are there because of marijuana.
Myth: If you quit smoking, you will gain weight. The truth is that many people don’t gain weight after
they’ve quit smoking. Some people reach for food when they are trying to quit instead of a cigarette.
A few extra pounds is a small price to pay for quitting smoking.
Some Signs of Youth Drug Use
PE RS ONA LI TY :

Becomes disrespectful—is verbally and physically abusive

Is angry a lot, acts paranoid or confused, or suffers from extreme mood swings

Seems depressed and less out-going than usual

Is secretive and lies about what he is doing and where he is going

Is stealing or “losing” possessions he used to value

Seems to have a lot of money or is always asking for money

Withdraws from the family and family activities
P HY S I C A L A PP E A R A NC E :

Not taking care of hygiene and grooming

Not sleeping or sleeping too much

Loss of appetite

Weight loss or weight gain

Too hyperactive or too little energy
S OC I A L A C TIV I T Y /S C HOOL P ER F OR MA NC E :

Drops old friends and activities

Is skipping school

Loses interest in school work and is getting low grades

Is sleeping in class

Loses concentration and is having trouble remembering things
SIGNS AND S Y M PTOMS OF DRUG USE:
Na r cot i c s: Lethargy, drowsiness, euphoria, nausea, constipation, constricted pupils,
breathing
slowed
A l c ohol : Slurred speech, impaired judgment and motor skills, incoordination, confusion, tremors,
drowsiness, agitation, nausea and vomiting, respiratory ailments, depression
I n h a l a n t s : Slurred speech, incoordination, nausea, vomiting, slowed breathing
Ma r i j u a n a : Mood swings, euphoria, slow thinking and reflexes, dilated pupils,
dryness of mouth, increased pulse rate, delusions, hallucinations
increased appetite,
Toba cco: Smelly hair, clothes, and breath; yellowing of teeth; coughs; increased
asthma attacks;
shortness of breath and poorer athletic performance. After only a few weeks, users of spit tobacco can
develop cracked lips, white spots, sores, and bleeding in the mouth
Drug Information Chart
Middle school students will often experiment with “gateway drugs,” which are those drugs that are readily
accessible and often lead to involvement with more harmful drugs. The following is a chart with basic
information about the drugs that middle school students most often experiment with or use:
Drug Type and
Examples
Street
Names
Packaging
Methods of
Use
Possible Effects
Stimulants
Tobacco
cigarettes,
chew and
snuff
commercial
smoked,
chewed,
inhaled
Light-headedness, decreased sense of
smell and taste; heart disease; cancer
Depressants
Alcohol
booze, liquor
commercial
Euphoria; mood swings; loss of
coordination; blurred vision; dizziness;
swallowed
nausea; vomiting; alcohol poisoning;
death
pot, grass,
weed
plastic bags
Euphoria; increased alertness; mood
smoked or
swings; elevated heart rate, respiration,
eaten
and body temp
spray cans,
household
products
inhaled
Hallucinations;
decreased
body
temperature
and
blood
pressure;
confusion; psychosis; nausea; nosebleeds;
fatigue; loss of coordination; overdose
can result in death
Cannabis
Marijuana
Inhalants
Paint, glue, gasoline,
solvents
Nitrous oxide
Amyl nitrate, Butyl
Nitrate
rush
laughing gas
small vials
inhaled
Hallucinations;
decreased
body
temperature
and
blood
pressure;
confusion; psychosis; nausea; nosebleeds;
fatigue; loss of coordination; overdose
can result in death.
snappers,
small vials
inhaled
Hallucinations;
poppers,
locker room
decreased
body
temperature
and
blood
pressure;
confusion; psychosis; nausea; nosebleeds;
fatigue; loss of coordination; overdose
can result in death
Prescription Drugs
Medications – Such as
cough or cold
medicine, Ritalin, or
pain relievers
pharming,
robo
pill bottles
Hallucinations;
increased
body
temperature; confusion; paranoia; nausea;
swallowed
fatigue; loss of coordination; overdose
can result in death
Resour ces for Mentor s
General Substance Abuse Information:
Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Resource Center: http://www.addict-help.com/drugabuse.asp
Street Drugs: http://www.streetdrugs.org/
The Partnership for a Drug Free America: http://www.drugfree.org
Parents, The Anti-Drug: http://www.theanti-drug.com/
Drug Free A-Z: http://www.drugfreeaz.com/index.html
Health Central: http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/000944.cfm
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/ National
Families in Action: http://www.nationalfamilies.org/
Tobacco:
Smoking & Tobacco Use: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/
American Lung Association: http://www.lung.org/
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids: http://tobaccofreekids.org/
Alcohol:
Center for Science in the Public Interest: http://www.cspinet.org/booze/FactSheets/youth.htm (youth and
alcohol statistics and facts)
Alcohol and Drug Information: https://ncadd.org/for-the-media/alcohol-a-druginformation
Marijuana:
The Facts About Marijuana: http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/marijuana
Inhalants:
National Inhalant Prevention Coalition: http://www.inhalants.org/
Foundation For A Drug-Free World: http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/inhalants.html
Prescription Drug Abuse: Partnership
for a Drug-Free America:
http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/DrugIssue/Features/Prescription_Medicine_Misuse Teen
Health: http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/prescription_drug_abubse.html
Resource Directory - Boone and Story Counties
Boone County http://www.boone.lib.ia.us/doresearch/guide/boone-communityresources/Boone%20Co%20Community%20Resources.
pdf/view?searchterm=boone+county+resources
Story County
http://www.vcstory.org/s
cntycommunityservice