Imagine that you are a news broadcaster and everyday your news items contain at least one story about a young person who did foolish things while under the influence of a drug.  These stories depress you and cause you to wonder if you as a newscaster could somehow discourage drug use, in addition to simply reporting it.  After discussing this with your station manager, you decide to write and record a 30 second public service announcement (PSA) which discourages drug use.  Your station's listening audience will hear your PSA several times throughout the broadcast day.
    You have decided to focus on just ONE DRUG and to write your PSA as if it were a discussion between two people.  One character should encourage the other to use the drug, while the second character should respond by using the REFUSAL SKILL that is taught during the unit.  Throughout your PSA, 3 facts about the drug, its effects, and possible consequences should be presented.  Be creative but brief!  You may work with a partner doing a radio announcement (tape), TV commerical (video), or a comic strip (poster).  If you choose a comic strip, you may draw the characters or cut them from a magazine and you can make up the dialogue. I will need a written script with all projects.

Refusal Skill:
Step 1: ASK QUESTIONS
What is it that you want to know?  "You want me to smoke a cigarette?"

Step 2: NAME THE TROUBLE
What is it that you don't want to do?  "No, thank you I do not want to smoke, I will get punished by my parents."

Step 3:     STATE THE CONSEQUENCES
What bad things will happen if you do what the other person wants you to do?
"If I do that, then   1. __________ 2. ________ 3.________
(this is based on your research)

Step 4:     SUGGEST AN ALTERNATIVE
What can you do instead?  "Instead, why don't we ________"

Step 5: MOVE IT, SELL IT, AND LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN
How can you make your alternative sound practical? If that dosn't work, what can you say to leave the door open?

Now make your PSA with a dialogue between two people, one offering a drug, and the other saying NO based on the refusal skill.
 

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