According to (NIH) the National Institute of Drug Abuse website, statistics for 2022 showed twelve percent of eighth graders, twenty-point-five percent of tenth graders, and twenty-seventy point three percent of twelfth graders reported vaping nicotine in the past year. The curriculum 4-H Health Rocks was introduced to the freshman health class in an effort to reduce tobacco, alcohol, and drug use. 4-H has worked for decades to help youth develop skills such as communicating with others, being responsible decision makers, and developing an internal strength to resist risky behaviors.

The 4-H Agent taught six classes for three freshmen classrooms. Each class had its own dynamics and working relationships. The information taught was a sensitive subject because youth their age may have had experience dealing with a friend or a family member who is facing substance use. Subject matter consisted of building healthy relationships, is it legal or illegal, decision making, fact or assumption, health rocks jeopardy, media influences, cycle of addiction, vaping and others.  

The class that included the Cycle of Addiction had the most class participation. Students had their own stories and could relate to this subject because addiction can include eating to smoking to using illegal drugs. Another class that garnered great participation is the Facts and Assumptions activity and Legal and Illegal activity because many class participants had the attitude and assumption that everyone is doing it (examples vaping, smoking marijuana). The class was also excited about the opportunity to be peer counselors and teach the curriculum to middle school because it is designed to use teen volunteer leader for effectiveness.

Overall, forty-three freshman students participated in Health Rocks. The Health teacher felt as though the content was appropriate and needed for the students. Students raised questions about certain information and together we both were able to give facts and reasons. The students completed the Health Rocks survey with an overwhelming response agreeing to they learned new facts and statistics