The Fulton County Extension Council and 4-H Council identified tobacco, drug and alcohol abuse as a major concern for youth in our county. According to the Monitoring the Future 2017 Survey, studies showed an increase in marijuana use in grades 8^th, 10^th, and 12^th grades. Also in 8^th grades, inhalant use increased as well. With the help of the Youth Empowerment Systems grant and the Hickman-Fulton ASAP coalition, the Fulton County 4-H began programming efforts to increase youth’s awareness of the dangers of drugs, tobacco and alcohol abuse.

The 4-H Health Rocks! Curriculum fit the needs of our community perfectly, with the goal of bringing youth, families and communities together to reduce tobacco, alcohol and drug use by youth. Health Rocks! was taught to Fulton County’s Middle School 7^th and 8^th grade physical education class. A total of 75 youth participated and received a grade for the class. Throughout the lessons, students gained knowledge about the health, cosmetic effects, peer pressure, and stress of using drugs, experienced a hands-on activity about how smoking affects lung capacity and gained knowledge on the difference between legal and illegal drugs. Students also completed several scenarios in which they were offered drugs, tobacco or alcohol and were guided to make smart decisions. 

The physical education teacher enjoyed the lessons and was very appreciative of adding something new to the class that is prevalent to our students. The perception received from the 4-H Agent is that majority of the students had no clue about the illicit drugs besides cocaine and marijuana, however peer pressure among friends and dealing with life’s stressors may plague some of the students. Health Rocks! was a success because they were informed of the dangers of these drugs and learned what was fact and what was an assumption. 100% of the class said that the lesson using the balloons dealing with stress was the very best lesson because using drugs will take over your life once it starts.100% of the students said they will not use drugs. All the students in the class received a pass for completing the lessons.