October 23-31, 2017 were the dates selected for this year’s Red Ribbon Week, themed, “Your Future is Key, so Stay Drug Free.” The Red Ribbon Campaign reports that 42% of teens who are involved in conversations surrounding drugs are less likely to use them, however, 25% of teens aren’t having those conversations (2017). In celebration of Red Ribbon Week, Christian County 4-H was invited to be a part of the conversation for Hopkinsville Middle School eighth grade students. The conversation surrounding drugs, to include alcohol, was guided by the 4-H Health Rocks program and teen activities from the National Institute on Drug Abuse website for Teens.

Health Rocks is a program implemented under the 4-H health mission mandate. Through participation in 4-H health programming, youth are two times more likely to make healthier choices as reported by the National 4-H Council (2016). Conversations, activities, and learning experiences on the topics of drugs and alcohol over the course of eight days was implemented for 263 eight grade students. Each student’s involvement was over four class periods each. 75% of the program participants reported feeling more cable of assisting others in making good decisions in regards to drugs and alcohol by the program’s end. With the trend of drug use and abuse declining in teens across the nation, 65% of the participates reported that the information was still relevant to their current lives. Outcomes reported from participants include the short-term and long-term effects of substance use and abuse, how to deal with peer pressure, how to help a peer who is dealing with contemplation of using or is actively using a drug or drinking, and that all decisions have an impact on your life now and in the future.