Middle school and high school are some of the most fun, confusing, and growth-filled times in a student’s life. The temptation for substance use is also ever-present, with vapes being the most commonly used tobacco product since 2014. The CDC reports that “in 2020, about 1 in every 5 high school students (19.6%) reported that they used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.” E-cigarette use is unhealthy and dangerous for kids, teens, and young adults whose brains are still developing. In fact, most youth don’t fully understand the long-term health effects of and dangers behind vaping, with “two-thirds of JUUL users aged 15-24 not knowing that JUUL always contains nicotine.” Additionally, underage drinking is still very present in schools. According to the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, “29% of high school students had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days, while 14% had participated in binge drinking.”
The need for prevention speakers at school has clearly increased, but traditional, old-school approaches don’t fully reach students. Substance use prevention should not only be helpful, but also fun, engaging, and long-lasting. Leaving a lasting impression on students is important so that they can develop healthy habits that carry them through graduation, college, and beyond.
Why Hire an Alcohol, Drug, and Vaping Education Speaker?
With students increasingly facing peer pressure and mental health struggles pre- and post-pandemic, it is important to equip students with positive coping mechanisms, resources, and a strong support network. Speakers should give students information to make smart choices, teach them bystander intervention to keep their friends safe, and empower them to think long-term about their future. The challenge for speakers is to do this in a way that captures student attention, doesn’t feel judgmental, and doesn’t rely on scare tactics.
What Works in Middle and High School Prevention — And What Doesn’t?
Past campaigns and methods like “Just Say No” have proven to be ineffective since they focus more on the short-term and don’t involve peer leadership. Other methods like scare tactics, telling students what to do, sharing dry statistics and facts, and testimonials from people in recovery usually aren’t as effective either. These tactics all fall short when a student uses a substance for the first time and doesn’t have their life fall apart right away.
We need to empower them with knowledge, engage them with positive opportunities, and inspire them to make great choices for their future. The most effective substance use prevention speakers will supplement a larger, long-term plan your campus has for preventing high-risk behavior. They will work with your counselors, administration , athletics, and any other interested groups to build a better campus culture. A speaker cannot fix a campus, but they can generate real change through education, engagement, and getting students involved in their campus. Our holistic program uses speakers, a prevention curriculum, and a restorative diversion program in order to be effective in reaching students.
How to Find and Choose the Right Speaker for Your Event
- Make sure the person you’re hiring has a demo video. It’s important to get a good idea of how a speaker interacts and engages with their audience.
- Know what you’d like to get out of your event. Ask your speaker how they would do that for you. You don’t just pay a speaker to perform — you want a real outcome!
- Be skeptical of any speakers that charge less than $1,000. This usually means that they’re brand new and could be trying their material out for the first time on your audience. That might be fine for a small or intimate event, but not for a larger school event meant to reach hundreds or thousands of students. A good speaker charges between $2,000 – $5,000 per engagement.
- You might be able to save money by block-booking with some other schools in your area. Title IV Grants might also be an option for funding. Every school has access to these, so be sure to check with your school board or administration.
- Ask for references. Any good presenter will have testimonials from students, teachers, and administrators who love to talk about how awesome the speaker is with students.
- Ask what separates them from other substance use prevention programs out there. Do they have a unique story or perspective? Do they focus on certain types of schools? Are they able to provide follow-up resources that will help the school be effective in supporting its students?
What Sets Vive18 Apart
Our holistic program uses speakers, a prevention curriculum, and a restorative diversion program in order to be effective in reaching students. Vive18 founder and speaker Jake White shows thousands of middle school, high school, and college-age students how to party sober. In his presentation, he emphasizes that students have the choice to have fun sober and provides ways to help keep friends safe if they choose to drink or smoke. Check out what schools have to say about Vive18!
Next Steps
We hope this has helped you feel informed and prepared to help shape the culture in your school and educate students about substance use. Whenever you are in the market for a speaker, be sure to follow the list above when making the right choice for your students. Interested in Vive18 coming to your school? Connect with us today!
