Insights from High School Students

Insights from High School Students

Many high school students have chosen to abstain from participating in risky behaviors. Here are quotes from real high school students who are currently choosing abstinence!

Quotes to Live by:

  • “Abstinence is the best choice”
  • “Kids shouldn’t be having sex until after they are married”
  • “You can regain abstinence”
  • “I believe abstinence is a good way to prevent pregnancy and STIs. I feel I am not old enough, physically and emotionally, for a sexual relationship.”
  • “Abstinence is the best way to go”
  • “I’ve always agreed with abstinence, but I love hearing other people who have chosen abstinence because it helps me. A lot of older boys like juniors and seniors are always putting on an act and trying to get me to do sexual things. Hearing other people who have chosen abstinence helps me know I’m doing the right thing with saying no.”
  • “Being abstinent can give you more opportunities, especially during teen and young adult years.”
  • “It is important to make healthy, smart decisions, especially as a teen, to have a successful future.”
  • “Drugs and alcohol are bad for you and are addictive.”
  • “Drugs can harm you in the long run”
  • “My choices about drugs and alcohol can have a big impact on me and on other people.”
  • “I am not going to let people pressure me to do something I don’t want to do.”
  • “Stay assertive and say no when someone offers alcohol or drugs.”
  • “Stay around positive friends.”

Sometimes life has trauma and drama

“If I say Yes”

Boy: Baby let’s talk. Let’s talk about sex. We’ve been together two years so I know you won’t reject. We’re gonna’ get married anyway, so why are we waitin’? Come on, let’s just do this cuz I’m getting impatient. I’ll make your first time special if we do. I swear you won’t regret. Just put ‘ya mind to it. Say yes and we’ll make love forever. Got me waitin’ two years? We shouldn’t be together. But like I said I love you, and if we do it, I’ll love you more. We’re gonna’ die anyway. What’s the point of being pure?

Girl: If you love me, then why can’t we wait? My virginity is the only thing I own next to my name. I know if we do it, things will change. You’ll have what you want and I’ll be wondering why things aren’t the same. Nine minutes of pleasure ain’t worth raising no baby. I guess you thought I was dumb, so you had permission to play me. Stomach with a bump, walk around back bent, just got kicked out the house now I gotta’ pay rent! Maybe I won’t get pregnant, but I’m looking out for myself. All I really want is to be the best, and sex has no part in that look at the pregnancy rates. I don’t want to be a part of that. I love you, but I’m waiting. We’re not married just dating, so put your hormones to the side, because these feelings I won’t hide. But if I say no, I know you’ll go.

Boy: You’re right I will go. Thanks for letting me know. Cuz now that I’m positive I ain’t getting none, our love’s like a bullet, but we don’t have a gun. Our love is pointless, so I gotta’ say goodbye and I know this might hurt, but just let those feelings die. What’s the point of waitin’ if I could be getting some else where. I thought you were it, but sorry you’re not the one. I need a girl that wears tiny skirts, little shirts and does all the dirt. The nasty things that will get me what I want the first night. Not a nasty girl but she’ll please me just right. So why would I stick around waitin’ for you? I can have you and probably another two?!

Girl: I knew you didn’t love me. That’s why we didn’t have sex. I guess I’m supposed to cry but better the truth then living lies. Yea it hurts, but nine months will hurt more. I’d rather my heart be torn to pieces than a baby being born. What about STDs or HIV? I’m sorry, but to me, it’s not worth getting laid. Three years from now we probably not going to be together, you told me you loved me, and our love was forever. But look now, breakin’ up because we can’t have sex. You’re the fool in this one because you were sure I wouldn’t reject. If I would have said yes……

Tobacco and E-Cigarettes

Tobacco and E-Cigarettes

Tobacco refers to nicotine products like cigarettes and chewing tobacco. E-cigarettes [vaping] are battery-powered devices that provide nicotine and other additives to the user in the form of an aerosol. The nicotine in tobacco and e-cigarettes is a highly addictive drug. Both are not legal in Ohio until the age of 21.

Click images for more information:

Chemicals with vaping

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking and Tobacco Use. Retrieved November 13, 2019

Risks from smoking:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Effects Infographics. Retrieved November 13, 2019,

Smokeless tobacco

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Effects Infographics. Retrieved November 13, 2019

Can’t get a new brain

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking and Tobacco Use. Retrieved November 13, 2019

Additional sources:

US Department of Health and Human Services. E-cigarette use among youth and young adults: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; 2016

References

Graphic Sources

National Institute of Mental Health. Shareable Resources on Suicide Prevention. Retrieved November 15, 2019, from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/education-awareness/shareable-resources-on-suicide-prevention.shtml

Stop Alcohol Abuse is part of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD). 7 Warning Signs for Underage Drinking. Retrieved November 12, 2019, from: https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/resources/Infographics/share.aspx?info=16

Stop Alcohol Abuse is part of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD). Infographics. Retrieved November 12, 2019, from: https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/resources/Infographics/share.aspx?info=10

Stop Alcohol Abuse is part of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD). Underage Drinking Can Detour Academic Success. Retrieved November 12, 2019 from: https://www.stopalcoholabuse.gov/resources/Infographics/share.aspx?info=6

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is part of the National Institute of Health (NIH). Drug Overdoses Kill More Than Cars, Guns, and Falling. Retrieved November 6, 2019, from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/drug-overdoses-kill-more-than-cars-guns-falling

Scholastic and National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012). Drugs + Your Body: It Isn’t Pretty (Poster/Teaching Guide). Retrieved November 10, 2019, from: http://headsup.scholastic.com/teachers/drugs-your-body-it-isnt-pretty

Scholastic and National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2004). The Teen Brain: Under Construction. Retrieved November 13, 2019, from: http://headsup.scholastic.com/teachers/the-teen-brain-under-construction

Scholastic and National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2002) Drugs and the Body- It Isn’t Pretty. Retrieved November 12, 2019, from: http://headsup.scholastic.com/teachers/drugs-and-the-body-it-isnt-pretty

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overdose Graphics. Retrieved November 14, 2019, from: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/resources/overdose-graphics.html

Scholastic and National Institute on Drug Abuse. Marijuana: You Receive a lot of Mixed Messages. Retrieved November 14, 2019 from: http://headsup.scholastic.com/sites/default/files/block/images/NIDA9-PTG_Poster.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking and Tobacco Use. Retrieved November 13, 2019 from: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking and Tobacco Use. Retrieved November 13, 2019 from: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/index.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fecigarettes%2Findex.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Effects Infographics. Retrieved November 13, 2019, from: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/infographics/health-effects/index.htm

Text Sources:

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for Teens is part of the National Institutes of Health. (2018, May). Fentanyl: A Big Danger in Small Amounts. Retrieved November 14, 2019, from: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/fentanyl-big-danger-small-amounts

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for Teens is part of the National Institutes of Health. (2019, May). Prescription Pain Medications (Opioids). Retrieved November 15, 2019, from: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/prescription-pain-medications-opioids

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for Teens is part of the National Institutes of Health. (2018, August). Opioids: Just the Facts. Retrieved November 15, 2019, from: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/opioids-just-facts

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is part of the National Institute of Health (NIH).  (2019, September). Marijuana. Retrieved November 14, 2019, from:  https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is part of the National Institute of Health (NIH).. Drugged Driving. Retrieved November 14, 2019, from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/drugged-driving

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, November). CDC-Fact Sheets-Underage Drinking-Alcohol. Retrieved July 28, 2016, from:  http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/factsheets/underage-drinking.htm

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (2015, July).  Alcohol & Drug Information.  Retrieved on August 4, 2016 from:  http://ncadd.org/aboutaddiction/alcohol/facts-about-alcohol

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:  Summary of National Findings, NSDUH Series H50, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4927.  Rockville, MD:  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2015.

Heidelberg, U. H. (2009, June 26). From The Glass To The Brain In Six Minutes.  Retrieved July 20, 2016, from Science Daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615144339.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  (2016, March).  Fact Sheets – Age 21 Minimum Legal Drinking Age.  Retrieved July 28, 2016, from:  http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/factsheets/mlda.htm

National Institute on Drug Abuse.  (2014). Mind Over Matter: Prescription Pain Medications (Opioids).  Retrieved June 19, 2017, from http://teens.drugabuse.gov/teachers/mind-over-matter/opioids

National Institute on Drug Abuse.  (2014). Mind Over Matter: Prescription Pain Medications (Opioids).  Retrieved June 19, 2017, from http://teens.drugabuse.gov/teachers/mind-over-matter/opioids

Scholastic and National Institute on Drug Abuse.  (2016).  Prescription Pain Medications: What You Need to Know.  Retrieved on June 23, 2017, from:  headsup.scholastic.com/students/prescription-pain-medications-what-you-need-to-know

The National Institute on Drug Abuse(NIDA) is part of the National Institute of Health (NIH).  (2015, May). Marijuana Facts for Teens. Retrieved July 18, 2016 from: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-teens

US Department of Health and Human Services. E-cigarette use among youth and young adults: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; 2016. https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/2016_SGR_Full_Report_non-508.pdfpdf icon

Video Archives

Video Archives

My Story Today with Tish: Introduction – Being Empowered and Encourage

My Story Today with Tish: How You See Yourself

My Story Today with Tish: Having A Purpose

My Story Today with Tish: Values and Standards

Healthy Relationships

Relationship: Love and Respect

Make a Change for Yourself

The Simple Things