The UthMpact teen
coalition has taken an active role to normalize
perceptions regarding risky behaviors with its social norms marketing campaign “UthMpact Facts” that helps correct false
perceptions and celebrates the positives of today’s youth culture. This
powerful peer to peer approach is based on statistics among Polk County youth published
in the annual Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) that demonstrate the
reality that most youth in our community are not using alcohol,
tobacco, and other drugs.
Often, the perception by youth is the exact opposite. They believe that most of their peers are drinking and using marijuana; they may also think that is true of most adults. If perception is that drinking and using drugs is what most of the population does, youth rates will increase.
UthMpact Facts help close the gap between perception and reality by sharing proven facts that show most POLK TEENS ARE MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES by choosing NOT to drink, smoke, or use substances. This can help students avoid succumbing to peer pressure because they feel confident in making more informed personal decisions after knowing and considering all the facts. Good news is that the social norms approach works, as there has been an average 30% shift in changed perceptions!
New funding will allow UthMpact to bring UthMpact Facts to more interested middle and high schools in 2022…and hopefully even a few elementary schools!
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