The middle and high school years can be a minefield of difficult choices about drinking and drugs. Add to that how media and society often portray teenagers as a chewing, drinking, smoking, and pill popping generation. Perception of what others think or do can be a powerful influence at any age, but teens are the most susceptible as the opinions of peers and the pressure to fit in becomes increasingly more important. If kids are under the impression that they are among the few in their school who do not drink, smoke traditional tobacco, or use other substances, then that may become their truth and influence the choices they make.
Statistics continue to show that Social Norms Campaigns can be effective to help teens rethink their position and change perception about use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Over the past decade, UthMpact, the youth component of the drug free coalition for Polk County comprised of high school teen leaders, has taken an active role to normalize perceptions regarding risky behaviors by developing a social norm marketing campaign to share "UthMpact Facts" and promote the positives in Polk Youth Culture using current statistics collected among Polk County youth in the annual Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS)
"UthMpact Facts" share the reality that most POLK TEENS ARE MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES by choosing NOT to drink, smoke traditional tobacco, or use substances and the numbers have declined steadily since 2010 in Polk County. In fact, 83% of Polk Teens DO NOT use Alcohol - 88% DO NOT use Marijuana - 98% DO NOT use Tobacco - 90% DO NOT Vape. Knowing the truth can help kids avoid succumbing to peer pressure because they feel confident in making more informed personal decisions after knowing and considering all the facts.
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