Ways To Be In Charge

Staying Out of Risky Situations

A. Avoiding the situation.

• If you know of places where people often use drugs, stay away from those places.

B. Strength in numbers.

• Hang around with nonusers, especially where drug use is expected.

C. Walk away.

• "Let's smoke some marijuana."
• Say no and walk away while saying it.

D. Cold shoulder.

• "Hey! Do you want to smoke?"
• Just ignore the person.

Getting Out of Risky Situations

E. Saying "No."

• "Would you like a drink?"
• "No."

F. Giving a reason or fact.

• "Would you like a beer?"
• "No thanks. My parents would ground me for life."

G. Changing the subject.

• "I have some cigarettes. Have one?"
• "No. Let's go play ball instead."

H. Repeated refusal, or keep saying no (skipping CD).

• "Would you like a cigarette?"
• "No. It's not me."
• "Come on!"
• "No. It's not me."

I. Use Humor

• "You want some marijuana?"
• "No. I need all my brain cells."