Promote a Drug-Free Living with a Cause and Effect Paper Chain

Make a difference in your community and fight the war on drugs! This October, celebrate National Red Ribbon Week with activities from Teach Starter.

This drug awareness cause-and-effect paper chain activity is the perfect tool to help young people uncover the positive effects of staying drug-free and the negative consequences of using drugs. This Red Ribbon Week Cause-and-Effect Paper Chain Activity includes a set of thought-provoking scenarios that upper-grade students can relate to. These scenarios cover situations where they may face peer pressure or choices related to drugs and alcohol.

Drug Awareness Activities that Make a Difference!

This year, we encourage you to kick off Red Ribbon Week with drug awareness activities that get your students thinking about the real effects that drug use can have on their lives. In this drug-free education activity, your students will be challenged to think critically as they examine each mental health or substance abuse scenario and identify the positive or negative consequences of the character’s actions. In small groups, students will identify possible effects and write them on the paper chain strips, creating a chain of events that shows the true effects of drugs and alcohol on a relatively healthy person.

How to Use This Drug Awareness Cause and Effect Paper Chain Activity

1. Divide students into groups of 4. Give each group one sheet.
2. Each group will read the scenario and discuss the positive or negative consequences of the action described.
3. Starting with the tallest student, each student will add one possible consequence of the action described. They will then pass the paper to the right.
4. Each student adds one possible consequence to the sheet, making sure not to repeat an already-used consequence.
5. Once all strips are filled in with a consequence, each group will cut apart the strips and use tape to form a paper chain.
6. When all groups are finished forming their chain, have them share with the class.

Once connected, students will have a lengthy paper chain showing how a small choice can lead to a lifetime of consequences. With this activity, you’ll help them better understand the possible health effects of drugs and how living a drug-free lifestyle will benefit them in the long run.

Downloading Our Drug Abuse Prevention Activities is Easy!

Downloading our drug abuse prevention activities is a breeze! To get your copy, simply click the dropdown arrow on the Download button to download the PDF version of this resource. Print one copy, make your duplicates, and you’re ready to begin!

Check Out These Arts and Crafts for Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Too!

This hands-on activity is a great tool to get those important thoughts and conversations flowing in the classroom, but you don’t have to stop there! Pair this resource with one of our amazing arts and crafts for drug and alcohol awareness. Make sure you check these out and add them to your lesson plans before you go!

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