Teen Toolkit Option 1
Teen Toolkit
This toolkit aims to educate pre-teens and teens in Grades 6 - 12 about the safe use of medications and other substances in an age-appropriate manner.
Getting Started
The Generation Rx Teen Toolkit consists of multiple resources to teach our key messages, including engaging hands-on activities, games, and worksheets. This is intentional – we want to help meet the needs of local communities and give opportunities for delivering multiple educational programs to a single audience.
Ready to go? Follow these three steps:
1. Explore the key messages
featured in the GenRx Teen Toolkit
2. Review our program recommendations
to help you plan an effective educational program.
3. Browse the available toolkit resources
to build and deliver a Generation Rx program itinerary that aligns with your program goals.
Explore the Key Messages
The Generation Rx Teen Toolkit expands on Generation Rx key messages to focus on three main themes:
Discuss safe medication practices
through proper use, storage, and disposal of medication
Recognize risks
associated with medications, counterfeit pills, and other substances
Identify strategies
for lowering risk of harm associated with medications and other substances
Program Recommendations
Audience
This toolkit is appropriate for universal and selective audiences in Grades 6 – 12. Common settings to host a program include community and family-based organizations (e.g., 4-H, Scouting, religious groups), athletic programs or teams, as well as schools.
Venue
We recommend venues with flexible furniture layouts to support small group discussions and active learning. Note the venue’s available technology, as some resources are in PPT format; each toolkit resource offers suggestions for adapting delivery if technology is limited.
Group Size
The ideal group size is 25 or fewer participants, as it helps maximize interaction between facilitators and participants, which is key for implementing prevention education. If you need to engage large groups, the “Medication Safety for Teens” PPT presentation adapts well.
Toolkit Resources
This toolkit includes four primary activities, each taking 30 – 45 minutes to complete. We encourage you to select the activity that aligns with your program goal.
A typical GenRx Teen program itinerary includes:
Opening
by making introductions to welcome participants. We encourage facilitators to play a “Minute Activity” game to introduce the program.
Delivering
your selected activity or activities (listed below, classified by the primary theme emphasized and the estimated length of time).
Wrapping up
through answering questions and sharing additional resources.
| Discuss Safe Medication Practices | Recognize Risks | Identify Strategies to Lower Risks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Medication Safety for Teens" presentation (30 minutes) Facilitator guide PPT slide deck | ✓ | X | X |
| "Champions of Rx" game (45 minutes) Facilitator guide PPT slide deck | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| "Lead the Scene" skit-based activity (45 minutes) Facilitator guide PPT slide deck | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| "Plot Twist" skit-based activity (30 minutes) Facilitator guide PPT slide deck | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Sample Program Itineraries
If you are engaging pre-teens or junior high students, we suggest delivering the “Medication Safety for Teens” presentation. If you are engaging high school students, we suggest delivering the “Champions of Rx” game.
The breadth of the Teen Toolkit supports communities delivering multiple Generation Rx Teen programs to a single audience to meet local needs. Below is a suggestion for delivering a series of three sequential programs.
- Program 1: “Spelling Bee” Minute Activity to introduce the program, followed by delivering the “Medication Safety for Teens” presentation
- Program 2: “Beat the Buzzer” Minute Activity to introduce the program, followed by playing the “Champions of Rx” game
- Program 3: “List It” or “Use or Misuse” Minute Activity to introduce the program, followed by delivering the “Plot Twists” skit-based activity
Any of the “Minute Activities” typically adapt well for a tabling event. Select one or two activities relevant to your audience and offer small prizes (e.g., sunglasses, fidget toys, water bottle stickers) for participation.
Become an Ambassador
Questions about this toolkit?
Share your program ideas, planning and resource questions, or inquiries about GenRx swag.