Question

real world health skills
make decisions imagine these two scenarios: (1) riding to a football game with a friend who texts and drives, and (2) using drugs to deal with feelings of anxiety. you do not want to be involved in either of these situations. using the decision-making process, identify a healthy decision you could make in each scenario and consider the effect on yourself and others. use accurate physical or health information to support your decision. write a narrative, record a video, or draw a comic strip explaining and demonstrating what you would do.

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explain how you wou
step of the decision-maki
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Explanation:

Scenario 1: Riding to a football game with a friend who texts and drives

1. Identify the problem: Distracted driving is unsafe and puts me, my friend, and other people on the road at risk of injury or death.
2. Gather health information: Distracted driving is a leading cause of motor vehicle crashes; taking a phone away from a driver removes the distraction.
3. Weigh options: I can either ask my friend to stop texting, offer to take their phone to hold for them, or ask to pull over and switch drivers if I am licensed.
4. Make the decision: Politely but firmly ask my friend to hand over their phone, explaining that texting while driving is dangerous for everyone in the car and other drivers.
5. Act on the decision: Say, "Hey, texting while driving is really unsafe—can I hold your phone for you until we get to the game? I don't want us to get hurt."
6. Evaluate the outcome: My friend hands over the phone, we drive safely to the game, and no one is put in harm's way.

Scenario 2: Using drugs to deal with feelings of anxiety

1. Identify the problem: Using drugs to cope with anxiety is harmful to my physical and mental health, and can lead to addiction and long-term health issues.
2. Gather health information: Drugs can worsen anxiety over time, cause organ damage, and lead to legal consequences. Healthy coping strategies include talking to a trusted adult, mindfulness, or speaking to a school counselor.
3. Weigh options: I can either use drugs (harmful), talk to a school counselor, or open up to my parent/guardian about my anxiety.
4. Make the decision: Schedule a meeting with my school counselor to talk about my anxiety and learn healthy coping skills.
5. Act on the decision: Visit the school counseling office and say, "I've been feeling really anxious lately, and I want to learn safe ways to handle it. Can we talk about this?"
6. Evaluate the outcome: I learn healthy coping techniques like deep breathing and journaling, my anxiety starts to improve, and I avoid the negative effects of drug use.

Answer:

Narrative for Scenario 1 (Texting and Driving):

It was Friday afternoon, and my best friend Jake had picked me up to drive to the high school football game. We were 10 minutes from the stadium when I noticed Jake’s eyes darting between the road and his phone, typing out a text to his girlfriend. My stomach dropped—I’d seen a video in health class about how texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to crash.

“Jake, put the phone down,” I said, my voice sharper than I meant it to be. He rolled his eyes. “Relax, it’s just one text.”
“One text is all it takes to swerve into someone,” I replied. “I don’t want to end up in the hospital because you wanted to send an emoji. Can I hold your phone for you? I’ll give it back as soon as we park.”

Jake hesitated, then sighed and handed over his phone. “Fine, you’re such a buzzkill.” But as we pulled into the stadium parking lot, he mumbled, “Thanks, though. I guess you’re right.” We walked into the game together, and I knew we’d made the safe choice—for us, and for everyone else on the road.

Narrative for Scenario 2 (Using Drugs for Anxiety):

I’d been feeling stuck for weeks. Every time I thought about upcoming exams, my chest tightened, my hands shook, and I could barely breathe. My cousin had mentioned that smoking marijuana “calmed him right down,” and when he offered me a hit after school one day, I almost said yes. But then I remembered what my health teacher had said: drugs don’t fix anxiety—they just cover it up, and make it worse in the long run.

Instead of taking the joint, I told my cousin, “I’m not feeling it today. Thanks, though.” I walked home, and after dinner, I sat down with my mom. “I’ve been really anxious lately,” I said, my voice cracking. “I don’t know how to make it stop.”

My mom pulled me into a hug. “We can talk to the school counselor tomorrow,” she said. “She helps kids with this all the time.” The next day, I met with Ms. Lopez, the school counselor. She taught me deep breathing exercises to use when I felt anxious, and we made a study schedule to help me feel more prepared for exams. After a few weeks, the tightness in my chest started to fade. I was so glad I’d chosen to ask for help instead of turning to drugs.