"Lee, who is 15, was about to head out to a party with two new friends who are 16 and 18 years old. Lee met these new friends during the weekend before at a party. Lee doesn’t know whose party they are going to and they only know one or two others at the party. There are no parents or guardians at the party. Lee’s 18 year old friend suggest he try some of his weed vape but he’s unsure."
(I was also unable to find any pictures containing real teenagers vaping)
There are multiple potential risks within this scenario/plan. Below, several of them have been listed.
There are legal risks within this scenario. Here are some of them:
Drug Possession/Use: Possessing or using a weed vape is (probably) illegal where Lee is. Being found in possession of a weed vape could mean a potential arrest, fine, criminal record, getting into trouble with parents, et cetera.
Underage Presence: Depending on the party's nature and laws where Lee is, simply being present could have legal consequences for Lee if: Alcohol/drugs are present and/or being consumed by minors, or The party is deemed disruptive or illegal (noise complaints, drug use).
Lack of Supervision: The absence of responsible adults creates more risk. If something during the party goes wrong,
there's no accountability, and Lee would be quite vulnerable to exploitation/harm.
Impaired Judgement: With Lee consuming drugs, Lee's judgement will be impaired. Lee might make
unsafe choices (going off with strangers, engaging in risky behaviour). Also could be unable to recognize or respond to dangerous situations.
Accident/Injury: An unsupervised party, with unknown people that are also probably high raises the risk accidents (falls, fights, etc) due to impaired coordination or judgment. Also, unintentional injuries or overdoses from unknown substances (how does Lee know the THC vape is really just THC?).
Being assertive can be effective. Pretty clear and firm, shows you are not interested.
Example: "No thanks, I don't do that."
Pros: Clear, simple, direct.
Cons: Blunt.
If you are not interested in doing things similar to what is described in the scenario, you are not being forced into hanging out with people who do not share the same interests as you. Simply don't make friends with people like this.
Pros: No need to make up excuses
Cons: If you are incapable of making friends that align with your values, you might be left with no friend group. This may not be desirable.
A service that could potentially help Lee is the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), found at https://adf.org.au/. While Lee might not have a drug problem (after all, Lee was uncertain about the vape), the ADF offers a wealth of information about drugs and alcohol, including vaping, which is what Lee is facing. The ADF's website can equip Lee with factual information about weed and vaping, helping him understand the potential risks and consequences, especially as a minor. This knowledge can empower Lee to make informed decisions about whether to try the vape, even amidst peer pressure. However, the effectiveness of this approach relies heavily on Lee's initiative to seek out information and his ability to process it objectively. Below, I have compiled some dot point style pros/cons for the ADF:
Evidence-based information: The ADF provides factual information about drugs and alcohol, helping Lee avoid myths and make informed decisions.
Accessible 24/7: Lee can access the ADF website anytime, anywhere, providing him with information and support when he needs it most, even at the party if he has his phone.
Anonymous and discreet: Lee can browse the website and access information privately without having to talk to anyone, which might feel less intimidating.
Covers a range of topics: Beyond vaping, the ADF website offers information on various drugs, alcohol, and related issues, which could be helpful for Lee in the future.
Requires self-motivation: Lee needs to actively seek information from the ADF website. It won't intervene in his situation directly.
Information overload: The website contains a lot of information, perhaps too much, especially if Lee is looking for quick answers in the moment.
No direct support: While the website offers valuable information, it doesn't provide personalized advice.
Potential for misinterpretation: Without guidance, Lee might misunderstand some of the information, especially if unfamiliar with drug terminology or effects.
