SAMPLE PRESENTATION TO HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
Song for Charlie has been approached by many people asking for help creating fake pill awareness presentations to give to middle and high schoolers. In response to those requests, we have created a presentation template free for all to use. While we think this is a great way to reach all of the students in a school, it is best paired with in-classroom lessons when possible.
This presentation template is intended to be a tool for people interested in educating students about fentanyl/fake pills and is best when combined with in-classroom education.
The slides in this presentation template can be used as it, or in combined with other presentation material. User has permission to change the order of the slides in this presentation, or delete slides if desired.
The content of each individual slide should not be changed, including the SFC logo and copyright information. If slides are added, the SFC logo/copyright should not be added to the new slides.
Do your homework. Make sure you have a good understanding of the fake pill/fentanyl landscape and be ready to answer questions.
Watch the SFC video (or others if they are available) to see what a high school presentation could look like. (note, the presentation video above uses a slightly different deck of slides than the presentation provided on this website. The slides were changed/improved based on learnings from presentations to middle/high schools.
Create you presentation.
Plan to keep it short—we recommend HS presentations to be 20-25 minutes, with some time at end for Q&As.
I an a large group presentation, it is best to keep the slides simple in order to ensure your main message gets across and to maintain the interest of your audience.
Mix presentation, video, & activities if possible. If there is an opportunity to follow-up with small group discussions or do other activities, do so!
Start with the punchline— then share information and repeat the main message you want kids to remember.
Pictures of actual young victims of fentanyl poisoning are impactful.
If you are willing/able to, share your personal story.
Include local data/statistics if possible so audience understand that people are dying in their community.
Drug education is complex and this should be part of your schools’s overall approach focused on skills and habits, awareness, healthy environments and behaviors, etc. A single fear-based message won’t be likely to affect any long term outcomes. Give kids straight-forward information about fake pills/fentanyl at their level. Don’t just say ‘don’t do drugs’. Instead say ‘these drugs are not what you think they are’. Kids don’t want to be duped, ripped off, or lied to.
Practice, practice, practice!
Make sure you check out your digital equipment set up ahead of time, or have someone do it for you.
Good luck with your presentations! If you use our presentation template (or portions of it), please contact Jennifer@songforcharlie.org and let us know how your presentation goes. We’d love to hear where you are sharing the information, as well as how it is being received by your audience. Also, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any suggested changes to the slides.
