March 19th, 2017

VIRTUS Night- Substance Abuse BSAFE

“I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1

Outline:

5:30-6:30pm: Youth Mass

6:30-7:00pm: Snacks, icebreakers, opening prayer

7:00-7:10pm: Talk about Alive in You

  • Show promo video

7:10-7:20pm: Introduction to the night

  • Tell the teens that tonight is our VIRTUS night where we talk about hard issues that can come up in our lives.
  • Say the following:
  • Tonight we will be talking about drug and alcohol abuse
  • We have a video with testimonies from recovering addicts sharing their stories about their substance abuse.
  • It’s called BSAFE and it stands for Battling Substance Abuse for Everyone. It’s made by the Texas Young Lawyers Association
  • Tonight we will watch the video and then discuss it in our small groups.
  • Have a team member share a short [5min] story about someone they know overcoming a drug addiction or how substance abuse negatively affected someone’s life. Share this story to remind the teens how important it is to pay attention to the video.

7:20-7:45pm: BSAFE Peer-to-Peer video

  • Watch on Sharon Bush’s CD or at the video link below:

7:45-7:55pm: Transition to small groups

7:55-8:30pm: Small Groups

March 19th, 2017

VIRTUS Night- Substance Abuse BSAFE

Small Groups

“I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1

**Will start with Large Group presentation in the dining room**

  1. Welcome the teens and invite them to take their seats
  2. Take attendance
  3. Discuss the following questions:
  4. Often we think of heavy drug abuse happening in certain areas or to certain groups of people. Were you surprised to see how diverse the group of recovering addicts was? Have you ever thought about drug abuse happening close to you?
  5. Why were the individuals in thevideo always looking for the next “high?” Why did they start one drug and then rapidly move on to another?
  6. Do you think some people are more prone to addictions than others? What are some warning signs for people that might be more likely to form an addiction to drugs or alcohol?
  7. One of the recovering addicts talked about how he started drugs because he liked doing them but then it changed into he HAD to do drugs because he couldn’t live without them. How close do you think those lines are? What is the best way to prevent this from happening?
  8. Have you seen or heard of signs of drug abuse at your school? How do you know it is happening?
  9. What should you do if you suspect a friend is using drugs?
  10. Ask the teens if anyone is comfortable sharing a story about someone they know who was affected by substance abuse
  11. If no one wants to speak then feel free to share about someone you know who was affected. Include the warning signs and what they had to do to get better, if they ever got better.
  12. Hand out the worksheets and give the teens some time to work on them.
  13. Discuss them as a class and write the “things that are better to do than drugs” answers on the board.
  14. Ask the teens if there is anything else they have questions about with this subject. HSY small groups- feel free to discuss how your topic relates to tonight’s theme.
  15. Close in prayer
  16. Pray together the prayer for those suffering from addictions. The teens have it on their worksheet and you have it listed on the back of this sheet.

Prayer for those suffering from additions:

Lord God you have all power to heal those who are struggling with the devastating disease of addiction. We pray you would intercede in their lives and flood their eyes with light so they can know and understand the hope to which You have called them. Give them strength and courage take away their fears, grief, anxieties, and resentments. Send your word God heal them, rescue them from the pit of destruction. Allow them to live and not die. Heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds curing all of their pains and sorrows. Allow them to hear your call, allow them the grace to never ever give up and to always stay focused on you... Fill their hearts with your word, for your word is life to all who find it and health for the whole body, mind, and spirit... I pray these things in Jesus Holy Name...Amen

BSAFE

Battling Substance Abuse for Everyone

These are some warning signs I should look for if my friends are using drugs:

Why it’s better to never start using drugs rather than try and beat an addiction later:

Things that are better to spend my time doing than drugs or alcohol:

Suicide Prevention:

Emergency: 911

National Suicide Prevention Line:

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

TTY 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)

Red Nacional para la Prevención de Suicidio:

1-888-628-9454

Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas:

214-828-1000

International Suicide Prevention WIKI:

Crisis Help/ When you need someone to listen:

Texas Youth Hotline: 1-800-98YOUTH

(989-6884)

Texas Runaway Hotline: 1-888-580-HELP (4357)

Drug Abuse Hotline

Call 877-310-9512

Visit drugabuse.com

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Hotline:

Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Visit and click “Find Help and Treatment”

  • SAMHSA’s National is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.

The Addiction Hotline

Call (855) YES-REHAB / (855) 937-7342

Visit

Prayer for those suffering from additions:

Lord God you have all power to heal those who are struggling with the devastating disease of addiction. We pray you would intercede in their lives and flood their eyes with light so they can know and understand the hope to which You have called them. Give them strength and courage take away their fears, grief, anxieties, and resentments. Send your word God heal them, rescue them from the pit of destruction. Allow them to live and not die. Heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds curing all of their pains and sorrows. Allow them to hear your call, allow them the grace to never ever give up and to always stay focused on you... Fill their hearts with your word, for your word is life to all who find it and health for the whole body, mind, and spirit... I pray these things in Jesus Holy Name...Amen

St. Jude Prayer for Addiction:

God of life, You made me in Your perfect image, to live in Your love and to give You glory, honor and praise. Open my heart to Your healing power. Come, Lord Jesus, calm my soul just as you whispered “Peace” to the stormy sea. St. Jude, most holy Apostle, in my need I reach out to you. I beg you to intercede for me that I may find strength to overcome my illness. Bless all those who struggle with addiction. Touch them, heal them, reassure them of the Father’s constant love. Remain at my side, St. Jude, to chase away all evil temptations, fears, and doubts. May the quiet assurance of your loving presence illuminate the darkness in my heart and bring lasting peace. Amen.