On January 13, 2025, I had the opportunity to lead a youth drug prevention workshop at Riverside Crest High School in Riverside, California. This school has a longstanding commitment to student wellness, so our session was designed to strengthen their ongoing prevention efforts through interactive learning and practical, science-based insights.
During this workshop, students participated in a fast-paced group engagement activity focused on understanding how peer influence shapes decision-making. As I walked them through the exercise, we discussed one of the most important points in youth prevention work: during moments of social pressure, the adolescent brain tends to react emotionally before it evaluates consequences logically. This dynamic is central to understanding why good students sometimes make poor choices when surrounded by persuasive peers. Helping youth recognize this process empowers them to pause, reflect, and choose a healthier direction.
The students at Riverside Crest showed exceptional enthusiasm and curiosity. Several shared personal observations about how group pressure shows up in their own lives, including around vaping, alcohol, and social media challenges. Their willingness to engage made the session especially meaningful, and their energy underscored how ready young people are to receive prevention content when it is delivered in a relatable, non-judgmental, and evidence-driven manner.
A fun fact about Riverside Crest: the school hosts one of the largest student-run wellness clubs in Southern California, known for coordinating weekly “Healthy Mind Fridays,” where students lead activities to support mental health and positive decision-making across campus.
To bring this evidence-based, humor-supported prevention program to your school, please contact us today.