Which approach best supports avoiding alcohol and drug related risk?

Which approach best supports avoiding alcohol and drug related risk?

• A. Taking personal responsibility and making safe choices
• B. Letting friends decide everything
• C. Waiting until adults enforce rules
• D. Avoiding all social events

Answer: (A)

Taking personal responsibility means choosing actions that protect your safety even when others urge you to take risks. This approach is the best for avoiding alcohol and drug-related risk because it puts you in control of your decisions, helps you set clear boundaries, and keeps you consistent in different situations. You can practice simple refusal skills, plan ahead (decide before you’re in a situation how you’ll respond), and have alternatives ready (nonalcoholic drinks, activities that don’t involve substances), or choose to leave if pressure continues. Letting friends decide everything removes your control, waiting for adults to enforce rules is reactive and limited to supervised settings, and avoiding all social events isn’t realistic or productive. By owning your choices and sticking to safe ones, you reduce risk and build trust with yourself and others.

Taking personal responsibility means choosing actions that protect your safety even when others urge you to take risks. This approach is the best for avoiding alcohol and drug-related risk because it puts you in control of your decisions, helps you set clear boundaries, and keeps you consistent in different situations. You can practice simple refusal skills, plan ahead (decide before you’re in a situation how you’ll respond), and have alternatives ready (nonalcoholic drinks, activities that don’t involve substances), or choose to leave if pressure continues. Letting friends decide everything removes your control, waiting for adults to enforce rules is reactive and limited to supervised settings, and avoiding all social events isn’t realistic or productive. By owning your choices and sticking to safe ones, you reduce risk and build trust with yourself and others.