Student Resources
When you say no to underage drinking and drug misuse, you’re saying yes to so much more.
SAY YES TO
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basketball
Hinono’einahki
Our way of life
fishing
family
dancing
academics
football
art
music
friendships
culture
softball
basketball Hinono’einahki Our way of life fishing family dancing academics football art music friendships culture softball
See what other influential Native American youth are saying about their “yes.” Follow the hashtag #sayyesAAIP and sayyesAAIP on TikTok for updates.
Be a leader!
“Today’s tribal leaders were once the children of the community and will be its elders tomorrow.” - National Congress of American Indians
What are ways you can lead your friends, community and family?
Is it through sports, hobbies or learning about your culture’s history? Your decisions today matter!
What’s your why?
You know better than anyone what motivates, drives and inspires you. Maybe it’s learning new information about your Native culture. Maybe it’s sports or being outdoors. Maybe it’s reading, singing or hanging out with friends and family. Whatever your “yes,” one thing is certain — you can’t fully enjoy it when you’re under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Native youth have so much to offer. Each person contains a tapestry of history, specificity and hope for a better tomorrow. When you drink and use drugs, you limit your community’s ability to thrive. You are a culture bearer, and your choices matter!
Did you know?
Participation in sports is associated with: Lower amounts of stress, lower rates of anxiety and depression, reduced risk of suicide, less substance abuse and fewer risky behaviors and higher self-esteem and confidence.*
No matter the healthy hobby or habit you choose, when you say yes to it, you’re saying yes to so much more.
*Health.gov, President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science Board, 2020.
Students who say no to underage drinking and drug misuse…
Earn better grades.
Students with 4.0 GPAs drank a third fewer alcoholic beverages than the average student (2007, Journal of College Student Development).
Stay connected to friends and family.
Drug use and addiction can cause individuals to isolate and experience loneliness from loved ones and community members (2014, National Library of Medicine).
Enjoy more hobbies and activities.
Students who drink less alcohol are more likely to engage in hobbies and activities that they enjoy (2018, International Survey Associates).
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Are healthier physically and mentally.
Students that avoid alcohol decrease risks of alcohol related car accidents, and also lower their risk of developing serious mental health disorders like depression (1998, OJJDP.gov).
“Native youth provide a special perspective on the world and have a unique power and motivation to make a difference in their communities.” - National Congress of American Indians
Your future isn’t a statistic – when you prioritize your health, you show others in your community how to do the same.