Just a quick thought. I do several Red Ribbon anti-substance abuse assemblies in October. Thought I'd pass on some general ideas for others.
Bear: Sings "On Top of Old Smokey" with the words changed to describe getting caught in a forest fire started by a cigarette.
On Top of Old Smokey
All covered with leaves
I saw someone smoking
and started to sneeze (achoo!)
He threw down a match
and then he drove off.
It started a fire.
I started to cough.
On top of Old Smokey.
Once green, now it's red.
He started a fire.
Now I'm sick in the head.
Don't use music with it, because the kids laugh so much you'd be off time!
The bear also learns how to say no when I ask him to try a cigarette. A lot of humor is used.
Orangutan, Chimp, or Gorilla: I tell how his previous owner used to smoke around him and actually taught the orangutan to smoke. Now he is trying to quit. (I hold up a fake cigarette and he grabs it with his mouth. I have a second one palmed between the meaty part of my thumb and the tip of my middle finger. As I pull the first one out of his mouth I slip the second fake cigarette in it's place. (Actually, don't even switch them. It just looks like you pulled it out and another came in it's place.) Then I talk about chain smoking. I put one cigarette in a bucket or my pants pocket, secretly palming it again, and repeat four or five times while I tell how nicotine is the drug that is addicting in tobacco.
Kangaroo: I put a little baby kangaroo in her pouch. We talk about it drinking milk from the mother and how the mother has to eat healthy things so the baby will be healthy. It's the same way with pregnant women. Should they smoke, drink, or take drugs? etc.
Big Mouth Puppet(s): Use either or both to talk about chewing tobacco and the juice that goes along the teeth, lips, and gums. Works great with the Lota Bowl as a spittoon that keeps getting filled up!
Laughin' Louie: He's on my wish list. He will be the retired coach who gives tips on being a better athlete by staying away from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
Hey! These are great ideas. Thanks for sharing them with everybody. I mainly do churches(kid's crusades) throughout the year. However, I have done several school assemblies as well. I would like to schedule more school assemblies throughout the fall and winter in the near future to stay near home. Do you have any suggestions on contacting schools or recommended resources that deal with the subject?