Joe got into trouble by gambling and losing money. He didn't realize he was taking a high risk that could lead to problems. His uncle Enoch, a teacher, taught Joe about making sensible decisions regarding risky behavior. Enoch explained that risky behavior often has a high probability of bad consequences. Now Joe understands the problems gambling caused for him and his mother, and hopes to take chances more wisely in the future.

1. Grade 9 | Unit 9.1 | Page 7
Unit 9.1
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Hi there…
Remember me? My name is Joe. In Grades 7 and 8
you read in a really cool comic about the problems I
ran into …
I didn’t know how to make good decisions about how
to spend my leisure time. When I first started to gamble
and win money, it was exciting. I got a big thrill out of
betting on dice and soccer games. However, the more
I got involved in gambling, the more my problems grew
and the more money I lost. I didn’t realize that I was
getting deeper and deeper into a high-risk situation.
Since then I have learnt from my uncle Enoch, who is
a teacher, how to make sensible decisions about risky
behaviour. He showed me that risky behaviour is likely
to be dangerous because it has a high probability of
bad consequences. Now I know all about the problems
my gambling caused me and my mother.
I’m young and I like taking chances, but I hope that in
future I’ll be able take my chances more wisely!
• How will knowing about risk-taking behaviour and
decision-making help you?

2. Grade 9 | Unit 9.1 | Page 8
Unit 9.1
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High-risk behaviour and
consequences
I’m hoping that my nephew Joe has learnt how to make
sensible decisions about risky behaviour in order to
reduce the probabilities of something bad happening.
• What are some examples of risk-taking behaviour?
• Why do these involve risk?
• What makes some of these examples high-risk
behaviour and others low-risk?
• Why do people get involved in high-risk behaviour
if they know it is likely to lead to serious problems
later on?
Why did my nephew Joe get involved in gambling?
As he says, he got a thrill from gambling in the
beginning.
People take the risk because they enjoy it; it makes
them feel good. This is the reward.
But as with all things, there is a cost to pay for this
reward.