attention getters (need some help please)

[Nochowderforyou]

You could start with a question, or a series of questions, that's a quick way to get your audience involved.

'Can anyone guess how many deaths are attributed to alcohol use each year?'
'Okay, what about cigarettes?'
'Okay, now what about marijuana?'

And just toss the figures back at them when they guess.

That's a good idea actually. Have them guessing and then blow their minds with your research.