Learning outcomes
Students will:
- learn the dangers of substance abuse.
- acquire information to help them make healthy choices.
- assess peer pressure.
Teacher planning
Time required for lesson
45 minutes
Materials/resources
- Overhead sheet of definitions for: Alcohol, Intoxicate, Drug, and Nicotine.
- Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention from the U.S. Dept. of Education
Technology resources
Overhead projector
Pre-activities
Begin the lesson with an oral quiz using questions taken from Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention (I use six questions from the Test Your Knowledge of Drugs section). This gets the students involved and participating in the lesson.
- What is the most commonly used drug in the United States? a) heroin b) cocaine c) alcohol d) marijuana. (c)
- Name the three drugs most commonly used by children. (Alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana).
- Which drug is associated with the most teenage deaths? (Alcohol). After they get the answer, ask them why that would be. Students will have many answers, but eventually will say that after drinking, teenagers often do something stupid and dangerous and frequently get into cars. We also discuss alcohol poisoning.
- People who have not used alcohol and other drugs before their 20th birthday a) have no risk of becoming chemically dependent b)are less likely to develop a drinking problem or use illicit drugs c) have an increased risk of becoming chemically dependent. (b) Ask the students to discuss why they think that may be.
- Anabolic steroids are dangerous because they may result in (students will often need a definition of steroids before you continue with this question) a) development of female characteristics in males b) development of male characteristics in females c) stunted growth d) damage to the liver and cardiovascular system e) overaggressive behavior f)all of the above (f)
- How is marijuana harmful? a) it hinders the user’s short-term memory b) students may find it hard to study and learn while under the influence of marijuana c) it affects timing and coordination d)all of the above (d)
Students usually have some questions and discussion regarding the quiz.
