Curated OER
Drug Analysis Using Thin-Layer Chromatography
Students use forensic science to positively identify any suspected drugs submitted to the laboratory. They determine the identity of the drugs found in the bodies of drug-overdose victims. Students use TLC to identify the active...
Scholastic
Opioids and the Overdose Epidemic
Learn about the opioid and overdose epidemic in America with an article that explains what opioids are, how they are used, and how they are abused. Learners discover the death rates associated with opioid overdoses and other factors that...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
The I-STOP law was designed to regulate the distribution and tracking of prescription drugs. After reading an article about its signing and implementation, middle and high schoolers work together to come up with their own ideas for an...
Discovery Education
Sarah's Sister
Does it matter where medication is stored in your home? Absolutely. The best way to identify proper and improper storage of medications is to participate in different role-play scenarios. A lesson models the safe storage of medications...
The New York Times
Investigating the Heroin and Prescription Opioid Epidemic
How bad is the opioid crisis in America? Has it gotten worse in the last few decades? Why? High schoolers delve into these questions with a thorough and thoughtful lesson from The New York Times on heroin prescription opioids. Starting...
Scholastic
Drug Abuse in Social Settings: A Serious Task for Teens
Students discuss why drug abuse risk is higher in social settings. In this health science lesson, students interpret real life statistics on teen drug use. They describe refusal and prevention strategies.
Scholastic
Prescription Pain Medication: What You Need to Know
The national epidemic of opioid addiction is making its way into high school populations. Educate the students in your class about the ways prescription opioids can both block pain and deliver large amounts of dopamine that make it very...
Curated OER
CLOSE TO HOME - Overboard
Students read a comic about a teen drug overdose that leads to death. For this drug awareness lesson, students role play characters in the story that react to the death of their friend due to drug use in an online forum. Students...
Curated OER
Latest Trend in Drug Abuse: Youths Risk Death for Cough-Remedy High
Students explore over-the-counter drug abuse. For this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "Latest Trend in Drug Abuse: Youths Risk Death for Cough-Remedy High", respond to discussion questions regarding...
Curated OER
Prescription for Trouble
Young scholars consider the risks of the over-the-counter (OTC) drug use. For this personal health lesson, students watch "Prescription for Trouble," and discuss illegal use of drugs. Young scholars complete a survey about OTC and...
Florida Department of Health
Understanding the Risk of Substance Abuse Unit
Teenage brains are different! Understanding that the teenage brain is still developing and thus more impacted by substance abuse is the key concept in a three-lesson high school health unit. Participants learn about how the brain and...
Scholastic
Prescription Pain Medications
Students study different pain medications and their side effects. In this drug usage lesson students read articles and complete a worksheet.
Discovery Education
Malachi's Medication
What's on a prescription medicine label? After learners practice measuring Malachi's prescribed dosage for his medication, they collaboratively discuss and explain why measuring it with the proper measuring tools is essential. Young...
Learning for Life
Lesson 7: Stimulants
Make sure your class is aware and informed of the various types of stimulant drugs that exist. Here, they can learn their alternate names and some of their harmful effects. While this is a very basic direct-instructional lesson, the...
Curated OER
Vocational: Candy or Medicine?
Students investigate methods of differentiating between candy, such as Tic Tacs, and actual pills. When caring for children, they discover the importance of keeping all medications, especially those which look like candy, in a safe...
Curated OER
Stimulants
Young scholars explore the use of stimulants; in particular, amphetamines and cocaine. They also examine crack, which is a methamphetamine that is made in a laboratory and used as an inexpensive substitute for cocaine.
Curated OER
Basic First Aid
Students listen to basic first aid information. In this first aid instructional activity, students discuss CPR, Choking, Severe Bleeding, and Shock. They research the steps and how they can help in an emergency situation.
Curated OER
Treating Substance Abuse Problems
Students conduct an open discussion on the legal, social, and health consequences associated with substance abuse. Working in pairs, students discuss the effects of substance abuse and brainstorm possible solutions. Independently,...
Curated OER
Effects of Alcohol Use
Fifth graders identify short and long term effects of alcohol use. In this effects of alcohol lesson plan, 5th graders participate in activities to understand what it feels like to have alcohol in their system. With the teacher they make...