National Institute on Drug Abuse
The Brain's Response to Drugs
Marijuana affects the brain differently than inhalants, which have a different effect than opioids. Elementary and middle school classes read about these drugs as well as nicotine, methamphetamine, hallucinogens, and steroids before...
Curated OER
Three Factors Threaten Teens
Students explore alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use. In this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "Three Factors Threaten Teens", respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and...
Curated OER
Survey Reveals Teen Use of Ecstasy, Other Illegal Drugs Declined in '02
Students explore illegal use. For this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "Survey Reveals Teen Use of Ecstasy, Other Illegal Drugs Declined in '02", respond to discussion questions regarding the...
Curated OER
Boomers Assess High School
Students examine drug and alcohol abuse by American teens. In this health journalism instructional activity, students read the USA Today article titled "Boomers Assess High School", respond to discussion questions regarding the...
Curated OER
CLOSE TO HOME - Overboard
Students read a comic about a teen drug overdose that leads to death. In this drug awareness instructional activity, students role play characters in the story that react to the death of their friend due to drug use in an online forum....
Curated OER
The Kids are All-Right
Pupils explore alcohol abuse. In this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "The Kids are All Right", respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an activity based on the content of...
Steered Straight
Marijuana Awareness
February is Marijuana Awareness Month, and a set of interdisciplinary activities can make your class aware of the social, medical, legal, and psychological effects of marijuana. With writing prompts, research opportunities, and...
Curated OER
Journalism: Underage Drinking
Students research underage drinking and read a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association about the issue. They interview experts on substance abuse and liquor store owners about their policies. Students publish their...
Curated OER
Changes, Choices, and Lessons
The teen years are nothing but a series of personal, social, and academic changes. Help kids understand what to expect as they mature and give them ways to make good decisions. After discussing they types of changes they'll go through,...
ProCon
Should Recreational Marijuana Be Legal?
Almost 600,000 Americans are arrested each year for marijuana possession. Pupils decide if marijuana should be legalized for recreational use after reading state-by-state laws and the top pro and con arguments. The resource also includes...
Curated OER
I Am Seventeen Going On ?
Pupils explore the differences between going through adolescence in New York City in 1980 and today by reading and discussing the article, "When He Was Seventeen." They write a script for a podcast about the teen/parent relationship...
Curated OER
Dispel Myths, Save Lives
Students explore the reality of underage drinking. For this underage drinking lesson, students read the USA Today article titled 'Dispel Myths, Save Lives,' respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an...
Curated OER
Crime and Young People
Pupils read the story, "Police in Schools". They view a list of common offences committed by young people and identify the victims of these offences and consider how the offence would affect those people.
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
Above the Influence: Drug Facts: Alcohol
With this resource, teens can learn about facts about dangerous substances and their usage. Click on the dropdown menu at left to find out the alarming risks of alcohol and drug abuse.
Other
Arizona Bar Foundation: Law for Kids
Have a question about the law? Go to this site dedicated to teaching children about the law and to encouraging law-abiding behavior. Topics include driving laws, "Teen trouble", drug and alcohol laws, and more.
PBS
Pbs: This Emotional Life: Adolescence
PBS offers comprehensive information on adolescence including facts on development, sexual health, body image, drugs and alcohol, and how to help yourself.
Other
Do something.org
Do Something is a nationwide network of young people who know they can make a difference in their communities and take action to change the world around them. As part of Do Something, young people are asked what they want to do to make...