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...
Nemours KidsHealth
Drugs: Grades 9-12
What do drugs do to the body and to the mind? What are the dangers of using drugs? How can teens respond to the pressure to use drugs? After reading a series of articles related to drug use and abuse, class members prepare a skit to...
Curated OER
The Drug Dope Show
In small groups, students research an assigned drug category including its physical effects, addiction treatments and the societal, academic and economic impacts of drug abuse. They engage in a "talk show" and discussion about drug...
US National Library of Medicine
Drug Use and Abuse: Past and Present
Pick your poison: tobacco, alcohol, opiates, cocaine, or marijuana. An online exhibition launches a research project that asks groups to select one of the five drugs and gather information on how the use of the drug and the regulations...
Curated OER
Drug Abuse: Altered States
Students view an "In the Mix" video about drug abuse. They participate in a discussion about the video, distinguish several facts and myths about drug use, identify how drugs can affect people's lives and engage in role-playing the...
Discovery Education
Is Our Community Influenced by the Opioid Epidemic?
Opioid abuse is becoming a national crisis, but combating the influence of opioids requires examining the ways it affects individual communities. A thorough teacher guide provides step-by-step instructions about implementing an...
Scholastic
Analyzing Media Messages
Telling young people to just say no can be difficult in a world that inundates them with messages to just say yes. A lesson on media messages encourages teenagers to analyze song lyrics and advertisements that mention drugs and/or...
Curated OER
Substance Abuse Prevention at Hollywood High
Students research alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs using cd-roms, Internet websites, and media center materials. In small groups they write a script and create a computer animated movie using the "Hollywood High" computer software.
Curated OER
What Are Friends For?
Students develop an awareness of the behaviors signaling that a friend may be in trouble with alcohol or drugs of abuse. They practice ways to encourage a friend to seek out adult help by viewing a video, role-playing situations, writing...
Curated OER
Steroids: The Hard Truth
Students view a PBS "In the Mix" video about the use of steroids. They identify health risks, consider the emotional consequences of drug abuse and discuss the legal ramifications. They also research a variety of nutritional supplements.
Missouri Department of Elementary
How Much Does Smoking Really Cost?
Following a brief survey about tobacco, scholars examine a fact sheet to answer questions about the substance. A practice page challenges the class to determine the cost of the habit using money math. Pupils discuss their findings...
Baylor College
Crossing the Synaptic Gap
As part of a unit on the chemistry of the brain, thinkers learn how chemicals work to transmit messages between individual neurons and how controlled substances impact the synaptic cleft. They do so by playing a dice-and-card game in...
Baylor College
What Is a Neuron?
Your class won't get on your nerves while doing this modeling activity! After teaching the structure and function of a neuron using the included diagrams, give individuals some clay and chenille stems so that they can make their own...
Curated OER
Red Ribbon Week
Students identify the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. In this drug and alcohol abuse lesson plan, students research the dangers of drugs and alcohol and prepare a presentation for the information. Students write a paper on their...
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
My Life—My Mental Health
Between peer pressure, an onslaught of hormones, and brand new responsibilities, the teenage years can be emotionally volatile. Equip young adults with coping mechanisms and a safe place to discuss their feelings with a guided...
Curated OER
Fighting Fire with Fire
Students explore the effects of drugs and drug treatment programs in the science or health classroom.
Curated OER
Ecstasy
Students view a PSB "In the Mix" video about the effects and abuse of the drug Esctasy. They participate in a class discussion, identify the body's reaction to Ecstasy, investigate the laws surrounding drup possession and use and engage...
Curated OER
The Drug Connection: Design-O-Synapse
High schoolers study cholinergic neuromuscular pathway of acetylcholine release and develop a model for drug interaction at one specific neurological site. Working in teams, students can also research different drugs or poisons and...
Curated OER
TSI: Teen Science Investigations
Students read an article about a research conducted on teen brain decision making. In this health science lesson, students identify the steps in the scientific method. They discuss how this research can benefit them when faced with...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Risk Taking Behaviors
Sophomores can be sometimes wise and sometimes foolish. The same can be said for their behaviors. After watching a presentation about risk taking behaviors, class members discuss the presentation in small groups, and then complete a...
Curated OER
The Kids are All-Right
Students 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...
Curated OER
Baseball Anyone
Students explore the change in values from the 1920's to the present. In groups, students use the internet to analyze Pete Rose and gambling in sports. The 1919 scandal of the World Series is explored and discussed by students. They...