PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Myth or Fact
Are opioids the most abused drug after marijuana? How hard is it for young people to obtain painkillers without a prescription? Middle and high schoolers explore the growing epidemic of opioid addiction with a lesson that prompts them to...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: The Cycle of Addiction
Drug addiction, including prescription drug addiction, begins with a reason that's different for every user. High schoolers learn more about the reasons people begin abusing drugs with a set of videos and worksheets that discuss four...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Learning About Opioids
Feeling high is not the only side effect of abusing prescription opioids. Middle and high schoolers learn more about specific painkillers, including Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Clonazepam, as well as their common brand names and extensive...
Generation Rx
My Generation Rx: Minute Activities
Want to discuss the prevalence of prescription drug abuse among teenagers, but running out of class time? A series of short, straightforward activities address topics such as sharing prescription drugs, coping mechanisms for stress, and...
Curated OER
Drug Sales Soar - Rate of Change
In this prescription drug activity, students answer short answer questions and create graphs on the sales of prescription drugs over a five year span. Students complete six questions.
Curated OER
The Other Drug War
Students examine the concepts of media literacy and how they apply to prescription drug advertising. They watch and discuss the Frontline video, "The Other Drug War," complete a worksheet, and answer questions regarding magazine drug...
Curated OER
Drugs
Students explore peer pressure by completing worksheets. In this drug awareness lesson, students define a long list of illegal and prescription drugs while viewing images of each drug. Students complete a word match worksheet and conduct...
National Association of School Nurses
Learn to Be Smart and Safe with Medicine
The stated purpose of a school tool kit is to help schools implement teen prescription drug abuse awareness programs. The kit includes actions that groups can take in the school, with parents, and in the community at large.
Generation Rx
My Generation Rx: Lead the Scene
Prescription drugs may start out with legitimate usage, but lately they are finding their way to high school and college party life. Have a discussion with the teenagers in your class on prescription drug abuse with a PowerPoint...
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...
National Association of School Nurses
Learn to Be Smart and Safe with Medicine
Begin educating young people on how to be smart and safe with medicine. Use a set of workbook pages to explore what symptoms are, uses for medications, how to read prescription and over-the-counter medicine labels, and who to trust when...
Curated OER
Prescriptions for Disaster?
Students share opinions about prescription drugs and prepare public service campaigns to inform peers and adults about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Their ads also offer prevention techniques and possible methods of treatment.
Scholastic
Prescription Pain Medications
Students study different pain medications and their side effects. In this drug usage instructional activity students read articles and complete a worksheet.
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Decisions and Consequences
Teach young learners that most drug addictions end in one of three outcomes: treatment, jail, or death. After watching a short video segment on the consequences of drug abuse, class members discuss what they viewed and consider what...
Discovery Education
Our Brain and Body on Opioids
Use a presentation that explores the world of prescription opioids. Learners look at the way the brain responds to the drugs and the long terms effects opioids have on the brain and body. At the end of the lesson, groups create a social...
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...
Missouri Department of Elementary
What Are Safe and Unsafe Drugs/Medicines/Objects?
Encourage responsible decision-making while boosting sorting skills with a lesson that looks at safe and unsafe situations. Scholars use two bags, one happy the other sad, to sort scenario cards. After a thorough examination,...
Nemours KidsHealth
Drugs
Young scholars investigate drugs by identifying which ones are illegal and potentially harmful. In this medicine lesson, young scholars complete worksheets in which they role play situations where they have found or ingested drugs and...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: UN Says World Shifting to Synthetic Drugs
In this ESL activity, students first read an article about addictive prescription drugs. Students complete all or some of the 100 exercises and activities pertaining to the article. Included are vocabulary, discussion, surveys and...
Curated OER
The Other Drug War
Students view the film "The Other Drug War" and discuss its content. They participate in a class debate over prescription drug pricing and complete a worksheet to use a discussion guide after viewing the film.
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Contemplating Nature vs. Nurture
Does having an addict in your family make it more likely to become one yourself? Explore the genetic risk factors, as well as the prominent environmental influences, for substance addiction in a lesson plan that encourages awareness and...
Curated OER
Age-Old Concerns
Students examine issues surrounding healthcare and specifically prescription drug coverage and the problems of state subsidy programs after reading and discussing the article, "States' Drug Subsidy Programs Have Troubles of Their Own"...
Curated OER
A Prescription for Drug Success
Students explore criticisms of the pharmaceutical drug industry. They also become aware of the difficult and lengthy process of testing new drugs by inventing fictional drugs and testing plans.
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: The Brain on Autopilot
For some people, the force of addiction can be as biologically compelling as the drive for food or water. High schoolers watch a video segment about Ryan, a recovering addict, and learn more about how opioids and other drugs can affect...