Understanding Drug Use, Misuse, and Abuse
Lesson Plan on Drug Use, Misuse, and Abuse
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Class: Primary 4
Term: 1
Week: 6
Age: 9-10 years
Topic: Drug Use, Misuse, and Abuse
Sub-topic: Meaning of Drug, Drug Use, Misuse, and Abuse, Categories of Drugs, Health Consequences of Drug Misuse and Abuse, Prevention of Drug Abuse/Misuse Among Young People
Duration: 40 minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
- Define drugs and differentiate between drug use, misuse, and abuse.
- List the categories of drugs.
- Explain the health consequences of drug misuse and abuse.
- Suggest ways to prevent drug abuse and misuse among young people.
Keywords
- Drug
- Drug Use
- Drug Misuse
- Drug Abuse
- Categories of Drugs
- Prevention
Set Induction
- Begin with a short story or video clip about the importance of health and the dangers of misusing substances.
- Ask the students what they know about medicines and whether they have ever seen someone take medicine for illness. Introduce the concept of drugs as substances used for health purposes.
Entry Behavior
Students should have prior knowledge of basic health concepts like maintaining good health, the role of food, exercise, and rest in staying healthy.
Learning Resources and Materials
- Chart paper
- Markers
- Flashcards
- Laptop/Projector (if available) for video or visual aids
- Handouts of the lesson
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
Students have previously learned about healthy habits, such as eating well, sleeping enough, and exercising. Today, they will learn how drugs can help or harm health depending on how they are used.
Embedded Core Skills
- Critical thinking
- Health literacy
- Communication and collaboration
- Decision-making
Learning Materials
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Health Education textbooks
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work for Physical and Health Education
- Health Education: A Guide for Primary Schools
Instructional Materials
- Flashcards depicting types of drugs
- A projector for video presentation
- Chart paper for writing down key points
Content
1. Meaning of Drug
- A drug is any chemical substance used for curing, treating, diagnosing, or preventing diseases.
- Drugs can also be used to relieve symptoms like pain or discomfort.
2. Meaning of Drug Use
- Drug use refers to taking medication for its intended purpose, in the right quantity, frequency, and manner.
3. Meaning of Drug Misuse
- Drug misuse occurs when a person takes medication in a manner or dose other than prescribed, even with a doctor’s prescription.
4. Meaning of Drug Abuse
- Drug abuse refers to the excessive and deliberate use of drugs for non-medical purposes, often leading to harmful physical or mental effects.
5. Categories of Drugs
- Stimulants: Drugs that speed up the body’s systems (e.g., caffeine, nicotine).
- Narcotics: Drugs that relieve pain but can be addictive (e.g., morphine).
- Tranquilizers: Drugs used to reduce anxiety (e.g., Valium).
- Psychedelics or Hallucinogens: Drugs that alter perception (e.g., LSD).
- Depressants/Sedatives: Drugs that slow down brain activity (e.g., alcohol, sleeping pills).
6. Health Consequences of Drug Misuse and Abuse
- Organ damage (e.g., liver or kidney failure)
- Mental health issues like depression or paranoia
- Accidents or injuries due to impaired judgment
- Addiction, leading to social, legal, and financial problems
- Death from overdose or complications
7. Prevention of Drug Abuse and Misuse Among Young People
- Educating the public about the dangers of drug misuse
- Strict government laws to prevent the sale of illegal drugs
- Enforcing a ban on drug sales near schools
- Encouraging healthy alternatives like sports and hobbies
Evaluation Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
- A drug is any __________ used for treating or preventing diseases.
a) Food
b) Chemical substance
c) Toy
d) Medicine - Drug misuse happens when __________.
a) You take the correct dose of medicine
b) You take medicine for non-medical purposes
c) You take medicine as prescribed
d) None of the above - __________ is the excessive and harmful use of drugs.
a) Drug use
b) Drug misuse
c) Drug abuse
d) Drug control - Narcotics are drugs used for __________.
a) Relieving pain
b) Increasing energy
c) Reducing anxiety
d) Altering perception - Which of the following is a common consequence of drug abuse?
a) Improved health
b) Increased brain power
c) Organ damage
d) Better memory - Stimulants are drugs that __________.
a) Relax the body
b) Speed up the body’s systems
c) Decrease brain activity
d) Help with sleep - Tranquilizers are mainly used to __________.
a) Relieve pain
b) Reduce anxiety
c) Increase energy
d) Speed up the heart - __________ is an example of a psychedelic drug.
a) Cocaine
b) LSD
c) Alcohol
d) Marijuana - Prevention of drug abuse among young people includes __________.
a) More drug sales near schools
b) Teaching healthy alternatives
c) Encouraging drug misuse
d) None of the above - __________ drugs are used to slow down brain activity.
a) Depressants
b) Stimulants
c) Tranquilizers
d) Narcotics - Drug misuse is when you take medicine __________.
a) With a prescription
b) As prescribed
c) Without the correct amount or purpose
d) In the right amount - Which of these is a health consequence of drug misuse?
a) Better coordination
b) Organ damage
c) Improved memory
d) Weight loss - A person using drugs for fun, not for medical purposes, is __________.
a) Using drugs correctly
b) Misusing drugs
c) Taking prescribed drugs
d) Avoiding drugs - Drug abuse can lead to __________.
a) Improved social life
b) Harmful physical and mental effects
c) Better sleep
d) Better health - To prevent drug misuse, we should __________.
a) Increase drug sales near schools
b) Teach children about drug dangers
c) Encourage drug misuse
d) Ignore the issue
Class Activity Discussion
FAQs with Answers
- What is a drug?
- A drug is a chemical substance used to treat, prevent, or diagnose diseases.
- What happens when drugs are misused?
- Misusing drugs can lead to health problems like addiction and organ damage.
- What is the difference between drug misuse and drug abuse?
- Misuse is taking drugs incorrectly, while abuse is taking drugs intentionally to harm yourself.
- Can drugs help in treating illnesses?
- Yes, when used correctly, drugs can treat illnesses and make people feel better.
- What are narcotics used for?
- Narcotics are used to relieve pain, but they can be addictive.
- What happens if you abuse drugs?
- Abusing drugs can cause serious health problems, including mental illness and organ failure.
- Why do some people misuse drugs?
- Some misuse drugs to feel good or cope with stress, but it’s harmful.
- What should you do if you see someone using drugs incorrectly?
- Tell an adult or a teacher to help the person get support.
- What is a stimulant drug?
- Stimulants are drugs that speed up the body’s systems, like caffeine.
- How can we prevent drug misuse?
- By educating others, supporting healthy activities, and following the law.
- What is the effect of drug misuse on students?
- It can affect your health, school performance, and relationships with friends.
- Are there any benefits to drug abuse?
- No, drug abuse only causes harm to the body and mind.
- What can happen to the brain from using drugs?
- Drugs can damage the brain, leading to memory loss or mental disorders.
- Can people get help if they abuse drugs?
- Yes, there are counseling and rehabilitation programs that help people recover.
- Why should we avoid drugs?
- Drugs can hurt your body, mind, and future.
Teacher’s Activities
- Greet the students and introduce the lesson by asking questions about drugs.
- Provide clear definitions and explanations of the topic.
- Show examples of drug categories and discuss each one in detail.
- Engage the students with the evaluation questions and guide them to the correct answers.
- Encourage students to share their opinions during the Class Activity Discussion.
Learners’ Activities
- Listen attentively and ask questions.
- Participate in the Class Activity Discussion and answer questions.
- Complete the fill-in-the-blank evaluation questions.
- Work in pairs to discuss preventive measures against drug misuse.
Assessment
- What is a drug?
- What is drug misuse?
- Give an example of a stimulant.
- What happens when someone abuses drugs?
- Name two health consequences of drug misuse.
- What should you do if you see someone abusing drugs?
- What is a narcotic drug used for?
- How can drug abuse affect a student’s life?
- What is a tranquilizer?
- How can drug misuse be prevented?
Conclusion
The teacher goes around to mark the students’ work, providing feedback and reinforcing key points about the dangers of drug misuse and how to stay healthy.