Lesson 8.1: Substance Use and Decision-Making: Social Influences, Laws and Health
Students will explore why individuals may make decisions to use substances and the risks and harms of substance use. Students will also examine influences that affect decision-making about substance use, including government laws and rules and regulations about drug use.
This lesson is aligned with the following learning outcomes from the NL Grade 8 Health Curriculum:
1. To distinguish between facts and myths about drugs and alcohol.
2. To be aware of Canadian laws relating to the possession, use, and sale of alcohol and drugs.
3. To be aware of the dangers of combining alcohol and other drugs.
4. To distinguish between drug use, drug misuse, and drug abuse and drug dependence.
5. To understand some of the reasons for drug and alcohol use.
6. To identify sources of help and information for drug-dependent persons.
7. To have an appreciation of the role of drugs in our society.
8. To distinguish between prescription, non-prescription and illegal drugs.
9. To identify and promote alternative activities not involving alcohol or drugs.
10. To consider personal, societal, and familial values and influences with respect to the use of drugs and alcohol.
11. To be aware of the part that decision-making plays in drug use.
12. To understand some of the health-related implications of drug and alcohol use.
13. To be aware of how the media influences decisions regarding drug and alcohol use.
- To use the decision-making process to choose alternate courses of action when dealing with feelings.
Lesson Plan
Activities
Learning Activity 1: Understanding Substance Use Choices, Risks and Safety
Pre-Activity: Who Am I? -Teacher Presentation
This activity will engage students in a learning discussion about the different substances to be explored throughout the lesson.
Exploration Activity: Match UP!
This activity will encourage student discussion and understanding of concepts and terminology related to substance use. Note: the cards will need to be prepared in advance by the teacher.
Sharing & Reflection Activity
Students will have the chance to reflect on what they learned so far about substances and substance use, and identify harm reduction strategies to make safer choices.
Learning Activity 2: Substance Use Safety – Understanding Rules, Regulations & Laws
Exploration Activity: Applying Rules and Laws – How Savvy Are You?
Working with a partner or in small groups, students will review situations where they will consider the implications of rules, regulations, and laws when making decisions.
Infographic: Substance Use Laws in Canada
Students may find it helpful to refer to the Substance Use Laws in Canada Infographic while working through this exploration activity.
Sharing & Reflection Activity: Share an Experience OR Staying Safer
Students may choose one of the following reflection activities:
Learning Activity 3: Making Decisions
Activity: Quiz-Quiz Trade
This interactive activity will review students’ understanding of substances and concepts and knowledge of the risks of consuming unknown substances.
Exploration Activity: Choices & Influential Factors
Students will engage in conversations discussing detailed scenarios which explore the influential factors related to making decisions about substance use.
Scenario 1: Quinn & Taylor – Unregulated Cannabis Vape
Scenario 2: Morgan & Samira – Polysubstance Use (Alcohol & Methylphenidate)
Scenario 3: Lee & Riley – Unknown Substances (Cocaine & Fentanyl)
Scenario 4: Charlie & Jamie – Alcohol & Driving
Scenario 5: Kit & Brook – Cannabis & Driving
Scenario 6: Harper & Casey – Alcohol Drinking Challenge
Teacher Discussion Guide: Choices & Influential Factors
Infographic: Factors Influencing Decision-Making
Students may find it helpful to refer to the Factors Influencing Decision-Making Infographic as they work through this activity.
Sharing & Reflection: Journalling
Students will reflect on and describe an experience where they had to make a decision which was challenging for them.
Substance Snapshots
Substance Snapshots aim to provide educators with knowledge surrounding specific substances, classes of substances, and methods of consumption. These documents are intended to support educators in their delivery of drug education. They are not for direct use by elementary students.