HIGH SCHOOL: LESSON PLAN 1
High School Lesson 1: Substance Use Policies and Regulations
Students will examine the importance of substance use policies at school and in the workplace, learn about the difference between legalization and decriminalization of drugs, and discuss the safety of different categories of drugs, including illegal and legal and regulated and unregulated.
This lesson is aligned with the following learning outcomes from the NL High School Health Curriculum:
Drug Education
- Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes socially responsible behaviour towards substance use within the school and community.
- Utilise information technology to access, present, and communicate information on substance use.
- Recognize the effects of substances and make decisions regarding appropriate and inappropriate use of substances.
Emotional and Social Well-being
- Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and behaviours related to health-related decision making.
Communications
- Collaborate with peers to explore multiple perspectives, practice respectful communication, and justify their ideas in group settings.
Environmental Health and Safety
- Demonstrate skills and behaviours which enhance personal safety, the safety of others, and the protection of the environment.
Learning Activities
The following activities are designed to support the delivery of this lesson and help reinforce key concepts. Some activities are available in multiple formats to offer flexibility and accommodate teacher or student preferences.
- Learning Activity 1: Substance Use Policies at School and Work
- Pre-Activity: School and Workplace Policies – Marcus and Jordan
Students will consider two different examples of youth using substances and discuss the importance of school and workplace substance use policies.
- Exploration Activity: Part 2 - Making Decisions at Work: FACE Scenarios
In this activity, students will use the FACE Decision-Making Model to analyze scenarios related to the consequences of using substances at work.
Scenario 1: Alex: The Fish Plant Incident
Scenario 2: Sam: Cash Register Mishap
Scenario 3: Avery: The Delivery Driver’s Dilemma
Scenario 5: Kit: Restaurant Kitchen Chaos
Scenario 6: Deven: Struggling to Keep Up
Making Decisions at Work: Teacher Discussion Guide
- Infographics: FACE Decision-Making Model
Students and teachers may find it helpful to refer to the following infographics as they work through FACE Scenarios.
- Sharing and Reflection: Following Substance Use Policies
Students will create a resource for youth that explains why it’s important to follow school and workplace substance use policies.
- Learning Activity 2: The Legalization, Decriminalization, and Regulation of Substances
- Infographics: Drug Categories, Substance Use Laws in Canada
Students may find it helpful to refer to the following infographics as they work through learning activity 2.
- Introduction: Drug Categories, Decriminalization, and Legalization
Students will begin by sorting substances into categories (legal vs. illegal, medical vs. non-medical), then watch a video on decriminalization versus legalization and discuss the differences.
- Pre-Activity: Substance Snapshot Jigsaw Activity
Students will work in small groups on a Jigsaw activity where they will learn about cannabinoids, depressants, hallucinogens, and stimulants).
- Exploration Activity: Debate – Should Our City Decriminalize All Drugs?
In this debate, students will critically examine legalization, decriminalization, and drug classification, while considering the impacts on public safety, health, justice, and society.
- Sharing and Reflection: Student Fact Sheet
Students will work in pairs to create a fact sheet with 10 key takeaways from the lesson.
These resources may help support the delivery of the lesson plan and learning activities:
Educational Materials
The relevant Educational Materials for this lesson are referenced throughout the lesson plan; additional ones are available here.
Substance Snapshots
Relevant Substance Snapshots are noted in the lesson plan; more may be accessed here.