This sub-organizer contains the following sections:
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
Suggested Instructional Strategies
Suggested Assessment Strategies
Recommended Learning Resources

It is expected that students will:

• demonstrate an understanding of the effects and consequences of substance use and abuse for themselves and others
• describe peer, mass media, and social influences related to substance use and abuse
• demonstrate an ability to make decisions and use refusal and assertiveness skills to prevent substance use and abuse

To view the prescribed learning outcomes for Personal Development (Substance Abuse Prevention) in other grades click on an icon below.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

• Set up a Readers' Theatre or invite a local theatre group to present the script of a short play that demonstrates the consequences of nicotine, alcohol, or drug use. Ask students to summarize the information presented.
• Have students classify a list of substances according to whether they are medicinal or non-medicinal, legal or illegal. Group students and have each group research and report on the consequences of using and abusing one particular substance in terms of:
  • mental health
  • physical health
  • social relationships
  • career and educational plans
  • personal resources (e.g., financial)
  • community resources
• After the class has viewed a video or listened to a speaker from an alcohol and drug service agency, stimulate student discussion with questions such as:
  • How does addiction affect an individual's health, relationships, and career?
  • Why do the effects of substance abuse vary from person to person?
• Have students examine mass media portrayals of the use of legal and illegal drugs to determine the implied messages.
• As a class, brainstorm situations in which there is peer pressure to use and abuse substances. Invite students in small groups to role-play strategies for responding to peer pressure using assertive communication or avoidance techniques.
• Suggest that students interview family and community members to compile lists of healthy living practices and attitudes that prevent substance abuse. Provide opportunities for students to share their information with classmates.
• Ask each student to write a letter to a real or fictitious advice columnist concerning a substance abuse problem. Screen the letters to ensure appropriate content, then pair students, provide each pair with a letter, and have students develop effective replies.

• Work with students to develop requirements and criteria for reports or presentations on the consequences of substance abuse. For example, reports might be assessed for the extent to which they provide clear, accurate, and detailed information about effects on:
  • mental health
  • physical health
  • social relationships
  • career and educational plans
  • resources (e.g., finances)
• To check on students' abilities to describe influences related to substance abuse, ask each student to collect one example each of peer, social, and mass media pressure as illustrated in advertisements or commercials, newspaper or magazine articles, anecdotes, or song lyrics. Have students analyse their collections in oral or written reports. Assess the extent to which students provide clear and logical analyses of:
  • who or what is applying the pressure
  • the purpose or intention of the pressure
  • who is receiving the pressure
  • what strategies are being used to apply pressure
• When students present role plays about responding to peer pressure, look for evidence that they are able to:
  • clearly identify their own needs and interests in any given situation
  • forecast the effects and consequences of actions they are considering
  • communicate their decisions assertively
  • avoid being drawn into defending or arguing about their decisions
  • sustain an objective and balanced tone

• Exploring the Issues: Teens-Alcohol and Other Drugs
• The Pal (Peer Assisted Learning) Smoking Prevention Program
• Smoking: I'm In Control?
• Team S.T.A.R. - Skills for Deciding Together (6-8)
• What Every Teenager Should Know About Peer Pressure
• Step By Step: A Prevention Handbook On Alcohol & Other Drug Use

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