Lesson 13.4: Prevention, Treatment, and Being Drug-Free

Overview

This lesson focuses on substance use disorders and the addictive potential of drugs. Various methods of treating substance abuse disorders are discussed in depth as are the benefits and barriers to teens being drug-free. Lastly, school policies and community laws regarding teen drug use are described.

Learning Targets

  • LO13: Describe what a substance use disorder is.
  • LO14: Explain what addictive potential means.
  • LO15: Select two barriers to being drug-free and assess why they may be barriers.
  • LO16: Evaluate the importance of behavioral therapy in treating a substance use disorder.
  • LO17: Examine your school policies about drug use.

Preparation

For the Warm-Up Activity: Write the Journal Question on the board or identify (and copy as needed) the worksheets you plan to use:

For the Content Focus: Open the Lesson 13.4 PowerPoint slides or make copies of the Lesson 13.4 Note-Taking Guide.

For the Lesson Focus: Copy the Lesson 13.4 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Accessing Information.

Warm-Up Activity

Select a warm-up activity to help get your class focused and on task.

  • Journal Question: What would be the consequences if you were found using or possessing marijuana at school? Are you aware of your school’s policies related to the use, possession, and sale of illicit drugs? If so, list them. If you don’t know what they are, where do you think you could find this information?
    • Option: Write or project the question and have students respond in their journal or on their “bell ringer” sheet as they enter class.
    • Option: Have students discuss the question with a partner or in a small group.
  • Vocabulary Review: Have students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to complete the Lesson 13.4 Vocabulary Review Worksheet.
  • Quiz: Have students complete the Lesson 13.4 Quiz to assess their prior knowledge.
    • Option: Collect the quiz and use it alongside a posttest to demonstrate student learning.
    • Option: Have students share their answers with a partner and then go over the answers together as a class.

Lesson Content

Review the content from the textbook lesson.

Lesson Focus: Accessing Information

  1. Give each student a copy of the Lesson 13.4 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Accessing Information.
  2. Have students work individually to complete the worksheet.
  3. Ask students to pair up and share their responses.

Challenge Activity

Have students needing an additional challenge work on the following Thinking Critically task.

Discuss with a classmate the short- and long-term health consequences of substance use disorders. Then discuss what you think your school should do to help prevent substance use.

Reflection and Summary

Review the critical content from today’s lesson. Review the learning targets and ask students to answer each question posed.

Can you...

  • Describe what a substance use disorder is?

    A substance use disorder is a condition in which a person has an uncontrolled use of a substance even though they are aware of its harmful consequences.

  • Explain what addictive potential means?

    Addictive potential is determined by the drug’s effects happening quickly, the feeling of great happiness and excitement beyond normal expectations, and whether both tolerance and withdrawal are effects of the drug.

  • Select two barriers to being drug-free and assess why they may be barriers?

    Barriers to being drug-free may include the following:

    • Feeling like treatment is unnecessary because you think you can quit whenever you want
    • Not being ready to stop using
    • Not being able to afford the cost of treatment
    • Worrying about the negative effect treatment would have on school for an extended period
    • Being concerned with what others will think
    • Not knowing where to go for help

  • Evaluate the importance of behavioral therapy in treating a substance use disorder?

    Behavioral therapy can help with withdrawal symptoms by teaching people how to handle cravings, avoid situations and people who might trigger the desire to use the drug again, and how to prevent a relapse

  • Examine your school policies about drug use?

    School policies will vary from school to school but should have information on the following:

    • Policies related to the use, possession, and sale of drugs on school grounds and at school functions on or off school grounds
    • Policies for the use, possession, and sale of illicit drugs off school grounds if you are an athlete or involved in other clubs or organizations as a representative of the school

Assessment

Complete one or more of the following assessment tasks for this lesson.

  • Quiz: Have students take the Lesson 13.4 quiz.
  • Reviewing Vocabulary: Collect the Lesson 13.4 Vocabulary Review Worksheet and evaluate it for accuracy.
  • Note-Taking Guide: Collect the completed Lesson 13.4 Note-Taking Guide and spot-check one or more items for completion and accuracy.
  • Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Have students submit the Lesson 13.4 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Accessing Information and use the Holistic Rubric: Accessing Valid and Reliable Information to evaluate their skill development.
  • Journal Question: Ask students to respond to the Journal Question again, adding information they learned from today’s class. Require a one-paragraph response that uses proper grammar.
  • Test: Have students take the Chapter Test, which covers material from all four lessons, or create a test using the online test bank.
  • Test: Have students take the Unit IV Test, which covers chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13. You may also create your own unit test from the individual chapter tests, if you prefer.

Take It Home

Put together a list of resources in your community for people who have substance use problems. Give it to a family member or friend as a resource for themselves or for others they might know who have substance use issues.