Depressants
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what depressants are, explain the risks of taking them and know how to respond if someone is having a bad reaction.
Key learning points
- A depressant is a drug that slows the central nervous system down to decrease the neural activity in the brain.
- Depressants lower blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.
- Illegal depressants include heroin, nitrous oxide and cannabis.
- The recovery position is useful for someone who is unconscious.
- There are risks associated with depressants, including physical and mental health effects and legal consequences.
Keywords
Depressant - a substance that slows down the brain and body’s functions, reducing alertness and activity levels
Inhibition - a feeling that makes a person self-conscious and unable to act in a relaxed and natural way
Recovery position - a safe way to place an unconscious person on their side to keep their airway open
Common misconception
Depressants just slow people down.
Depressants often affect a person's sense of inhibition first. This means they may do things they would not normally do.
Teacher tip
You should speak to your RSHE lead before delivering this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of mental health issues
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the term to its correct definition.
Q2.There are legal stimulants, such as and nicotine.
Q3.Which of the following is not a characteristic of stimulants?
Q4.Cocaine and methamphetamine are examples of stimulants.
Q5.Match the type of risk to the potential consequence(s) associated with it.
Q6.If someone is having a bad reaction to a drug, what should you do?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the word to the correct definition.
Q2.Which of the following is an example of a legal depressant?
Q3.Which of these describes the effect depressants have on the body?
Q4.A depressant that is an example of a Class drug is cannabis.
Q5.If you find someone unconscious and breathing, you should and ...
Q6.Where could someone get reliable help or advice about drugs?
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Depressants, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Depressants, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Risky substances: What do I need to know about illegal and prescription drugs? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.