Depressants
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe depressants and their associated risks, including legal consequences.
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 might be unconscious.
- There are risks associated with depressants, including legal consequences.
Keywords
Depressants - substances that slow down the brain and body's functions, reducing alertness and activity levels
Inhibition - a feeling that makes one self-conscious and unable to act in a relaxed and natural way
Recovery position - a safe way to lay an unconscious person on their side to keep their airway open
Common misconception
Depressants just slow people down.
Depressants often affect someone's sense of inhibition first. They may do things that they wouldn't do otherwise.
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.
the body's command system (brain, spinal cord and nerves)
needing more of a drug to achieve the same effects as before
possible negative consequences
a substance that changes the way bodies and brains work
Q2.A stimulant is a drug that speeds up the to increase neural activity in the brain.
Q3.Which of the following is not a characteristic of stimulants?
Q4.Cocaine and ecstasy are examples of stimulants.
Q5.Match the type of risk to the potential consequence(s) associated with it.
getting a criminal record, spending time in prison
getting into debt due to drug use
losing friends because of drug use
some jobs cannot be accessed if someone has a criminal record
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.
substances that slow down the brain and body's functions
a feeling that makes one self-conscious
a safe way to lay a person on their side to keep their airway open
Q2.Which of the following is an example of legal depressants for those over the age of 18?
Q3.Which is not a reason people would take a depressant?
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.