Drugs and their risks
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain what drugs are, why people might take them, and possible risks.
Key learning points
- A drug is any substance that changes how the brain and/or body works.
- Many different people take drugs.
- People take drugs for many different reasons - including medical reasons.
- Drug misuse and taking illegal drugs is always dangerous.
- The risks from drug misuse and illegal drugs may increase due to different factors.
Keywords
Drug - a substance that changes the way bodies and brains work
Illegal - when something is against the law
Risk - possible negative consequences
Dependence - in this context, a feeling of needing a drug to carry out normal daily activities
Common misconception
Each drug will affect every person the same way every time.
How drugs affect individuals depends on the drug, the drug taker's body weight, their existing health problems and other biological differences.
Teacher tip
It might be worth speaking to a pastoral leader or DSL in your setting about the names and terms used for different drugs in your area.
Content guidance
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 word to the definition.
the correct amount of medicine to take
unwanted reactions to medicine
a harmful response to medicine, needing quick help
Q2.What does the word 'legal' mean?
Q3.What is a prescription?
Q4.Which of the following best defines medication?
Q5.The age of legal responsibility begins at ...
Q6.What is an over-the-counter medicine?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does a drug change?
Q2.Match the word to the definition.
possible negative consequences
when something is against the law
a category for drugs
a feeling of needing a drug to carry out normal daily activities
Q3.What is the term for drugs that are only available with a doctor’s permission?
Q4.In which situation is it acceptable to take prescription drugs?
Q5.Which of the following are risks from misusing drugs and taking illegal drugs?
Q6.Which of the following might affect how someone's body might react to a drug?
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Drugs and their risks, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Drugs and their risks, 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.