Florida Department of Health
Understanding the Risk of Substance Abuse Unit
Teenage brains are different! Understanding that the teenage brain is still developing and thus more impacted by substance abuse is the key concept in a three-lesson high school health unit. Participants learn about how the brain and...
Scholastic
Heads Up: Real News About Drugs and Your Body
What's the difference between medical marijuana and marijuana bought on the street? Not much. High schoolers learn more about marijuana with an informational booklet that focuses on the medical uses of THC, how marijuana affects the...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Myth or Fact
Are opioids the most abused drug after marijuana? How hard is it for young people to obtain painkillers without a prescription? Middle and high schoolers explore the growing epidemic of opioid addiction with a lesson that prompts them to...
Missouri Department of Elementary
How Much Does Smoking Really Cost?
Following a brief survey about tobacco, scholars examine a fact sheet to answer questions about the substance. A practice page challenges the class to determine the cost of the habit using money math. Pupils discuss their findings...
Curated OER
Boomers Assess High School
Young scholars examine drug and alcohol abuse by American teens. In this health journalism instructional activity, students read the USA Today article titled "Boomers Assess High School", respond to discussion questions regarding the...
Curated OER
Prescription for Trouble
Students consider the risks of the over-the-counter (OTC) drug use. In this personal health lesson, students watch "Prescription for Trouble," and discuss illegal use of drugs. Students complete a survey about OTC and illegal drug use in...
Curated OER
Survey Reveals Teen Use of Ecstasy, Other Illegal Drugs Declined in '02
Students explore illegal use. In this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "Survey Reveals Teen Use of Ecstasy, Other Illegal Drugs Declined in '02", respond to discussion questions regarding the article,...
Novelinks
The House of the Scorpion: Anticipation Guide
Introduce Nancy Farmer's award-winning science fiction novel, The House of the Scorpion, with an anticipation guide that asks readers to agree or disagree with a series of statements that reflect the major concepts in the story. Follow...
Curated OER
Steroids and the Body
Students explore how steroids can harm the body physically and mentally.
Curated OER
World Consumer Rights Day
In this World Consumer Rights Day instructional activity, students complete activities such as reading a passage, matching phrases, fill in the blanks, choose the correct word, multiple choice, unscramble the words, sequencing,...
Scholastic
Marijuana: Breaking Down the Buzz
Teenagers get the real information about marijuana use based on the history of tobacco legislation and research. As they read an educational passage about marijuana laws, science, and changing attitudes, they address their preconceptions...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults Infographic
Adult cigarette smoking has decreased in recent years, but it is still the number one cause of preventable disease and death in America. An infographic breaks cigarette smoking down by education level, geographical region, gender, race,...
Curated OER
Inhalants: A Looming Threat for All Teens
Learners identify common substances with chemical vapors. In this health science lesson, students explain the dangerous effects of inhalants. They brainstorm ways to warn other teens about the risks of abusing this substance.
Curated OER
Be Positive - Do Something Day
In this Be Positive - Do Something Day worksheet, learners complete activities such as reading a passage, phrase matching, fill in the blanks, correct words, multiple choice, spelling, sequencing, scrambled sentences, writing questions,...
Curated OER
Journalism: Underage Drinking
Young scholars research underage drinking and read a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association about the issue. They interview experts on substance abuse and liquor store owners about their policies. Students publish...
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Drug Facts
This resource provides statistics and facts about the health effects of specific drugs, prevention and treatment, and survey data.
PBS
Pbs Kids: It's My Life: Drug Abuse, Getting It Straight
Get the facts straight about illegal drug use and other substance abuse. Take interactive quizzes, participate in virtual teen surveys, and read answers to current questions about drug abuse.
USA Today
Usa Today: Survey Reveals Teen Use of Ecstasy Declined in '02
This article from a 2002 study that examined drug-use trends among teens. Includes statistics about ecstasy use, as well as the use of other illicit drugs, discussion questions, and an activity for small groups.