Drugs: Meaning and Examples of Drug Abuse, Hard Drugs and Commonly Abused Drugs, and Effects of Drug Abuse on Individuals and Society Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 8 Basic Science and Technology

BASIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FIRST TERM

WEEK 8

PRIMARY 6 (BASIC 6) 

THEME – LIVING AND NON LIVING THINGS 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Drugs: Meaning, Types (Synthetic and Naturally Occurring Drugs) and Importance of Drugs Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 6 Basic Science and Technology

TOPIC – DRUG ABUSE 

LEARNING AREA

1. Introduction

2. Meaning and Examples of Drug Abuse

3. Hard Drugs and Commonly Abused Drugs

4. Effects of Drug Abuse on Individuals and Society

5. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

6. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Define drug abuse.

2. Give examples of drug abuse.

3. Identify commonly abused drugs.

4. State the effects of drug abuse on individuals.

5. Explain the effects of drug abuse on society.

6. State ways of avoiding drug abuse.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about drugs, the types ofdrugs (synthetic and naturally occurring), and the importance of drugs in maintaining good health.They know that drugs are useful when taken correctly under the guidance of qualified health professionals.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by teaching pupils that misusing drugs or taking them without proper medical advice is called drug abuse, and that drug abuse has harmful effects on individuals, families, and society.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Charts showing the dangers of drug abuse

2. Pictures of medicines and warning signs

3. Flash cards

4. Posters on healthy living

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Drugs are important for treating illnesses and keeping people healthy when they are used correctly. However, when drugs are taken without medical advice, in the wrong amount, or for the wrong purpose, they can become dangerous.

Some people misuse medicines or other harmful substances because of peer pressure, curiosity, or bad influence. This behaviour is called drug abuse.Drug abuse can affect a person’s health, education, family, and the entire society.

In this lesson, pupils will learn the meaning of drug abuse, examples of drug abuse, commonly abused drugs, and the harmful effects of drug abuse on individuals and society.

MEANING OF DRUG ABUSE

Drug abuse is the wrong or excessive use of drugs or other harmful substances in a way that is not recommended by a qualified health professional. It also includes taking drugs without a doctor’s prescription or using them for the wrong purpose.

Drug abuse can damage a person’s health and affect their behaviour, education, and future.

Examples of Drug Abuse

• Taking medicines without a doctor’s prescription.

• Taking a larger dose of medicine than prescribed.

• Using another person’s medicine without medical advice.

• Taking medicine after its expiry date.

• Using medicines for purposes other than treating illness.

• Taking drugs because of peer pressure or to feel “high.”

• Mixing different drugs without the advice of a health professional.

• Taking medicines more frequently than prescribed.

MEANING OF HARD DRUGS

Hard drugs are powerful drugs that are very dangerous and can cause serious harm to the body and brain when used without medical supervision. They can easily lead to addiction (dependence) and may damage a person’s health, behaviour, and future.

COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS

Commonly abused drugs are substances that some people use improperly or without medical advice. Their misuse can be harmful to health.

Examples include:

• Alcohol

• Cigarettes (tobacco)

• Cough syrups used without a doctor’s prescription

• Pain-relieving medicines taken in excessive amounts

• Sleeping tablets used without medical advice

• Tranquilizers or sedative medicines used without prescription

• Cannabis (marijuana)

• Cocaine

• Heroin

• Inhalants such as glue, petrol, or paint thinner fumes

• Methamphetamine (Meth)

• Crack cocaine

• Opium

• Fentanyl (when used illegally or without medical supervision)

DANGERS OF HARD DRUGS

1. They can cause addiction.

2. They damage the brain and other body organs.

3. They affect learning and memory.

4. They may cause mental illness.

5. They can lead to crime and violence.

6. They may destroy family relationships.

7. They can result in serious illness or death.

WHY THESE DRUGS ARE ABUSED

Some people abuse drugs because of:

1. Peer pressure.

2. Curiosity.

3. Bad influence from friends.

4. Lack of proper knowledge about drugs.

5. Poor parental supervision.

6. Desire to imitate others.

7. Desire to feel excited or “high”

EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETY

Drug abuse has harmful effects on both the individual and the society.

Effects of Drug Abuse on Individuals

1. It causes poor health and damage to body organs.

2. It affects the brain, making it difficult to think clearly.

3. It leads to poor academic performance.

4. It can cause addiction (dependence on drugs).

5. It may lead to mental health problems.

6. It causes loss of self-control and irresponsible behaviour.

7. It increases the risk of accidents and injuries.

8. It may result in premature death.

Effects of Drug Abuse on Society

1. It increases crime and violence.

2. It causes insecurity in communities.

3. It leads to family problems and broken homes.

4. It reduces productivity in schools and workplaces.

5. It increases the cost of healthcare and rehabilitation.

6. It contributes to poverty and unemployment.

7. It brings shame and bad reputation to families and communities.

8. It slows the social and economic development of the nation.

HOW TO AVOID HARD DRUGS

1. Say no to drugs offered by friends or strangers.

2. Keep good friends who encourage positive behaviour.

3. Take only medicines prescribed by qualified health professionals.

4. Participate in healthy activities such as sports and reading.

5. Seek advice from parents, teachers, or counsellors when under pressure to use drugs.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

A. Objective Questions (Choose the Correct Answer)

1. Drug abuse means __________.

A. using drugs correctly

B. the improper use of drugs

C. selling medicines

D. buying drugs

2. Which of the following is commonly abused?

A. Alcohol

B. Water

C. Milk

D. Rice

3. Which of the following is a hard drug?

A. Heroin

B. Bread

C. Orange

D. Beans

4. Drug abuse can lead to __________.

A. good health only

B. addiction

C. better eyesight

D. faster growth

5. Drugs should be taken __________.

A. without advice

B. according to medical instructions

C. anytime you like

D. in large quantities

B. Fill in the Blanks

6. Drug abuse is the __________ use of drugs.

7. Cigarettes contain __________.

8. Cocaine and heroin are examples of __________ drugs.

9. Drug abuse can affect a person’s __________ and behaviour.

10. We should take drugs only when prescribed by a qualified __________.

C. True or False

11. Drug abuse can damage the brain. ______

12. Hard drugs are safe for children. ______

13. Peer pressure can lead to drug abuse. ______

14. Drug abuse can increase crime in society. ______

15. Taking another person’s medicine without medical advice is drug abuse. ______

D. Short Answer Questions

16. What is drug abuse?

17. Mention three commonly abused drugs.

18. State three effects of drug abuse on individuals.

19. State three effects of drug abuse on society.

20. Mention three ways to prevent drug abuse.

ANSWER GUIDE

1. B

2. A

3. A

4. B

5. B

6. Improper (or wrong)

7. Nicotine

8. Hard

9. Health

10. Health professional (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist)

11. True

12. False

13. True

14. True

15. True

16. Drug abuse is the improper or excessive use of drugs without proper medical advice.

17. Alcohol, cigarettes, cough syrups, cannabis, cocaine, heroin (any three).

18. Addiction, poor health, poor academic performance, mental illness, loss of self-control (any three).

19. Crime, insecurity, family problems, poverty, reduced productivity, poor national development (any three).

20. Take drugs only as prescribed, avoid bad friends, resist peer pressure, learn about the dangers of drug abuse, seek guidance from parents, teachers, or health professionals (any three).

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that drug abuse is the improper or excessive use of drugs or medicines in a way that is not recommended by a qualified health professional. It includes taking drugs without a prescription, taking the wrong dosage, or using drugs for the wrong purpose.

They also learned examples of drug abuse, such as taking medicines without medical advice, using another person’s medicine, taking expired drugs, and taking drugs because of peer pressure.

Pupils identified some commonly abused drugs, including alcohol, cigarettes (tobacco), cough syrups, pain-relieving medicines, sleeping tablets, cannabis (marijuana), cocaine, heroin, and other hard drugs.

Furthermore, pupils learned that hard drugs are very dangerous substances that can cause addiction, serious health problems, mental illness, and even death.

Finally, pupils learned the effects of drug abuse on individuals and society. Drug abuse can damage health, affect learning, cause addiction, increase crime, lead to family problems, reduce productivity, and hinder national development. They also learned that drug abuse can be prevented by using drugs responsibly, avoiding bad company, resisting peer pressure, and following the advice of qualified health professionals.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

1. The teacher displays pictures or charts showing medicines, harmful drugs, and warning signs against drug abuse.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils observe the pictures and identify the materials.

2. The teacher explains the meaning of drug abuse.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils define drug abuse in their own words.

3. The teacher discusses examples of drug abuse.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention examples of drug abuse.

4. The teacher explains commonly abused drugs and hard drugs.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils identify commonly abused drugs and explain why they are dangerous.

5. The teacher discusses the causes of drug abuse.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils state some causes of drug abuse, such as peer pressure and curiosity.

6. The teacher explains the effects of drug abuse on individuals.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention the harmful effects of drug abuse on health and behaviour.

7. The teacher explains the effects of drug abuse on society and discusses ways to prevent drug abuse.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils state the effects of drug abuse on society and suggest ways to avoid drug abuse.

8. The teacher asks oral questions based on the lesson.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions and participate actively.

9. The teacher summarizes the lesson.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils participate in the summary and take notes.

10. The teacher gives classwork and provides corrections where necessary.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils complete the exercise and correct their mistakes.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Human Reproductive System: Meaning and Importance of the Human Reproductive System, Structure and Functions of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems Primary 6 (Basic 6) First Term Week 9 Basic Science and Technology

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils,

1. What is drug abuse?

2. Mention five commonly abused drugs.

3. State five harmful effects of drug abuse on individuals.

4. Explain four effects of drug abuse on society.

5. What are hard drugs? Give three examples.

6. State five ways of preventing drug abuse.