Safe Choices Presentation Safe Choice Squad
Drug Safety & Healthy Living
What is a Drug?
"A drug is any substance (other than food) that changes the way your body or mind works."
Can be Helpful
When used correctly as medicine.
Can be Harmful
When misused or taken by the wrong person.
Legal Medicines
Over-the-Counter (OTC)
Medicines you can buy at a store without a doctor's note.
Cough drops
Vitamin gummies
Prescription
Medicines a doctor orders specifically for ONE person.
Antibiotics for ear infections
Asthma inhalers
Medicine Safety Rules
1
Only take medicine from a trusted adult (parent, nurse, doctor).
2
Never take someone else's prescription. It's for THEM , not you.
3
Always read the label and follow the dose (how much) exactly.
Illegal Drugs
Some drugs are illegal because they are very dangerous and highly addictive. They can hurt your body, brain, and your future.
Health Risks
Damages your brain, heart, and lungs. Changes how you think and feel.
Legal Risks
Against the law. Can lead to trouble with the police and your family.
What Should You Do?
REFUSE
"No thanks, I don't do that."
REPORT
Tell a teacher, parent, or school counselor right away if you find drugs or feel unsafe.
Quick Check!
Can medicine be harmful? How?
Who is the only person you should take medicine from?
What makes a drug "illegal"?
Drug Safety Lesson Plan Safe Choice Squad
Drug Safety Basics: Lesson Plan
4th Grade
45 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will understand the difference between legal and illegal drugs, identify safe practices for using medication, and recognize the dangers of drug misuse.
Why This Matters
This lesson introduces 4th-grade students to the concept of drugs, both legal and illegal, and their effects on the body. It emphasizes the importance of using medication responsibly and the dangers of misuse. This lesson is crucial for helping students understand the impact of drugs on health and the importance of making safe choices.
Materials
Safe Choices Presentation
Discussion Guide
Worksheet
Whiteboard and markers
Instructional Sequence
5m
1. Introduction
Begin with a brief discussion on what students know about drugs.
Explain that drugs can be both helpful and harmful, depending on how they are used.
Define a drug: any substance (other than food) that changes how the body or mind works.
10m
2. Legal vs. Illegal Drugs
Use the Safe Choices Presentation and Discussion Guide to talk about the difference between legal and illegal drugs.
Discuss examples of legal drugs (e.g., medicines) and illegal drugs.
Highlight the importance of using legal drugs responsibly (dose, adult supervision, only taking your own prescription).
15m
3. Activity: Drug Safety Scenarios
Distribute the Safe Choice Squad Worksheet to students.
Have students work in pairs to complete scenarios about drug safety.
Circulate the room to assist and check for understanding.
Discuss the scenarios as a class, emphasizing the correct choices.
10m
4. Reflection and Questions
Ask students to reflect on what they learned about drug safety.
Key Questions: What is one rule for taking medicine safely? Why are some drugs illegal?
Encourage questions and provide answers to clarify any doubts.
5m
5. Closure
Summarize the key points of the lesson.
Remind students that they are part of the "Safe Choice Squad" and it's their job to make healthy choices for their bodies.
Drug Safety Discussion Guide Safe Choice Squad
Drug Safety Discussion Guide
This guide is designed to help facilitate meaningful class conversations about the differences between legal and illegal drugs and how to stay safe.
1 What are some examples of legal drugs?
Discussion Points & Examples:
Over-the-Counter (OTC): Medicines you can buy at a grocery store or pharmacy without a doctor's note.
Examples: Pain relievers for headaches, cough syrup, vitamin gummies.
Prescription Medicines: Medicines ordered by a doctor for one specific person.
Examples: Antibiotics for infections, inhalers for asthma, allergy medicine.
Teacher Notes / Student Responses:
2 Why is it important to use legal drugs responsibly?
Discussion Points & Key Concepts:
Dosage: Taking too much medicine can be dangerous and make you very sick.Instructions: Doctors and labels give specific rules (like taking it with food) to help the medicine work correctly.Wrong Person: Never take medicine meant for someone else; what helps them might hurt you.Trusted Adult: Children should always have a parent, nurse, or doctor give them medicine.
Teacher Notes / Student Responses:
3 What are the dangers of illegal drugs?
Discussion Points & Consequences:
Health Risks: Illegal drugs can permanently damage the brain, heart, and lungs. They are often addictive, making it hard for people to stop using them.Mental Health: They change how a person thinks, feels, and acts, often causing confusion or anger.Legal Consequences: Buying, selling, or using illegal drugs is against the law and can lead to trouble with the police.Safety: Illegal drugs are not tested for safety or purity; they can contain poisonous substances.
Teacher Notes / Student Responses:
Drug Safety Worksheet Safe Choice Squad
Drug Safety Worksheet
Student Name:
Date:
Instructions: Read each scenario below. Think about what we learned about being a member of the Safe Choice Squad, then write your answer in the space provided.
1
You are playing in the living room and find a bottle of pills on the floor near the couch. What should you do?
2
At recess, a friend offers you a colorful pill they found. They say it will give you "super energy" and make you feel better. How do you respond?
3
You have a bad headache at home and want to take some medicine to feel better. What steps should you follow to stay safe?
Squad Tip
When in doubt, Don't Touch, Don't Taste! Always ask a trusted adult for help when it comes to medicine or substances you don't recognize.
Drug Safety Answer Key Safe Choice Squad
Worksheet Answer Key
Teacher Resource
1
The Pill Bottle Scenario
Expected Student Response:
"I should not touch the bottle or the pills. I should immediately go find a trusted adult (like a parent or teacher) and tell them where I found it so they can put it away safely."
Key Points to Look For: Avoiding contact with unknown substances, reporting to an adult immediately.
2
The "Super Energy" Offer
Expected Student Response:
"I would say 'No, thank you' or 'I'm not allowed to take medicine from anyone but my parents.' Then, I should tell a teacher or my parents about what happened so they can make sure my friend is safe too."
Key Points to Look For: Clear refusal, reporting the incident to an adult, recognizing that friends shouldn't give medicine.
3
The Headache Plan
Expected Student Response:
"I should tell my parent or guardian that I have a headache. I must wait for them to decide if I need medicine. If they give me medicine, they should be the one to measure it and give it to me. I should never try to find or take medicine by myself."
Key Points to Look For: Adult supervision, not self-medicating, following adult guidance on dosage.
Teacher Tip
While student wording will vary, prioritize responses that emphasize communication with trusted adults and refusal of unknown substances . Encourage students to think about why these choices keep them and others safe.
