Substance Smarts Lesson Plan Substance Smarts
Make Healthy Choices
Lesson Plan
60 Minutes
Why This Lesson?
This lesson empowers students with essential knowledge and practical strategies to navigate social pressures and safeguard their health and future from the dangers of substance use.
Learning Objective
Students will be able to identify common substances, understand the risks associated with substance use, and develop refusal skills to make healthy choices.
Prep & Materials
Review/Customize Substance Smarts Slide Deck
Print Teacher Script
Print and cut Decision Dilemma Cards
Print My Healthy Choices Worksheet
Review Answer Key
Gather pens/pencils
Instructional Steps
5 mins
Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind?
Begin by asking: "When you hear the phrase 'substance use,' what comes to mind?"
Accept all non-judgmental answers. Briefly explain the session's purpose of understanding substances and making healthy choices.
15 mins
Introduction to Substances and Risks
Present the Slide Deck focusing on alcohol, nicotine/vaping, and cannabis. Discuss short-term and long-term risks using the Teacher Script prompts.
20 mins
Activity: Decision Dilemma Cards
Divide students into pairs. Have them read scenarios and discuss responses, focusing on refusal skills . Circulate to provide guidance.
10 mins
Worksheet: My Healthy Choices
Students individually reflect on scenarios and record strategies for healthy choice-making. Collect for review and follow-up.
10 mins
Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways & Q&A
Final group discussion. Share takeaways, address remaining questions, and reinforce healthy support systems.
Substance Smarts Presentation Slide Deck Substance Smarts
Make Healthy Choices
Understanding Risks, Building Skills, Empowering You!
Our Goal Today
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
Identify common substances and their risks.
Understand how substances can affect your health and future.
Develop effective strategies to make healthy decisions and say NO to peer pressure.
What is a Substance?
In our lesson today, we're talking about substances like:
Alcohol
Nicotine / Vaping
Cannabis (Marijuana)
"These are things that can affect your body and mind, and it's important to understand how."
Nicotine & Vaping
What it is:
Found in cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vapes.
Risks:
Highly Addictive Can quickly hook a developing brain.
Brain Harm Impacts learning, memory, and attention.
Lung Damage Causes breathing problems and injury.
Alcohol
What it is:
Found in beer, wine, and liquor.
Risks for Teens:
Impaired Judgment Makes it harder to make good choices.
Accidents & Injuries Increased risk of falls or crashes.
Long-Term Health Can damage liver, brain, and heart.
Cannabis (Marijuana)
What it is:
A plant that can be smoked or consumed.
Risks for Teens:
Brain Development Affects memory, learning, and attention.
Mental Health Higher risk of anxiety and depression.
Impaired Coordination Slower reaction time and judgment.
Understanding Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is when you feel influenced by others your age to act a certain way. It can be:
Direct
Someone tells you directly to do something.
Indirect
You feel like everyone else is doing it, so you should too.
Strategies for Saying NO
1. Be Simple & Direct "No thanks, I'm good."
2. Be Firm "Nah, I'm not into that."
3. Give an Excuse "My parents would kill me."
4. Suggest an Alternative "Let's go play basketball instead!"
5. Walk Away Remove yourself from the situation.
6. Support Squad Stick with friends who make good choices.
Time to Practice!
Grab a "Decision Dilemma" card and discuss:
1
What's happening?
2
What are the risks?
3
How would you respond?
My Healthy Choices
It's time for some personal reflection.
Complete your reflection worksheet individually.
Think about your own strategies.
Your Healthy Future
Knowledge is Power
Understanding risks helps you make smart choices.
Support is Available
Talk to a trusted adult, parent, teacher, or counselor if you need help.
One Big Question:
"What's one thing you learned or will remember from today?"
Substance Smarts Teacher Script Teacher Script
Substance Smarts: Make Healthy Choices
Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind? (5 minutes)
[SAY]: "Welcome everyone. Today, we're going to talk about something really important for your health and future: substance use. It might feel like a big topic, but we're here to understand it together in a safe space."
[SAY]: "To start, I want you to think for a moment. When you hear the phrase 'substance use,' what comes to mind? There are no right or wrong answers, just share what you think of. You can call out words, ideas, or even feelings."
(Allow students to share. Acknowledge all responses without judgment. Transition to the slide deck.)
[SAY]: "Great ideas! Thank you for sharing. Now let's dive into our lesson for today."
Common Substances & Their Risks (Slides 1-6) (15 minutes)
Slide 1-2: Goals
[SAY]: "As you can see on the screen, our main goal today is to give you the smarts to make really good choices when it comes to substances. We'll learn about different types, their risks, and most importantly, how to confidently say NO if you ever feel pressured."
Slide 4: Nicotine/Vaping
[SAY]: "What makes nicotine so tricky, especially for young people, is how incredibly addictive it is. Your brain is still growing and developing, and nicotine can hook it really fast. This can affect your ability to learn and remember things."
[SAY]: "Beyond addiction, vaping can cause serious lung damage. We're seeing more and more cases of breathing problems linked to vaping. Any questions about nicotine or vaping before we move on?"
Slide 5: Alcohol
[SAY]: "For teens, alcohol seriously messes with your judgment. It makes it really hard to think clearly and make good decisions. This is why it's linked to a higher risk of accidents and injuries. Long-term, heavy alcohol use can also damage important organs like your liver and brain."
[ASK]: "What are some of the immediate dangers of drinking alcohol that you can think of?"
Slide 6: Cannabis
[SAY]: "Cannabis can seriously impact your developing brain. It can make it harder to remember things, learn new information, and even focus. There are also links to mental health issues like anxiety or depression for some young people who use it regularly. And just like smoking anything, smoking cannabis can hurt your lungs."
Peer Pressure & Refusal Skills (Slides 7-8) (10 minutes)
[SAY]: "Peer pressure is when people your age influence you to act a certain way. It's really common, and it can be direct, like someone saying, 'Come on, just try it!' or it can be indirect, where you just feel like 'everyone else is doing it, so I should too.'"
[SAY]: "Saying 'NO' can feel hard, especially when you're with friends. But it's actually a really powerful skill. Look at the strategies on the slide—which of these do you think might work best for you, and why?"
Decision Dilemma Cards Activity Decision Dilemma Cards
Work with your group to analyze each scenario. Discuss the risks and practice your refusal skills.
Card 1: The Vape Offer
"You are at a friend's house after school. Older kids pull out a sleek new vape. They pass it to you: 'It's just flavored vapor, no big deal. Don't be lame.'"
Analyze
What's happening?
Potential Risks?
How would you respond?
Card 2: The Party Drink
"Your best friend invites you to a small party while parents are out. Older siblings are passing around beer. Your friend whispers: 'Just one sip, no one will know.'"
Analyze
What's happening?
Potential Risks?
How would you respond?
Card 3: The "Chill" Park
"New group of friends at the park. Someone rolls a joint and offers it to you: 'Just chill with us. It'll help you relax.' You really want to fit in."
Analyze
What's happening?
Potential Risks?
How would you respond?
Card 4: The Mystery Drink
"At a school dance, a classmate offers you a water bottle: 'This is a special energy mix I made!' It smells strange and the classmate seems unusually hyper."
Analyze
What's happening?
Potential Risks?
How would you respond?
Cut along the edges to create individual scenario cards for group discussion.
My Healthy Choices Worksheet My Healthy Choices
Personal Reflection & Planning
Name: ________________________________
Date: ________________________________
Instructions: Reflect on today's lesson and the activity. Use this worksheet to think about your own strategies for making healthy decisions.
1 Part 1: Understanding Risks
1. List two common substances we discussed today and one serious risk associated with each for teenagers.
Substance 1
Primary Risk
Substance 2
Primary Risk
2. Why is it especially risky for your developing brain to use substances like nicotine, alcohol, or cannabis?
2 Part 2: Practicing Refusal Skills
1. Choose one scenario from the activity (or a similar situation). Briefly describe it:
2. Which refusal skill(s) would you use in that situation? Explain how you would use them.
3. Imagine a friend keeps pressuring you even after you say no. What would your next step be?
3 Part 3: My Personal Commitment
1. What are three healthy activities or hobbies you enjoy that help you relax or have fun without using substances?
2. Identify one trusted adult you could talk to if you or a friend were struggling with peer pressure.
3. My Personal Commitment
Write down a personal commitment to yourself about making healthy choices and staying true to your values.
My Healthy Choices Answer Key Answer Key & Teacher Guide
My Healthy Choices Worksheet
Internal Use Only
Part 1: Understanding Risks
1. Substances and Risks (Examples):
Substance: Nicotine / Vaping
Risks: Highly addictive (especially for teens), lung damage, harms brain development (memory/learning).
Substance: Alcohol
Risks: Impaired judgment, high risk of accidents/injuries, long-term liver and brain damage.
2. Why is it especially risky for a developing brain?
"The teenage brain is still growing, especially the prefrontal cortex which handles decision-making. Substances can disrupt this development, leading to long-term memory issues, mental health risks (anxiety/depression), and a much higher chance of addiction later in life."
Part 2: Refusal Skills Guidance
Common Refusal Skills Students Should Mention:
Simple No: "No thanks, I'm good."Excuses: "I have a big game tomorrow," or "My parents check my phone."Alternative: "Let's go grab a snack at the shop instead."Walking Away: Leaving the situation if it becomes uncomfortable.
Next Steps for Persistent Pressure:
"Students should identify that walking away is a valid final step, and that talking to a supportive friend or a trusted adult is necessary if the pressure doesn't stop."
Part 3: Personal Commitment
Healthy Hobbies:
Look for active or creative outlets:
Sports/Exercise
Art/Drawing/Gaming
Cooking/Baking
Reading/Writing
Trusted Adults:
Answers should be specific names or roles:
School Counselor
Coach or Club Leader
Parent/Guardian
Older Sibling or Cousin
Commitment Statement Check:
"Check that the student's statement is personal and positive. It should reflect their own values and goals for their health and future."
