Substance Awareness

A comprehensive, in-depth unit on mental health literacy, identifying system alerts (Anxiety, Depression, Anger), and building a proactive coping toolkit. Includes detailed reading, scenario analysis, and a 10-question final assessment.

This lesson explores the biological reality of how drugs and alcohol interfere with the body's natural stress response, providing students with scientific evidence to debunk common myths and offering healthy, long-term coping strategies.

A comprehensive lesson exploring the science of energy drinks, their health impacts, and how to make better beverage choices through scenario analysis and data comparison.

Students explore the concept of neuroplasticity and the brain's ability to heal over time with cessation and support. They research evidence-based treatments, moving the focus to hope and recovery.

Students participate in a 'Life Wallet' activity where they have limited resources (time, money, relationships) that get depleted by the 'cost' of maintaining an addiction. They visualize the loss of hobbies, friends, and goals.

Students map the cycle of 'Binge, Crash, Craving.' They analyze how the need to avoid the crash becomes the primary motivator, rather than the desire for the high. This shifts the perspective from pleasure-seeking to pain-avoidance.

Using a resource-management game mechanic, students simulate how the brain adapts to stimulants, requiring more 'credits' (drug) to achieve the same 'score' (high). This demonstrates the biological reality of tolerance.

Students design informational materials to educate peers on the dangers of stimulant misuse and the risks of mixing substances.

Students learn evidence-based study strategies and stress management techniques to replace the perceived need for chemical assistance.

This lesson covers the legal ramifications of sharing or possessing prescription drugs without a script and explores the ethics of academic fairness.

Students analyze case studies of 'study drug' misuse to identify negative side effects like anxiety and sleep deprivation that counteract perceived academic benefits.

Students categorize stimulants into prescription and illicit groups and discuss the regulations governing Schedule II substances, clarifying the intended medical use of ADHD medications.

Students research and compile local and national support resources into a visual guide, ensuring they know where to turn for professional help.

Students learn how to recognize signs of stimulant misuse in friends and practice using 'I statements' to offer support and connect them with adults.

In small groups, students practice refusal scripts in realistic scenarios involving energy drinks and pills, focusing on body language and assertive tone.

Students learn and analyze specific verbal refusal techniques like 'The Broken Record' and 'The Alternative' to build a toolkit for handling peer pressure.

Students identify internal and external pressures that lead to stimulant use, such as academic stress or social anxiety, to help them anticipate high-risk situations.

Students categorize different stimulants, distinguishing between prescription meds, OTC items, and illicit drugs like cocaine and meth, while learning about the dangers of unregulated street drugs.

An in-depth exploration of marijuana for 8th graders, focusing on THC's impact on the developing brain, academic performance, and mental health risks.

A comprehensive introduction to alcohol safety and laws for 7th graders, focusing on physical effects, legal consequences, and refusal skills.

A comprehensive, in-depth unit on mental health literacy, identifying system alerts (Anxiety, Depression, Anger), and building a proactive coping toolkit. Includes detailed reading, scenario analysis, and a 10-question final assessment.

This lesson explores the immediate and long-term health risks associated with vaping THC, focusing on the physiological impact on the respiratory and nervous systems. Students will analyze the chemical components of vape aerosols and evaluate the potential consequences for their health and future.

Students synthesize their research into advocacy materials (brochures, cards) and practice interpersonal skills for suggesting support to a friend.

Inquiry-based lesson where students research local and national substance abuse support resources, verifying contact details and services provided.

Students analyze the social and emotional barriers that prevent teens from seeking help for substance use, focusing on de-stigmatizing mental health support.

Students explore the psychological and physical cycle of dependency, including the roles of tolerance and withdrawal. They map the brain's reward system and how it adapts to substance use.

Students define and distinguish between experimental use, regular use, and Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). They review simplified DSM-5 criteria for addiction, focusing on loss of control and negative impacts.

A culminating activity where students navigate realistic social simulations, applying their refusal and exit skills in real-time with peer feedback.

Students design personalized exit strategies for situations where refusal isn't enough. They brainstorm code words and practice transitioning out of unsafe environments.

Students develop concrete safety plans for emergency situations, learning to recognize cannabis toxicity and understand Good Samaritan protection.

This lesson focuses on how body language, tone, and eye contact reinforce or undermine a refusal. Students practice confident posture and discuss the impact of mixed messages.

An investigation into the health risks of synthetic cannabinoids and the dangers of contaminants found in unregulated illicit market products.

Students analyze how cannabis affects reaction time and perception, debunking myths about driving while high and reviewing safety data.

Students learn and practice five distinct verbal refusal techniques: the broken record, the excuse, the better alternative, the reverse pressure, and the direct no. The focus is on finding authentic ways to set boundaries.

This lesson explores the specific risks of edible cannabis products, including delayed onset of effects and high potency, leading to accidental overconsumption.

Students categorize different types of peer pressure, from direct offers to indirect social cues, and analyze scenarios to identify decision points. This lesson builds foundational awareness of how subtle pressure operates in social groups.

Students decode the differences between state and federal laws, explore why age restrictions exist, and define key legal terms like legalization and decriminalization.

Students design their own health-focused media campaigns to counter misinformation and promote accurate health data.

An in-depth exploration of marijuana for 8th graders, focusing on THC's impact on the developing brain, academic performance, and mental health risks.

A comprehensive introduction to alcohol safety and laws for 7th graders, focusing on physical effects, legal consequences, and refusal skills.

This lesson focuses on building practical refusal skills and strengthening the 'Shield Squad' (support systems). Students learn specific strategies to navigate high-pressure social contexts while acknowledging their inner feelings.

This lesson helps students identify the 'Inner State' (emotions, curiosity, stress) and 'Social Context' (peers, media, environment) that can lead to substance use. Students will develop awareness of these influences to make healthier choices.

An interactive, game-based lesson focusing on the short-term and long-term dangers of underage drinking, refusal skills, and common myths. Students 'level up' their health knowledge through scenario-based challenges.

A comprehensive, in-depth unit on mental health literacy, identifying system alerts (Anxiety, Depression, Anger), and building a proactive coping toolkit. Includes detailed reading, scenario analysis, and a 10-question final assessment.

This lesson explores the biological reality of how drugs and alcohol interfere with the body's natural stress response, providing students with scientific evidence to debunk common myths and offering healthy, long-term coping strategies.

This lesson explores the physiological effects of drugs and alcohol on the body and equips students with practical refusal strategies for peer pressure through a lab-themed investigation.

A 15-minute introductory lesson for 7th graders focused on drug and alcohol awareness, consequences, and refusal skills.

The sequence concludes by shifting focus from self-protection to community care. Students discuss how to support a friend who is being pressured or who has made a poor choice, shifting from a bystander to an 'upstander.'

Learners develop comprehensive plans for removing themselves from unsafe situations, including code words with parents and safe transportation options. Students participate in an 'Escape Room' style logic puzzle to practice strategic exit planning.

Students explore how body language, eye contact, and tone of voice impact the effectiveness of a refusal. They participate in role-plays where they must refuse an offer using solely confident posture and gestures.

Students are introduced to specific verbal frameworks for saying 'no,' such as the 'broken record' technique, using humor, or blaming a strict parent. Students practice these lines in pairs to build muscle memory and confidence.

Students learn to distinguish between spoken (direct) and unspoken (indirect) peer pressure through scenario analysis. They categorize different tactics such as 'the huddle' or 'the tease' to better understand social dynamics.

The sequence concludes by synthesizing short-term impairment with long-term growth risks. Students create a 'Future Self' profile to visualize how protecting their brain now supports their future goals.

This lesson explores the filtration role of the liver and the toxicity of alcohol. Students observe a demonstration using filtration materials to represent how the liver works and what happens when it is overwhelmed.

Students participate in physical tasks to simulate the loss of balance and coordination caused by alcohol. They experience how impairment affects safety and daily activities through guided simulations.

Learners investigate the central nervous system to understand how alcohol functions as a depressant. Through a reaction-time experiment, students measure how slowed processing speeds affect physical reactions.

Students examine the developmental stages of the human brain, specifically focusing on the prefrontal cortex and its role in decision-making. They identify which parts of the brain are still under construction during middle school and why they are vulnerable to alcohol.

An interactive exploration of how substances affect adolescent brains, helping students understand neuronal communication and the impact of healthy choices.

This lesson explores the biological reality of how drugs and alcohol interfere with the body's natural stress response, providing students with scientific evidence to debunk common myths and offering healthy, long-term coping strategies.

Students explore the concept of neuroplasticity and the brain's ability to heal over time with cessation and support. They research evidence-based treatments, moving the focus to hope and recovery.

Students participate in a 'Life Wallet' activity where they have limited resources (time, money, relationships) that get depleted by the 'cost' of maintaining an addiction. They visualize the loss of hobbies, friends, and goals.

Students map the cycle of 'Binge, Crash, Craving.' They analyze how the need to avoid the crash becomes the primary motivator, rather than the desire for the high. This shifts the perspective from pleasure-seeking to pain-avoidance.

Using a resource-management game mechanic, students simulate how the brain adapts to stimulants, requiring more 'credits' (drug) to achieve the same 'score' (high). This demonstrates the biological reality of tolerance.

Students categorize different stimulants, distinguishing between prescription meds, OTC items, and illicit drugs like cocaine and meth, while learning about the dangers of unregulated street drugs.

The final lesson focuses on the role of a supportive friend. Students learn the boundaries of their responsibility—they cannot 'fix' someone, but they can support them in finding an adult or professional.

Students present their campaigns for feedback and discuss real-world distribution within the school community for maximum impact.

Students investigate why people don't get help, including cost, transportation, and fear. They brainstorm community-level solutions to lower these barriers for teenagers.

Teams create their media products focusing on clear, actionable communication and high-quality presentation using design principles.

Students act as researchers to identify local resources, such as hotlines, counseling centers, and support groups (like Al-Anon/Alateen). They create a resource map for their specific town or county.

Student groups define a specific focus for their campaign and draft messages tailored to middle school life using persona cards.

This lesson introduces recovery as a non-linear process involving treatment, relapse prevention, and lifestyle changes. Students learn that recovery is possible and explore success stories.

Students research common myths about opioids and verify facts using credible sources like the CDC and NIH to ensure campaign accuracy.

Students critique historical and current anti-drug advertisements, identifying effective communication strategies for their peer group.

The sequence concludes with practical training on the recovery position and a comprehensive drill that integrates all emergency response steps learned throughout the unit.

An introduction to Naloxone (Narcan) as a life-saving tool, explaining its role as a temporary reversal agent using the fire extinguisher analogy.

Students practice the critical communication skills needed for a 911 call, including providing location, symptom reports, and following dispatcher instructions during a crisis.

This lesson addresses the fear of legal consequences that prevents people from calling for help, exploring the Good Samaritan Laws that protect both the caller and the victim during an overdose.

Students learn to identify the 'Opioid Triad' of symptoms—pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, and respiratory depression—and practice distinguishing between being 'high' and a medical emergency.

This lesson focuses on building practical refusal skills and strengthening the 'Shield Squad' (support systems). Students learn specific strategies to navigate high-pressure social contexts while acknowledging their inner feelings.

This lesson helps students identify the 'Inner State' (emotions, curiosity, stress) and 'Social Context' (peers, media, environment) that can lead to substance use. Students will develop awareness of these influences to make healthier choices.

Students explore the concept of neuroplasticity and the brain's ability to heal over time with cessation and support. They research evidence-based treatments, moving the focus to hope and recovery.

Students participate in a 'Life Wallet' activity where they have limited resources (time, money, relationships) that get depleted by the 'cost' of maintaining an addiction. They visualize the loss of hobbies, friends, and goals.

Students map the cycle of 'Binge, Crash, Craving.' They analyze how the need to avoid the crash becomes the primary motivator, rather than the desire for the high. This shifts the perspective from pleasure-seeking to pain-avoidance.

Using a resource-management game mechanic, students simulate how the brain adapts to stimulants, requiring more 'credits' (drug) to achieve the same 'score' (high). This demonstrates the biological reality of tolerance.

Students design informational materials to educate peers on the dangers of stimulant misuse and the risks of mixing substances.

Students learn evidence-based study strategies and stress management techniques to replace the perceived need for chemical assistance.

This lesson covers the legal ramifications of sharing or possessing prescription drugs without a script and explores the ethics of academic fairness.

Students analyze case studies of 'study drug' misuse to identify negative side effects like anxiety and sleep deprivation that counteract perceived academic benefits.

Students categorize stimulants into prescription and illicit groups and discuss the regulations governing Schedule II substances, clarifying the intended medical use of ADHD medications.

Students research and compile local and national support resources into a visual guide, ensuring they know where to turn for professional help.

Students learn how to recognize signs of stimulant misuse in friends and practice using 'I statements' to offer support and connect them with adults.

In small groups, students practice refusal scripts in realistic scenarios involving energy drinks and pills, focusing on body language and assertive tone.

Students learn and analyze specific verbal refusal techniques like 'The Broken Record' and 'The Alternative' to build a toolkit for handling peer pressure.

Students identify internal and external pressures that lead to stimulant use, such as academic stress or social anxiety, to help them anticipate high-risk situations.

Students categorize different stimulants, distinguishing between prescription meds, OTC items, and illicit drugs like cocaine and meth, while learning about the dangers of unregulated street drugs.

In this culminating project, students synthesize their learning to create a comprehensive map of the body's response to stimulant substances.

This lesson explains homeostasis and why the body 'crashes' after stimulant use, using the rubber band analogy to understand resource depletion.

Students analyze the physiological stress stimulants place on the body, specifically looking at heart rate, blood pressure, and core temperature.

This lesson investigates the specific physical health consequences of vaping on the human body. Students collaborate to research respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological impacts, culminating in a group-led public health awareness campaign.

A comprehensive lesson exploring the health risks of vaping, debunking common myths, and practicing refusal skills through real-world scenarios.

Students identify social pressures and marketing tactics, practicing assertive refusal strategies to navigate real-world situations involving vaping.

Students explore the neurobiology of nicotine addiction, learning how it 'hijacks' the brain's reward system and affects adolescent development.

Students investigate the truth behind common vaping myths and explore the long-term health risks associated with e-cigarette use.

This lesson focuses on building practical refusal skills and strengthening the 'Shield Squad' (support systems). Students learn specific strategies to navigate high-pressure social contexts while acknowledging their inner feelings.

This lesson helps students identify the 'Inner State' (emotions, curiosity, stress) and 'Social Context' (peers, media, environment) that can lead to substance use. Students will develop awareness of these influences to make healthier choices.

A comprehensive, in-depth unit on mental health literacy, identifying system alerts (Anxiety, Depression, Anger), and building a proactive coping toolkit. Includes detailed reading, scenario analysis, and a 10-question final assessment.

A reflective lesson designed for students to evaluate the health risks of vaping and the social pressures that lead to it, focusing on long-term consequences and personal agency.

A focused intervention lesson for a student recently suspended for vaping, covering the biological and mental health impacts of nicotine and aerosol exposure.

This lesson explores the immediate and long-term health risks associated with vaping THC, focusing on the physiological impact on the respiratory and nervous systems. Students will analyze the chemical components of vape aerosols and evaluate the potential consequences for their health and future.

A comprehensive lesson exploring substance and behavioral addictions, focusing on their social and emotional impacts on individuals and their communities.

A lesson designed to equip middle school students with the knowledge to identify vaping risks and the practical skills to resist peer pressure.

Synthesizing learning through reflection and the creation of a personal commitment plan.

Expanding the toolkit to include journaling, physical movement, and creative outlets.

A deep dive into the science and practice of deep breathing as a primary physiological reset.

Identifying personal stress triggers and understanding the physical sensations of stress in the body.

Students explore the chemical reality of nicotine and how it creates a cycle of stress rather than relieving it.

This lesson explores the physiological effects of drugs and alcohol on the body and equips students with practical refusal strategies for peer pressure through a lab-themed investigation.

A high-impact, 10-minute session focused on the immediate and long-term health risks of vaping, designed to dispel myths and provide clear facts for middle or high school students.

An in-depth exploration of marijuana for 8th graders, focusing on THC's impact on the developing brain, academic performance, and mental health risks.

A comprehensive introduction to alcohol safety and laws for 7th graders, focusing on physical effects, legal consequences, and refusal skills.

A comprehensive lesson exploring the health risks of vaping, debunking common myths, and practicing refusal skills through real-world scenarios.

Students identify social pressures and marketing tactics, practicing assertive refusal strategies to navigate real-world situations involving vaping.

Students explore the neurobiology of nicotine addiction, learning how it 'hijacks' the brain's reward system and affects adolescent development.

Students investigate the truth behind common vaping myths and explore the long-term health risks associated with e-cigarette use.

This lesson focuses on building practical refusal skills and strengthening the 'Shield Squad' (support systems). Students learn specific strategies to navigate high-pressure social contexts while acknowledging their inner feelings.

This lesson helps students identify the 'Inner State' (emotions, curiosity, stress) and 'Social Context' (peers, media, environment) that can lead to substance use. Students will develop awareness of these influences to make healthier choices.

An interactive, game-based lesson focusing on the short-term and long-term dangers of underage drinking, refusal skills, and common myths. Students 'level up' their health knowledge through scenario-based challenges.

A comprehensive, in-depth unit on mental health literacy, identifying system alerts (Anxiety, Depression, Anger), and building a proactive coping toolkit. Includes detailed reading, scenario analysis, and a 10-question final assessment.

A reflective lesson designed for students to evaluate the health risks of vaping and the social pressures that lead to it, focusing on long-term consequences and personal agency.

This lesson explores the immediate and long-term health risks associated with vaping THC, focusing on the physiological impact on the respiratory and nervous systems. Students will analyze the chemical components of vape aerosols and evaluate the potential consequences for their health and future.

A 45-minute exploration into the science of human connection, teaching middle schoolers the health benefits of social bonds and how to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors.

A lesson designed to equip middle school students with the knowledge to identify vaping risks and the practical skills to resist peer pressure.

Synthesizing learning through reflection and the creation of a personal commitment plan.

Expanding the toolkit to include journaling, physical movement, and creative outlets.

A deep dive into the science and practice of deep breathing as a primary physiological reset.

Identifying personal stress triggers and understanding the physical sensations of stress in the body.

Students explore the chemical reality of nicotine and how it creates a cycle of stress rather than relieving it.