PRIMARY 3: SOCIAL STUDIES – SECOND TERM | WEEK 2

TOPIC: DRUG ABUSE – MEANING AND WAYS DRUGS ENTER THE BODY

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

1. Pictures of medicines.
2. Empty, clean medicine containers.
3. Picture charts showing safe medicine use.
4. Flashcards.
5. Pupils’ writing books and pencils.

B: REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of work.
2. Recommended Social Studies textbook for Primary 3.
3. Online educational resources.

C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

The pupils have learnt the meaning of medicines, types of medicines and the importance of taking medicines only with responsible adult or professional guidance.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

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

1. Explain the meaning of drug abuse.
2. Differentiate between proper drug use and drug abuse.
3. Mention examples of drug abuse.
4. Mention ways medicines may enter the body.
5. State dangers of using medicines carelessly.
6. State rules for avoiding drug abuse.

E: CONTENT

Meaning of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse means using a drug or medicine wrongly or in a harmful way. A person may abuse medicine by:

1. Taking medicine without proper instruction.
2. Taking more than the prescribed amount.
3. Taking another person’s medicine.
4. Taking medicine for the wrong reason.
5. Taking unknown substances.

Proper Drug Use

Proper drug use means taking medicine:

• For the right reason.
• In the correct amount.
• At the correct time.
• According to professional instructions.

✅ Correct use: Taking medicine as directed by a doctor or responsible adult. ❌ Wrong use: Taking several tablets because you want to recover faster.

Ways Drugs May Enter the Body

Medicines may enter the body in different ways. Examples include:

1. Swallowing tablets or capsules.
2. Drinking liquid medicines.
3. Applying creams or ointments to the skin.
4. Using drops in the eyes, ears or nose when directed.
5. Injection given by qualified health professionals.

Dangers of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse may:

• Make a person very sick.
• Damage parts of the body.
• Cause harmful reactions.
• Lead to accidents.
• Create dependence on harmful substances.

Avoiding Drug Abuse

Children should:

1. Never take medicines by themselves.
2. Never share medicines.
3. Report unknown drugs to an adult.
4. Follow instructions from responsible adults and qualified health workers.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

1. Revises the meaning of medicine.
2. Explains the meaning of drug abuse.
3. Gives examples of proper and improper drug use.
4. Shows ways medicines may enter the body.
5. Discusses dangers of drug abuse.
6. Explains how children can avoid drug abuse.
7. Asks pupils simple questions.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

1. Explain drug abuse.
2. Identify examples of drug abuse.
3. Differentiate proper and improper drug use.
4. Mention ways medicines enter the body.
5. State dangers of drug abuse.
6. Mention ways of avoiding drug abuse.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises the meaning of drug abuse and the safe use of medicines. The teacher reminds pupils never to take drugs or medicines without proper guidance.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

1. What is drug abuse?
2. Mention three examples of drug abuse.
3. Mention four ways medicines may enter the body.
4. Who should give an injection?
5. Mention three dangers of drug abuse.
6. State three ways children can avoid drug abuse.