PRIMARY 6: CIVIC EDUCATION – THIRD TERM | WEEK 5

TOPIC: DRUG ABUSE

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

1. Chart showing dangers of drug abuse.
2. Pictures illustrating healthy and unhealthy behaviour.
3. Flashcards showing causes of drug abuse.
4. Short story on peer pressure.
5. Pupils’ notebooks and pencils.

B: REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of work.
2. Recommended Civic Education textbook for Primary 6.
3. Online educational resources.

C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

The pupils have learnt about drugs, drug education and the importance of using medicines correctly.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

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

1. Explain drug abuse.
2. Distinguish proper drug use from drug abuse.
3. Mention causes of drug abuse.
4. State effects of drug abuse.
5. Explain the role of peer pressure.
6. Mention ways of preventing drug abuse.

E: CONTENT

Meaning of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse means using drugs or substances wrongly, excessively or without proper medical guidance.

Proper Drug Use

Proper drug use means:

• taking medicine prescribed or recommended appropriately;
• following dosage instructions;
• taking medicine for the correct reason;
• obeying health professionals.

Examples of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse may include:

• taking medicine without proper guidance;
• taking too much medicine;
• using someone else’s prescription medicine;
• using harmful substances to become intoxicated;
• continuing to use a drug in a harmful way.

Causes of Drug Abuse

Some causes include:

1. Peer pressure.
2. Curiosity.
3. Bad influence.
4. Lack of proper guidance.
5. Stress.
6. Desire to imitate others.
7. Easy access to harmful substances.

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure occurs when friends or people of the same age influence someone to do something. Pupils should say no when friends encourage harmful behaviour.

Effects of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse may cause:

• poor health;
• poor school performance;
• family problems;
• accidents;
• crime;
• loss of self-control;
• damage to body organs;
• dependence.

Prevention of Drug Abuse

We can prevent drug abuse by:

1. Avoiding bad company.
2. Refusing unknown substances.
3. Following medical instructions.
4. Seeking help from responsible adults.
5. Learning about the dangers of drugs.
6. Choosing good friends.
7. Practising healthy habits.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

1. Explains drug abuse.
2. Compares proper drug use with drug abuse.
3. Discusses causes of drug abuse.
4. Explains peer pressure.
5. Discusses effects of drug abuse.
6. Teaches pupils ways of saying no to harmful substances.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

1. Define drug abuse.
2. Distinguish proper use from abuse.
3. Mention causes.
4. Explain peer pressure.
5. State effects.
6. Suggest preventive measures.
7. Answer questions.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises the causes, effects and prevention of drug abuse. The teacher encourages pupils to reject harmful substances and seek help from responsible adults whenever they feel pressured.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

1. What is drug abuse?
2. State two differences between proper drug use and drug abuse.
3. Mention five causes of drug abuse.
4. What is peer pressure?
5. Mention five effects of drug abuse.
6. State five ways of preventing drug abuse.