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As an educator, you play an important role in educating your students about how drugs affect their body, brain, and behavior. National Institute of Drugs Abuse has a range of age-appropriate curricula and activities designed to help you in this challenging role and support your efforts in the classroom. The lessons and activities promote an understanding of drug abuse and addiction and a curiosity about Neuroscience.
Courtesy National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Health
“Mind Matters” series, developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health. “Mind Matters” includes nine engaging printed materials designed to help students in grades 5 – 8 understand the biological effects of drug misuse on the brain and body, along with identifying how these drug-induced changes affect both behaviors and emotions. There is no more important time to address these issues with adolescents than in the middle school years when they are forming opinions about the health risks of drugs. These educational materials are also easy to print and use.
When used in combination with the printed materials, the background information and lesson plans contained in this guide will help students understand the physical reality of drug use and inspire curiosity about neuroscience. Some activities to reinforce the topics are suggested at the end of the guide. You can also develop some of your own. These files are in PDF format.
Mind Matters: Drugs & The Brain
Mind Matters: K2/Spice & Bath Salts
Mind Matters: Prescription Stimulants
Use these lessons to teach the effects of drug abuse on the body and brain
Expand your drug education curriculum with these units about the brain and the effects of drugs on the body.
Share these articles and activities about drug abuse from National Institute on Drug Abuse and Scholastic with your students.
LifeSkills Training: Designed for: Elementary/Middle/Junior/High school students
Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) is a research-validated substance abuse prevention program proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors. This program provides adolescents and young teens with the confidence and skills necessary to successfully handle challenging situations.
NIDA for Teens is an online educational initiative that provides science-based information about teen prescription drug abuse prevention.
The trusted source for science-based information on teen drug use and its effects.
