Substance Misuse Prevention Lessons

December 13, 2023  | By Laura Aavang

Our lessons enable schools to provide a comprehensive substance misuse education to students in grades K-12. Research has demonstrated that early prevention is the only effective deterrence of substance abuse in high school students and that introducing instruction in this area starting in early elementary school will reduce the impact of substance misuse². Furthermore, substance misuse prevention is part of health education standards required in schools nationwide. Our lessons align with national learning objectives and several education state standards.

Topics Covered

• Prescription and over-the-counter medication
• Physiological effects of alcohol, tobacco, fentanyl, and other drugs, including household substances
• Unsafe situations, including drinking and driving
• Poisoning and overdose
• Addiction
• Legal and social consequences of drug misuse
• Emergency 911 help
• Reporting suspected misuse
• Talking to trusted adults
• Refusal skills, avoidance, and healthy alternatives

How to Purchase

Our K-12 substance misuse unit is available for stand-alone purchase. For a more comprehensive health curriculum that also includes substance misuse lessons, please view Health Ed Journeys. Contact our Education Partnerships team at [email protected] for more information.

(2) Pettengill C. A Toolkit to Start Substance use Prevention in Elementary Schools 2021:1-27.