Strategies to Educate Students on Substance Abuse

Drug usage is becoming a major problem for youth in today’s society. Because drugs and other substances are frequently presented in media that children are often exposed to, they are often persuaded to engage in such negative behaviors. Media however, is not youth’s only persuasion factor. Many children often grow up in households where drugs are used and sometimes abused. Since more and more youth are now “trying” drugs, it is important for educators to begin educating students as early as Kindergarten on promoting a healthy drug-free lifestyle.

As a second grade teacher in a school division where substance abuse is relatively high and many of the student’s parents engage in substance abuse, it is important that effective strategies that are conceptually appropriate for this grade level are implemented in the classroom. Telling students that drugs are bad or they will die if they participate in substance abuse have both been proven to be ineffective approaches in promoting a drug free lifestyle. I feel that I should devote more time to specifically discuss the variety of drugs that children can be exposed to, the short term effects of using drugs, strategies to communicate effectively without turning to drugs, and other facts that are developmentally appropriate for such a young age group. Most children in second grade today are only aware of the most common drugs such as cigarettes (tobacco) and alcohol whereas in reality, there are a number of other drugs that are now being used. Prior to having a class discussion on drug and substance abuse, students should be introduced to the number of other drugs that are often placed in the other category such as marijuana, inhalants, and over-the-counter or prescription drugs. It is imp...

... middle of paper ...

...drug and substance abuse is relatively high in the community, I would then inform students that even if their parents or family members engage in such behaviors, they should not negatively talk about them. Instead, they should encourage them that they can deviate from the negative behaviors and the child should show them that they are willing to help them receive intervention. My goal in educating students about drug and substance abuse is not scare them with the deadly diseases or health implications that result from engaging in such behavior, but to simply increase their awareness of the issue and hope that they will continue to make smart decisions and live a health, drug-free lifestyle.

References

Telljohann, Susan K. (2012). Health Education: Elementary and Middle School Applications (Seventh Edition). McGraw-Hill Publishing Company. ISBN: 978-0-07-352968-4