Drug Abuse – Basic 1 Security Education Lesson Note (Third Term)

Drug abuse means using medicine in a wrong way. It includes taking medicine when you are not sick, taking too much, taking someone else’s medicine, and using drugs such as cigarettes and alcohol to feel good. Drug abuse can harm the body and even cause death. Children should take medicine only when sick, and only from a parent or nurse.

Behavioural objectives

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

• say what drug abuse means
• name ways in which drugs can be abused
• state some dangers of drug abuse
• list ways to avoid drug abuse
• say NO to cigarettes, alcohol and other bad drugs

What is drug abuse?

• Drug abuse means using medicine wrongly
• Taking medicine in a bad way
• Using medicine when you are not sick
• Taking too much medicine

How can drugs be abused?

1. Taking medicine without being sick

• You are not ill but you take medicine
• This is wrong

2. Taking too much medicine

• Taking more than the doctor said
• Taking medicine too many times
• This is dangerous

3. Taking someone else’s medicine

• Taking medicine meant for another person
• This is very wrong
• It can harm you

4. Not following instructions

• The doctor says take 1 spoon, but you take 3 spoons
• This is abuse
• It is dangerous

5. Taking medicine at the wrong time

• Medicine should be taken at specific times
• Morning, afternoon or night
• Not following this is wrong

6. Mixing different medicines

• Taking many medicines together without asking the doctor
• This can be harmful

7. Using drugs to feel good (for adults)

• Some people use drugs such as cigarettes and alcohol
• Children should never do this
• This is very dangerous abuse

What are examples of drug abuse among children?

• Taking cough syrup when you do not have a cough
• Taking headache medicine when your head is fine
• Taking your sibling’s medicine
• Drinking too much medicine to “get better faster”

What are the dangers of drug abuse?

1. You can get very sick

• Your body can react badly
• You can have serious problems

2. Damage to your body

• Your stomach can be harmed
• Your liver and kidney can be damaged
• This is very serious

3. Poisoning

• Too much medicine can poison you
• This can be life-threatening

4. Addiction (for older people)

• Your body becomes dependent on the drug
• You cannot stop using it
• This is very bad

5. Death

• In serious cases, drug abuse can cause death
• This is why it is very important to use medicine correctly

How can we avoid drug abuse?

1. Only take medicine when sick

• If you are not sick, do not take medicine
• Medicine is only for sick people

2. Let adults give you medicine

• Do not take medicine by yourself
• Ask your parents or a nurse

3. Follow the doctor’s instructions

• Take the right amount
• Take it at the right time
• Do not take more

4. Do not share medicine

• Your medicine is for you only
• Do not give it to others
• Do not take medicine from others

5. Ask questions

• If you do not understand, ask
• “Why am I taking this medicine?”
• “How much should I take?”

6. Store medicine properly

• Keep it in a safe place
• Keep it away from small children
• Keep it in the original container

7. Say NO to bad drugs

• If someone offers you cigarettes, alcohol or other bad drugs
• Say NO loudly
• Tell your parents

Important message

• Medicine is helpful when used correctly
• Medicine is harmful when abused
• Always listen to the doctor
• Always tell your parents if you feel sick

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Drug abuse means using medicine _____.
   • a) correctly
   • b) wrongly
   • c) carefully
2. We should _____ take medicine by ourselves.
   • a) always
   • b) not
   • c) quickly
3. Taking too much medicine is _____.
   • a) good
   • b) dangerous
   • c) fun
4. Medicine should be taken when you are _____.
   • a) playing
   • b) sick
   • c) happy
5. We should _____ the doctor’s instructions.
   • a) ignore
   • b) follow
   • c) forget

Assignment

1. Tell your parents what drug abuse means.
2. Write: Only take medicine when sick.
3. Draw a bottle with medicine and put an X on it (to show that we must not abuse it).
4. List 3 dangers of drug abuse.