Drug and Substance Abuse (Lesson note)

Detailed Lesson Note

Subject: Basic Science
Class: JSS 3 (Grade 9)
Topic: Drug and Substance Abuse
Theme: Science and Development
Sub-topic: Effects, Prevention, Activities of Drug Control Agencies, and Misuse of Herbal Medicines
Date: To be inserted by the teacher
Duration: 40 Minutes
Average Age: 14–15 years
Class Size: To be inserted by the teacher
Sex: Mixed
Teacher: To be inserted by the teacher

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Instructional Objectives

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

1. List the effects of drug abuse such as stomach upset, damaged nostrils and lungs, and skin rashes. (Knowledge – Lower domain)
2. Explain ways of preventing drug abuse such as proper counseling and good parental guidance. (Comprehension – Middle domain)
3. Analyze the activities of drug control agencies like NAFDAC and NDLEA. (Analysis – Higher domain)
4. Evaluate the misuse of herbal medicines and suggest correct usage. (Evaluation – Higher domain)

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Instructional Materials

• Charts/pictures showing effects of drug abuse (lungs, skin, nostrils).
• Samples of drug packs (legal/illegal if possible).
• Flashcards with NAFDAC and NDLEA logos.
• Whiteboard/marker.
• Projector (if available).

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Previous Knowledge

Students know about medicine as substances used to treat sickness and must have heard about people misusing drugs in their environment.

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Lesson Development (40 mins)

Step 1: Introduction (5 mins)

• Teacher greets the students and sets class in order.
• Teacher asks: “Have you heard of anyone misusing drugs in your community? What happened to them?”
• Students respond with examples (e.g., “A boy who sniffed glue and fainted”).
• Teacher links responses to the topic Drug and Substance Abuse and writes it on the board.

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Step 2: Effects of Drug Abuse (7 mins)

• Teacher explains: “Drug abuse is the misuse of drugs, either by taking too much, taking without prescription, or taking for the wrong reasons.”
• Teacher lists effects:
• Stomach upset
• Damaged nostrils and lungs (from sniffing/inhalants)
• Skin rashes
• Mental illness
• Addiction and loss of focus in school
• Teacher shows pictures/charts of damaged organs.
• Students repeat and write down effects in their notebooks.

Evaluation Question: Mention two effects of drug abuse.

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Step 3: Prevention of Drug Abuse (7 mins)

• Teacher explains preventive measures:
• Good parental care and monitoring
• Peer influence avoidance
• Proper counseling in schools
• Public campaigns against drug abuse
• Strong religious and moral training
• Teacher asks: “How can you personally avoid drug abuse?”
• Students suggest ways like avoiding bad friends, not taking unprescribed drugs, etc.

Evaluation Question: State two ways drug abuse can be prevented.

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Step 4: Activities of Drug Control Agencies (8 mins)

• Teacher introduces agencies:
• NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control)
• Ensures drugs and food are safe for use.
• Certifies and bans fake/substandard drugs.
• Monitors importation and sale of drugs.
• NDLEA (National Drug Law Enforcement Agency)
• Arrests and prosecutes drug traffickers.
• Prevents smuggling of hard drugs.
• Educates the public on dangers of drugs.
• Students do a role-play: one acts as NAFDAC officer checking drugs in a pharmacy, another as NDLEA official arresting a trafficker.

Evaluation Question: What is one function of NAFDAC? What is one role of NDLEA?

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Step 5: Misuse of Herbal Medicines (8 mins)

• Teacher explains:
• Herbal medicines can be misused when taken in overdose, prepared unhygienically, or mixed with alcohol.
• They may lack dosage regulation and can cause harm to internal organs.
• Teacher guides students to suggest safer usage:
• Seek advice from trained professionals.
• Avoid taking unknown herbal mixtures.
• Students discuss examples they have seen in their communities.

Evaluation Question: Mention one danger of misusing herbal medicines.

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Step 6: Conclusion (5 mins)

• Teacher summarizes the lesson:
• Effects of drug abuse (health and social problems).
• Prevention strategies.
• Activities of drug control agencies (NAFDAC, NDLEA).
• Misuse of herbal medicines.
• Teacher encourages students: “Say no to drugs, and be ambassadors of a drug-free Nigeria.”

Closing Question: List four things you learned today.

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Evaluation (Class Assessment)

1. Mention three effects of drug abuse.
2. State two ways drug abuse can be prevented.
3. What is one function of NAFDAC?
4. What is one role of NDLEA?
5. Mention one danger of misusing herbal medicines.

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Assignment

1. Write five effects of drug abuse on the human body.
2. Explain three reasons why young people abuse drugs.
3. Suggest two ways government can help reduce drug abuse in Nigeria.