STANDARD 2.3    (DRUGS AND MEDICINES) ALL STUDENTS WILL LEARN AND APPLY INFORMATION ABOUT ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, OTHER DRUGS AND MEDICINES TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT SUPPORT A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE. 

 

Descriptive Statement:  This standard aims to provide students with information on the responsible use of medicines as well as the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.  The appropriate use of medicines can prevent serious health problems, reduce absenteeism from work and school, and enhance the quality of life.  Conversely, the misuse or abuse of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs can impair judgment and lead to illness and injury.  Helping students to acknowledge the internal and external pressures that influence them to use substances enables and empowers them to make choices that support a healthy, active lifestyle.

 

Cumulative Progress Indicators

 

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 6, students will:

 

A. Medicines

        1. Discuss factors to consider when choosing an over-the-counter medicine.

        2. Discuss medicines used to treat common diseases and health conditions.

        3. Discuss the safe administration and storage of over-the-counter and prescription medicines.

        4. Describe factors that impact the effectiveness of a medicine.

 

B. Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs

        1. Describe how tobacco use contributes to the incidence of respiratory diseases, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

        2. Describe ways to reduce the health impact of tobacco smoke on non-smokers.

        3. Describe how the use and abuse of alcohol impacts behavior and contributes to the incidence of illness and injuries.

        4. Discuss the short- and long-term physical and behavioral effects of inhalant use, including brain, heart, and lung damage and death.

        5. Discuss the classifications of illegal drugs and controlled substances and give examples of each.

        6. Describe the physical and behavioral effects of each classification of drugs.

        7. Discuss the relationship between injected drug use and diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

        8. Discuss the legal and financial consequences of the use, sale, and possession of illegal substances.

 

C. Dependency/Addiction and Treatment

        1. Describe the signs and symptoms of a substance abuse problem and the stages that lead to dependency/addiction.

        2. Identify ways to quit using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs and discuss factors that support an individual to quit.

        3. Discuss factors that contribute to the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs by adolescents, such as advertising and the media, group

            pressures, low self esteem, genetics, and poor role models.

        4. Describe how substance abuse affects the individual and the family and describe ways that family and friends can support a drug- free lifestyle.

 

 

 

Link to Standard 2.3 Grade 3-4

 

Link to Standard 2.3 Grade 7-8

 

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