How to Teach a Class of Kids About Drugs

Some children will have already experienced the effects of drug-taking.

Teaching kids about drugs may seem an easy task, but in reality, it is tough. The curriculum dictates that teachers must address this subject. But few topics are as controversial as this one. Teachers must present the facts in particular ways that may not seem to be all that effective in reducing or eliminating drug use among teenagers. Marsha Rosenbaum, Ph.D., argues that the vast amounts of money that are directed at this area of education have failed to impact on the drug-taking rates. The teacher needs to make the best effort possible at delivering the message effectively and avoiding the pitfalls.

Instructions

1. Develop an honest and supportive relationship with your students. Reinforce the message that your door is open if they want to talk to you about personal or home problems. This makes it more likely that they will tell you if they are being pressurized to buy or use drugs within or outside the school. Refer them to appropriate agencies, such as the school counselor or social services, if they have a problem with drugs in the family and if this is affecting their well-being.

2. Give information about drugs in a factual and accurate way. Invite outside agencies into the classroom to speak to the students, if this is appropriate. The school may follow programs, such as D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Program). Liaise with your principal and other teachers about this and other cross-school measures, such as anti-bullying and security policies designed to keep drugs off the school premises.

3. Teach the children about drugs in an age-appropriate way. It may be counter-productive to give too much information to children and to use too much of the jargon associated with street drug use. This may even glamorize drug use for some kids. Avoid scare tactics, as these can have less and less impact the more extreme they become.

4. Build up children's confidence and self-esteem. Use discussion and role play to teach children ways of asserting themselves and how to resist peer pressure. This is likely to be one of the most effective teaching methods, as you are handing the child the tools and improving his ability to make wise decisions.

References

• The National Council on Crime and Delinquency; "Kids, Drugs and Drug Education, A Harm Reduction Approach"; Marsha Rosenbaum, Ph.D.
• american Council for Drugs Education: Facts for Educators

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish