
Week Six
Subject: Security Education
Class: Primary One
Week of the Third Term: 6th Week
Topic: Substance Awareness
Subtopic: Taking Hard Drugs – Meaning, Effects, and Prevention
Instructional Objectives
At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain what hard drugs are in simple terms.
- Identify two harmful effects of taking hard drugs.
- List three ways to prevent the intake of hard drugs.
Entry Behaviour
Pupils should have a basic understanding of different substances, including medicines and foods. They may have heard about the importance of making healthy choices.
Instructional Materials
- Textbook: “Security Education for Primary School Book 1”
- Visual aids: Pictures of substances, highlighting the difference between hard drugs and safe medicines
- Chart: List of preventive measures against hard drugs
Reference Materials
Muhammed, A., Ogunniyi, D., & Chime, K. (2016). Security Education for Primary School Book 1. Spectrum Book Limited. Lagos.
Content
Substance Awareness: Taking Hard Drugs
What Are Hard Drugs?
Hard drugs are powerful substances that can change how our bodies and minds work. They include illegal drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines. Taking these drugs can be very dangerous and can lead to serious health problems.
Effects of Taking Hard Drugs:
- Health Problems: Hard drugs can harm our bodies, causing issues like heart problems, breathing difficulties, and even death.
- Changes in Behavior: These drugs can affect how we think and act, making us do things we usually wouldn’t do. This can lead to problems at home and school.
- Addiction: Hard drugs are very addictive, meaning people can find it hard to stop using them even when they want to.
How to Prevent Taking Hard Drugs:
- Say No: Learn to say no to drugs when offered. It’s okay to walk away from a situation where drugs are present.
- Talk to Trusted Adults: If you have questions about drugs or feel pressured to try them, talk to a parent, teacher, or another trusted adult.
- Stay Informed: Learn about the dangers of hard drugs so you can make smart choices and avoid them.
Lesson Presentation (Step-by-Step Procedure)
Step 1: Introduction
Start the lesson by asking pupils if they know what a “drug” is. Encourage them to share their thoughts about why some substances might be harmful. Introduce the term “hard drugs” and explain that they are not safe to use.
Step 2: Explanation
Define hard drugs in simple language. Use visual aids to show examples of hard drugs and safe substances. Discuss the harmful effects of taking hard drugs, such as health problems and addiction.
Step 3: Demonstration
Demonstrate the difference between safe and unsafe substances using pictures or videos. Share a brief story about someone who made a bad choice with drugs and what happened as a result, emphasizing the importance of making safe choices.
Step 4: Guided Practice
Engage pupils in a discussion about why it is important to say no to hard drugs. Ask guiding questions like, “How do hard drugs make people feel?” and “What can we do to stay away from them?”
Step 5: Independent Practice
Have pupils draw a picture that shows a healthy choice they can make instead of using hard drugs. They should label their drawings and write one sentence about how to stay safe.
Step 6: Feedback
Provide feedback as pupils complete their drawings. Reinforce the correct concepts about hard drugs and highlight healthy alternatives they can choose.
Evaluation
Formative Assessment:
Observe pupil responses during discussions and review their drawings to assess their understanding of hard drugs and their effects.
Summative Assessment:
At the end of the lesson, ask pupils to share one thing they learned about hard drugs and how to avoid them during a group discussion.
Summary/Conclusion
Summarize the lesson by reviewing the meaning of hard drugs, their harmful effects, and the importance of preventing their use. Emphasize making healthy choices and seeking help from trusted adults.
Assignment
For homework, ask pupils to talk to an adult about one healthy activity they enjoy and how it helps them stay safe. They should write down what they learned and share it in the next lesson, encouraging them to think about positive choices.

