Drugs, alcohol and tobacco: the actual risks
Accurate information works better than scare stories, because scare stories fall apart the moment a young person meets one exception.
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the risks of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and where to get support
Key learning points
- • The facts, briefly
- • Pressure is rarely a shove
- • Where to get help
This lesson at a glance
- 20 minutes
- 20 parts to scroll through
- 4 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 20
Visual introductionPicture this
Drugs, alcohol and tobacco: the actual risks
Accurate information works better than scare stories, because scare stories fall apart the moment a young person meets one exception.
In a nutshell
Understand the risks of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and where to get support
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 20
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · The facts, briefly
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 20
Learn
The facts, briefly
Alcohol affects a developing brain more than an adult one and is a factor in accidents and regretted decisions. Smoking and vaping deliver nicotine, which is strongly addictive; long-term effects of vaping are still being studied, and selling either to under-eighteens is illegal. Illegal drugs vary hugely in strength and content, which is where much of the danger sits.
Reset break
Part 4 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 20
Learn
Pressure is rarely a shove
It usually arrives as ordinary social pressure: everyone else appears to be doing it. Having a prepared line helps — 'not for me', a reason that is boring, or simply going to get a drink. A plan made in a calm moment works better than a decision made in a loud room.
Quick check
Part 6 of 20
Quick check
Part 7 of 20
Reset break
Part 8 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 20
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Where to get help
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 20
Learn
Where to get help
A GP, school nurse, FRANK for drug information and Childline for confidential talk. Someone worried about a friend or a family member can use the same services. Asking a question is not a confession.
Quick check
Part 11 of 20
Reset break
Part 12 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 13 of 20
Explore the idea
Part 14 of 20
Worked example
Worked example: a plan you would actually use
A vague 'I'll just say no' rarely survives contact with a real evening. A usable plan is specific: who you will stand near, what you will say, how you will get home, and one person you can message. Deciding those four things in advance removes most of the pressure in the moment.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 20
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Reset break
Part 16 of 20
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 17 of 20
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
____ affects a developing brain more than an adult one and is a factor in accidents and regretted decisions.
It usually arrives as ordinary social ____: everyone else appears to be doing it.
Challenge round
Part 18 of 20
Game · Recall cards
Why does alcohol affect teenagers differently?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 19 of 20
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Drugs, alcohol and tobacco: the actual risks
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Why does alcohol affect teenagers differently?
2. What makes nicotine a particular risk?
3. What does pressure usually look like?
4. Where can someone get confidential information?
Lesson round-up
Part 20 of 20
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
Not sat
Games
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Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 4 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 20 · Watch & discover