The overall aims of this grade
8 unit are to strengthen students’ understanding of
the factors that influence substance-use decisions and to
help them make healthy substance-use decisions. An
important ingredient of sound decision making is having a
clear understanding of risks and harms linked to substance
use—those concerning alcohol and cannabis mainly will
be presented. The remainder of the unit aims to increase
knowledge and skills pertaining to family and media
influences.
The assumption here is that alcohol and/or cannabis will
still be the substances of choice and most easily
available. However, the Nova Scotia Student Drug
Use Survey 2007 shows that hallucinogens
(mescaline or psilocybin) are the third most frequently
used category of psychoactive substances. The Healthy
Living curriculum also identifies a discussion of
over-the-counter and prescription drug misuse as required
outcomes for grade 8 students. The best knowledge available
on junior high school–level drug education advises
that the program focus on the drugs that are available to
students rather than provide a broad education on all
substances. Yet, what is available and what is in use can
change at a faster pace than survey data can report. This
first lesson in Healthy Living 8 is designed to help
teachers identify what other substances are available to
their students to help them tailor the activity plans to
those specific substances.