Page 17 - Healthy Habhit
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Rules Around Drugs Newsletter
Explain to the children that all - controlled drugs such as Fair group children into five groups. Tell them that they are going to create a
medicines are drugs. All drugs affect cannabis or ecstacy; and newsletter about medicines. Each group will contribute to a different page of
the body, and there are rules about - other substances. the newsletter. Agree with the children the size and scale of the newsletter (an
how to use them. Read the rules from A3 sized page per group would suffice). Remind them to include a visual and
some over-the-counter medicines. Ask Use the following questions information to answer the question.
the children why they think we need for discussion:
prescriptions to get some medicines Next, ask the groups to assign the roles and responsibilities needed to work
or why only particular people may - How do these substances together to create their own section. Write out the key question (see table below)
handle them. Ask the children who affect people? for each group and ask them to begin the process by having a thought shower
these people might be and where - Who uses these substances? about what to include in their section.
these drugs can be found. Write on the Why?
board: All medicines are drugs, but - What are the rules for
not all drugs are medicines. Ask the controlling them?
children what this might mean. Question Example
Next, explain that a drug is any Role Play Group 1 Where can we get medicines? supermarket, hospital, chemist
substance that, when taken, Group 2 Who can give us medicines? doctor, nurse, mum, pharmacist
has the effect of changing how
a person’s body works and/or Explain to the children that someday Group 3 How can we take medicines? injections, solutions, pills
how a person acts, feels, sees someone might try to persuade them Group 4 How should we store medicines? out of reach, in a sealed container
or thinks. to experiment with drugs. What would
they say? Elicit examples from the Group 5 What are the rules about medicines? only take drugs prescribed by a doctor, etc.
children and write them on the board.
Ask them to call out the names of any
drugs people might use that are not Using the examples, organise a role
medicines. Encourage them to think play to help the children practise Display a Graffiti Board (a sheet of paper where all ideas are welcomed) to gather
about everyday substances such as: what they would do in the situations. suggestions for the name of the newsletter. Follow this with a ‘Dot Vote’ where the
- tea and coffee; Talk with the children about telling a children receive one dot to place beside the name that they think is most suitable
- tobacco and alcohol; trusted adult if they find themselves in for the newsletter. Then, gather the sections together and create a front page (with
- volatile substances such these kinds of situations. name) for the newsletter. Have each group showcase another group’s section.
as correcting fluids/thinners, This can highlight any questions or clarifications that are required.
gas lighter fuel or aerosols;
Finally, show and tell others about the newsletter by including it as part of an
assembly or open day/night.
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