Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Grade 7 - 8
Overview
Promoting an alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD)-free lifestyle is as rewarding as it is challenging. Seventh and eighth grade is an opportune time for students to learn the benefits that can occur from responsible decision-making. For example, students can investigate the long-term healthcare costs of using ATOD and appreciate the cost savings of an ATOD-free lifestyle. Though it may seem like a time when peer, media, and social media influence, adventurous behaviors, and high-risk environments abound—positive influences and practices are also making a positive impact (Pew Research Center 2015, Wood 2007). Health education teachers play an important role in ATOD prevention education for students, but also as a significant role model. The complex issue of substance abuse prevention and substance use requires a comprehensive community approach, of which schools play a critical role in awareness and prevention efforts (CDC 2017a).
Information and Resources
TUPE - Tobacco Use Prevention Education
In collaboration with the California Department of Education, the Orange County Department of Education's TUPE Capacity Building Project has developed this website to support effective TUPE program implementation and share tobacco prevention information and resources across California.
Stanford University - Research Into the Impact of Tobacco Advertising
Collection of tobacco advertising is intended to support scholarly research as well as to inform regulators and legislators about the promotional activities of the tobacco industry.
Truth Initiative
Provides the facts about smoking, vaping, nicotine and the tobacco industry, engage individuals and groups to make change in their communities, innovate ways to end nicotine addiction and join forces with collaborators committed to a future where tobacco and nicotine addiction are a thing of the past.
Tips for Teens: The Truth About E-Cigarettes - Tips for Teens: The Truth About E-Cigarettes
This fact sheet for teens provides facts about vaping. It describes short- and long-term effects and lists signs of vaping. The fact sheet helps to dispel common myths about vaping.
Tobacco Education Clearinghouse of California (TECC)
TECC is a statewide technical assistance provider that supports the development and distribution of effective educational materials for California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Control Program (CDPH/CTCP)-funded projects at no cost.
Operation Prevention - Discover • Connect • Prevent
The DEA has joined forces with Discovery Education to provide no-cost online tools that support every member of the community with the power of prevention. Standards-aligned English & Spanish-language resources for students in grades 3-12, plus additional resources designed for educators, families, and professionals.
Let’s Talk Cannabis - California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Let’s Talk Cannabis provides information, resources, and videos to help increase awareness about cannabis and how it affects our bodies, minds, and health.
Tobacco Education Resource Library
Find content focused on public health education, smoking cessation, tobacco research, retailer information, tobacco regulations, and compliance — all in one place.
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW), an annual health observance week, connects teens with resources about drugs and alcohol.
SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week in May
National Prevention Week (NPW) is a public education platform that promotes prevention year-round through providing ideas, capacity building, tools, and resources to help individuals and communities make substance use prevention happen every day.
Above the Influence
Above the Influence provides information, resources and support for teens to analyze their influences and find facts and resources about drugs.
Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth - Johns Hopkins
The Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) employs a public health approach to prevent and reduce alcohol-related problems among young people.
California Friday Night Live
Friday Night Live builds partnerships for positive and healthy youth development which engage youth as active leaders and resources in their communities.
Curriculum and Lessons
You and Me, Together Vape-Free - Stanford REACH Lab
The You and Me, Together Vape-Free curriculum includes a middle school program that are 5 lessons, approximately 50 minutes each. Every lesson provides activities, online quiz games, and worksheets in addition to presentations, resources, and other materials.
Smart Talk: Cannabis Prevention & Awareness Curriculum - Stanford REACH Lab
Smart Talk: Cannabis Prevention & Awareness Curriculum includes 5 lessons, each providing activities, online quiz games, and worksheets in addition to presentations, resources, and other materials aimed at addressing key factors associated with youth cannabis use.
Project ALERT
The Project ALERT curriculum is a series of 14 lessons thatmotivate students against drug use, cultivates non-use attitudes and beliefs, and teaches skills and strategies to resist drugs.
CATCH My Breath
CATCH My Breath is an evidence-based youth e-cigarette, JUUL, and vape prevention program specific to grades 5-12 shown to substantially reduce students’ likelihood of vaping in the year following program implementation.
The Real Cost of Vaping
The Real Cost of Vaping provides grades 6-12 lessons on teen vaping prevention. With these cross-curricular resources from Scholastic and the FDA, students will analyze informational text, collect and present data, and evaluate marketing messages.
My Generation Rx Teen Education - Generation Rx
“My Generation Rx” includes resources designed to educate teens about the importance of using medications safely, as well as teaching teens key skills to turn down invitations to misuse and positive alternatives to cope with the demands of life. Available in Spanish.
Mind Matters Series - National Institute on Drug Abuse
Mind Matters invites young teens to take a scientific journey to learn about the brain’s complex responses to specific drugs. Both English and Spanish booklets, as well as the accompanying Teacher’s Guide, are all available online in printable PDFs.
Kids Health: Health Problems Series - Alcohol Lesson
These activities will help your students understand the dangers of drinking alcohol. Grades 6-8.
Kids Health: Health Problems Series - Drugs Lesson
These activities will help your students learn what drugs do to the body and mind, and enable them to counter peer pressure to take drugs. Grades 6-8.
Kids Health: Health Problems Series - Smoking Lesson
The following activities will help your students understand why people begin smoking, what smoking does to the body, and how they can protect themselves from the effects of tobacco. Grades 6-8.
Taking Down Tobacco - Young Minds Inspired
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids has created Taking Down Tobacco, an interactive youth training program designed to motivate your students to become part of the first tobacco-free generation.
Song For Charlie: Real Talk About Fake Pills
This is a collection of learning tools and curriculum guides created by teachers, for teachers on opioid and fentanyl education and prevention.
Book List
Grade 7 - 8
Partnerships
Partnering with the Family
- Students can share health education information on ATOD obtained in class with their parents, guardians, and caretakers.
- Students can begin to dialogue with their parents, guardians, and caretakers on their views on ATOD and their rules or expectations for their child regarding ATOD.
- Students can discuss with parents, guardians, and caretakers cultural traditions that involve ATOD and at what age it is considered culturally appropriate for young people to participate in these traditions
Partnering with your School
- As part of your campus ATOD health campaign, ask the teacher librarian to acquire and showcase in the school library books that address ATOD among youth.
- Encourage students to convene a discussion group or book club focused on health-related issues
Partnering with your Community
- Encourage students to become familiar with local efforts to enforce tobacco and drinking laws regarding minors.
- Students can learn what local agencies, such as the county public health office and community-based organizations, do to serve those with ATOD issues in the community