OADV Personal Development Curriculum:

Character Education – Year 8

Summer 2 Booklet

Self-care

Your name: _______________________________

Your teacher: _____________________________

 Self-care
Competence: Students will be empowered with knowledge of the
law and punishments associated with alcohol and drug misuse.
They will also learn about energy drinks and caffeine. They will
also have knowledge of how this impacts on the body and how it
impacts on mental health.

Character: Students will start to begin to understand why people

may choose to use energy drinks, drink alcohol or take drugs and
how this impacts on their characters

Community: Students will be able to effectively able to consider

how alcohol and drugs have an impact on their communities, how
energy drinks and caffeine can have an impact on young people
and what they can do to ensure that they not having a negative
impact

Lesson  Focus

1  Drugs and the law

2 The effects of drugs on the

body
3 Energy drinks and caffeine

4 Alcohol and the law

5 What is a healthy
relationship with alcohol?
6 How can drugs and alcohol
impact mental health?
 Lesson 1 –
Drugs and the law
Do Now:
A goal is …

A goal should be SMART which means …

A stereotype is …

Expectations are …

How should you manage family expectations?

Our ground rules

1. Everyone has the right to be heard and respected.
2. Comment on what was said, not who said it.
3. We won’t share personal experiences.
4. We won’t put anyone on the spot and we have the right to pass.
5. We won’t judge or make assumptions about anyone.
6. We understand that we might explore themes and ideas that differ
from our own and that is okay.
7. We understand that these lessons explore real and complex issues and
that we will cover the fact and laws of the UK.

Today, we are going to discuss drugs, why people take them and the laws surrounding
drugs.
This is important because many of the things that we think are completely normal and
harmless are in fact drugs. 
This will enable us to understand what the consequences of taking drugs are.
We will also think about how we can make good decisions and choices ourselves so that
we are able to live flourishing lives and be the best version of ourselves.

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 Lesson 1 –
Drugs and the law

What do you already know?

What do we
know about
drugs?

Write a sentence definition for drugs:

Yours –

The actual definition –

You may be charged with possessing an illegal substance if you’re caught with drugs, whether or not they’re
yours. If you are under eighteen, the police are allowed to tell your parent, guardian or carer that you’ve been
caught with drugs.
Your penalty will depend on:
• The class and quantity of drug
• Where you and the drugs were found
• Your personal history (previous crimes, including previous drug offences)
• Other aggravating or mitigating factors
 Lesson 1 –
Drugs and the law
Drugs; legal and illegal
Drugs are anything that is an addictive substance and makes it difficult for us to live without. As a society we have
categorised these into legal and illegal drugs; those that are acceptable within society because they are seen to do less
harm and those that are unacceptable because the risk of harm is very great.
Legal drugs
We have many addictive substances that are legal to buy and to use. Nicotine that we find in cigarettes is a legal
substance and we have discussed previously. Similarly, alcohol, is a legal but addictive substance as we saw in our last
lesson. Sugar is also a legal, addictive substance that is in many of our foods stuff. All of these substances are deemed
to be less harmful or at least, their effects have not been as well understood as they are today.
As we have already seen from our lessons on smoking and alcohol, this does not mean that they can’t cause serious
short- and long-term harm to people both physically and mentally but they are permitted within our society. However,
you should fully consider the consequences of using such substances and the effects it may have on yourself and
others.
Similarly, there are many drugs that are prescribed by our doctors for pain or for our wellbeing. However, these
substances are also very addictive and your doctor will monitor carefully your usage of such pain medication to ensure
you do not become addicted.
‘Legal Highs’
‘Legal highs’ is a commonly used, but inaccurate term, to describe a range of synthetic (artificially created) drugs that
began to be used around 2008-2009. The term that should be used is a New Psychoactive Substances. They are
designed to replicate the effects of illegal substances such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy whilst remaining legal,
hence their previous name ‘legal highs.’
The effects of NPS vary significantly from drug to drug and there is relatively little information on them as they are
very new. There is a growing body of evidence to demonstrate the potential short and long-term harms associated with
their use. Some key harms were psychotic states which led to unpredictable behaviour, sudden increases in body
temperature, heart rates, hallucinations and vomiting, intense confusion leading to aggression and violence. There were
longer term health issues linked to poor mental health including psychosis, paranoia, anxiety, depression, and suicidal
tendencies.
While many of these types of drugs were once legal, the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 made it illegal to produce,
supply or import these drugs for human consumption.
Illegal Drugs
Illegal drugs in the UK are classed into three bands which carry different penalties. Outlined below are the
consequences. This is not a list of every drug.

Classification Drug Possession Supply and Production

Class A Cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, LSD, Up to seven years in prison, an Up to life in prison, an unlimited
methadone unlimited fine or both fine or both
Class B Amphetamines, cannabis, Up to five years in prison, an Up to fourteen years in prison, an
codeine, ketamine, synthetic unlimited fine or both unlimited fine or both
cannabinoids (NPS)
Class C Anabolic steroids Up to two years in prison, an Up to fourteen years in prison, an
unlimited fine or both unlimited fine or both
 Lesson 2 –
The effects of drugs

Do Now:
A stereotype is …

Expectations are …

How should you manage family expectations?

Drugs are …

A New Psychoactive drug is …

Our ground rules

1. Everyone has the right to be heard and respected.
2. Comment on what was said, not who said it.
3. We won’t share personal experiences.
4. We won’t put anyone on the spot and we have the right to pass.
5. We won’t judge or make assumptions about anyone.
6. We understand that we might explore themes and ideas that differ
from our own and that is okay.
7. We understand that these lessons explore real and complex issues and
that we will cover the fact and laws of the UK.

Today, we are going to discuss how drugs have an affect on the

body.
This is important because drugs can have a profound affect on
our physical health.
This will enable us to know what effect they have and why this is
problematic 

6
 Lesson 2 –
The effects of drugs
Watch the video and answer the questions below.​

1. When is someone said to be abusing drugs?

2. What is a drug addict?

3. What do depressants do?

4. What are examples of depressants?

5. What do hallucinogens do?

6. What are examples of hallucinogens?

7. What are stimulants?

8. What are examples of stimulants?

9. What does dopamine do and how can this affect someone if it’s out of balance?
 Lesson 2 –
The effects of drugs
The effect of drugs on the body
Every time you drink a beer, you smoke a joint, you pop a pill, you take a hit – you make a choice. You
make an active choice to put substances in your body because, in the heat of the moment, it seems like the
right thing to do. It will make you feel better, it will get you high, it will be fun. This is what you tell
yourself. But did you know that it is also putting your health (and your life) in danger?
We know you’ve heard it before. Your parents told you that drugs are bad. Your friends told you to stop
drinking so much. Maybe a doctor has even said that your drug use has taken a toll. Not to mention, you
know hangovers and come-downs quite well. Unfortunately, drug addiction is a persistent thing. It is your
brain relentlessly telling you that it’s okay to take drugs, despite the physical consequences and the terrible
aching your body experiences soon after. And it makes you wonder, what do drugs do to your body,
exactly? Why do you feel this way, and why can’t you stop? What are the risks if you keep using?

How do drugs affect the body?

Drugs change the way your body works. Even seemingly “quiet” drugs like marijuana and prescription
Adderall can have a detrimental effect. The truth is, any addictive drug, in any dosage, used for a prolonged
period of time, can cause major damage to your physical health.
When you abuse drugs, you run the risk of respiratory depression, heart attack, coma, overdose, stroke,
hypothermia, dehydration, blood disorders, gastric problems, panic attacks, and cognitive deficits. The list
goes on. Drug use can make you look and feel weak, malnourished, and can destroy your immune system
over time. Studies show that individuals who do not seek treatment for their drug problems only have a life
expectancy of 15 to 20 years after the onset of their drug addiction. This means that if you started using
drugs at 18-years-old, and have continued to do so without professional drug treatment, your life
expectancy will not exceed age 40.

What do drugs do to your body upon initiation?

When you take a drug, it enters your bloodstream and travels to the brain, producing a “high” or “rush” of
pleasure, as well as to other areas of the body. The clinical team at Turnbridge young adult drug treatment
knows the physical effects of substance abuse well. Here is what we know drugs will do to the various
parts of your body:
Your Brain – The way our brains are wired is that, if you do something pleasurable, your brain will tell
you to do it again. And again. This is true for activities like eating and also for drug use. All addictive drugs
activate the brain’s pleasure circuit. If you use a drug regularly, your brain will get used to it. The drug will
actually re-wire the chemicals in your brain, changing how they work and respond to pleasure. Your brain
may start requiring a higher dosage of drugs to feel the euphoric effects. If you’ve developed a tolerance, it
may require more drugs just to feel normal. And when you stop taking the drugs, you may experience
significant, often painful, withdrawal symptoms in other parts of your body. This leads to compulsive
addiction.  
 Long-term drug use affects brain functioning, causing memory loss, difficulty learning, impaired
judgement, and other cognitive deficits. Certain drugs have more severe brain effects: For example,
alcohol puts users at risk for dementia. Inhalants damage brain cells faster than other substances.
Marijuana causes short-term memory problems and a decreased IQ over time.

 Your Lungs – When you think lung damage, you may think immediately of smoking. It is true that
marijuana smoking (in addition to cigarettes) can cause respiratory diseases and lung infection. But did
you know many illicit drugs, including prescription painkillers, can put you at serious risk for respiratory
depression? Opiate drugs such as heroin and OxyContin can limit the amount of oxygen entering the
brain and can cause a coma or permanent brain damage. In fact, most opiate overdoses are caused by
respiratory depression (suppression of breathing).

 Your Liver – Drugs are toxic. If you take a drug like heroin, or even binge drink alcohol, your liver has
to work extra hard to break it down. This can lead to decreased liver function and long-term liver
damage.

 Your Kidneys – Some drugs interfere with our bodies’ ability to regulate temperature. Use of MDMA
drugs, for example, can cause body temperature to spike (Hypothermia) and can lead to severe
dehydration, muscle breakdown, and long-term kidney damage or failure.

 Your Heart – Most drugs can damage your cardiovascular system in some way, whether that means heart
attack or abnormal heart rates. Cocaine, for example, is known to cause strokes, heart attacks, and cardiac
arrest in users, which can all lead to sudden death. Injecting drugs can also lead to collapsed veins and
bacterial infections in the bloodstream and heart valves.

 Your Gut – Short-term nausea and vomiting are typical after a night of drinking or a stint of drug use.
Cocaine, for example, can cause bowel tissue decay. Opioid use can cause acid reflux and gastric ulcers.
Many illicit drugs can cause a loss of appetite, leading to malnourishment and sudden weight loss.

 Your Muscles & Bones – Steroids use during your teen years can stop bone growth earlier than normal,
leading to a short stature. Other drugs can cause severe muscle cramping, weakness, and muscle
breakdown.

 Your Overall Appearance – Drug use can lead to problems with your skin, for example, such as acne
and dullness (or grey-looking). This is because your skin is not receiving the proper nutrients and
vitamins. Drugs also diminish your energy, making you look and feel weak and tired. Some drugs, such
as meth, can lead to rotten teeth, gum disease, and bad breath, while others can lead to yellowed and
sunken looking eyes.
 Lesson 3 –
Energy drinks and caffeine

Do Now:
List three types of revision strategies

Why is a quiet environment important for studying and working effectively?

Soft skills are …

For example, ……

Hard skills are ……

Our ground rules

1. Everyone has the right to be heard and respected.
2. Comment on what was said, not who said it.
3. We won’t share personal experiences.
4. We won’t put anyone on the spot and we have the right to pass.
5. We won’t judge or make assumptions about anyone.
6. We understand that we might explore themes and ideas that differ
from our own and that is okay.
7. We understand that these lessons explore real and complex issues and
that we will cover the fact and laws of the UK.

Today, we are going to discuss energy drinks and why people use
them.
This is important because energy drinks contain caffeine which
can be harmful.
This will enable us to understand the risks involved when drinking
energy drinks

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 Lesson 3 –
Energy drinks and caffeine

Watch the video and answer the questions

1. How do we define ‘energy drinks’?

2. Give an example of an energy drink.
3. Which two sources of caffeine are mentioned?
4. Which is the stronger of the two?
5. What does it do?
6. Where does sugar come from?
7. What happens when the caffeine wears off?
8. How do people counteract the effect?

Why do people
drink energy drinks
and caffeine?
 Lesson 4 –
Alcohol and the Law

Do Now:
Depressants are …………… and they can make you ………

What is an energy drink?

What do energy drinks do?

What happens when the caffeine wears off?

How do people counteract the effect?

Our ground rules

1. Everyone has the right to be heard and respected.
2. Comment on what was said, not who said it.
3. We won’t share personal experiences.
4. We won’t put anyone on the spot and we have the right to pass.
5. We won’t judge or make assumptions about anyone.
6. We understand that we might explore themes and ideas that differ
from our own and that is okay.
7. We understand that these lessons explore real and complex issues and
that we will cover the fact and laws of the UK.

Today, we are going to discuss alcohol and the law.

This is important because there are laws about alcohol usage.

This will enable us to know what the law is and how to manage
ensure that we stay within the law.

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 Lesson 4 –
Alcohol and the Law

We will read the information about alcohol and the law:

1. When can you be stopped, fined or arrested for drinking?

2. If you’re under 18 what is it illegal to do?

3. If you’re 16 or 17 what are you allowed to do?

4. Can you go to any pub at any age?

5. When is it illegal to give alcohol to children?

Alcohol and the Law

You can be stopped, fined or arrested by police if you’re under 18 and drinking alcohol in public.
If you’re under 18, it’s against the law:
• for someone to sell you alcohol
• to buy or try to buy alcohol
• for an adult to buy or try to buy alcohol for you
• to drink alcohol in licensed premises (such as a pub or restaurant)
However, if you’re 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a
meal.
If you’re 16 or under, you may be able to go to a pub (or premises primarily used to sell alcohol) if you’re
accompanied by an adult. However, this isn’t always the case. It can also depend on the specific conditions for
that premises.
It’s illegal to give alcohol to children under 5.
Working in a restaurant or bar under 18
You can serve alcohol in a restaurant if you’re 16 or 17 as long as the licence holder or bar manager has
approved the sale.
 Lesson 5 –
Having a healthy relationship with alcohol

Do Now:

What do energy drinks do?

What happens when the caffeine wears off?

How do people counteract the effect?

When can you be stopped, fined or arrested for drinking?

If you’re under 18 what is it illegal to do?

Our ground rules

1. Everyone has the right to be heard and respected.
2. Comment on what was said, not who said it.
3. We won’t share personal experiences.
4. We won’t put anyone on the spot and we have the right to pass.
5. We won’t judge or make assumptions about anyone.
6. We understand that we might explore themes and ideas that differ
from our own and that is okay.
7. We understand that these lessons explore real and complex issues and
that we will cover the fact and laws of the UK.

Today, we are going to discuss responsible drinking.

This is important because our relationship with alcohol can change quickly
and can become dependent.

This will enable us to know what responsible drinking looks like and any
issues associated with dependency.

14
 Lesson 5 –
Having a healthy relationship with alcohol

Watch the clip and then respond to the questions:

1. How many millilitres is one unit of alcohol?

2. Why are units a good way to know how much you are drinking?

3. How many units does the average pint of beer or larger have?

4. How long does it take to process one unit of alcohol?

5. What other factors might the processing of alcohol depend on?

6. How many units of alcohol should you not exceed per week and what should you be
doing during a week?
​
 Lesson 6 –
What is the impact on mental health?

Do Now:

Stimulants are ……… and they can make you ………

Energy drinks contain …….

A unit of alcohol is ……..… ml of pure alcohol

Alcohol misuse is …

Drinking responsibly means to …

Our ground rules

1. Everyone has the right to be heard and respected.
2. Comment on what was said, not who said it.
3. We won’t share personal experiences.
4. We won’t put anyone on the spot and we have the right to pass.
5. We won’t judge or make assumptions about anyone.
6. We understand that we might explore themes and ideas that differ
from our own and that is okay.
7. We understand that these lessons explore real and complex issues and
that we will cover the fact and laws of the UK.

Today, we are going to discuss the impact of drugs and alcohol on mental
health.
This is important because our relationship with alcohol and drugs can have
profound effects on our mental health.
This will enable us to know what types of problems can be caused and
what we should do if we experience them.

16
 Lesson 6 –
What is the impact on mental health?

Watch the clip and then respond to the questions:

1. What is alcohol?

2. What may happen if you continue drinking?

3. What can affect your mood with alcohol?

4. How might someone feel?

5. What are the long-term effects of alcohol?

6. What will your brain become trained to do and why does that affect coping strategies?
​
 Lesson 6 –
What is the impact on mental health?

How do drugs have a negative impact on our mental health?

Type of drug Effect on mental health

Cannabis

New
Psychoactive
Substances

Amphetamines

Cocaine

Ecstasy

Heroin

LSD