Understanding Psychology

Chapter 4: Adolescence

Web Activity Lesson Plans

"My Friend Has a Drug Problem"

Introduction
Students have read about the problems associated with adolescence and how some adolescents turn to drugs and alcohol. In this exercise, students will review a few different Web sites containing information on how to help a friend who has an alcohol or other drug problem.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from these Web sites to learn about ways in which they can help a friend who has a drinking or drug problem. Students will learn how to tell if someone has a substance abuse problem, what substance abuse can lead to, and how they can talk a friend into getting help. Students will then apply this information by writing a short skit about a character trying to talk to a friend about a substance abuse problem.

1. Students will be able to describe the symptoms of substance abuse, the problems that it can lead to, and the help available for the abuser.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to write a short skit about two characters confronting a substance abuse problem.