51ºÚÁÏ

Lesson Title: What Are Drugs? – Understanding Medicinal vs Recreational Use (PSHE / Health / RSE)
This engaging KS3/KS4 PSHE lesson introduces students to the definition of drugs, the difference between medicinal and recreational use, and the short- and long-term effects of drug misuse. With interactive sorting tasks, quizzes, classification tables, and real-life legal facts, students begin building the knowledge and judgement to stay safe and informed.

Lesson Aims:

Define what a drug is and understand how drugs alter the body’s chemical processes

Distinguish between medicinal drugs (e.g. antibiotics) and recreational drugs (e.g. cocaine, cannabis)

Identify the risks of recreational drugs, including legal and health consequences

Understand drug categories: stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens

Explore the concept of addiction and recognise withdrawal symptoms

Learn about drug classifications (Class A, B, C) and their legal penalties in the UK

Debunk myths and unscramble common illegal drugs using visual and retrieval activities

Reflect on why people take drugs and how to make safer personal choices

Perfect for PSHE, Health Education, or Science cross-curricular links. Supports 51ºÚÁÏ, RSE, and drug education statutory requirements.