Grade by Grade
D. Healthy Living · Healthy Living

Substances: Legal, Illegal and Making Healthy Choices

D1.3 D2.3 A1.5 A1.6About 45 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can explain that some substances are legal and some are illegal, and that legal substances can still be harmful.
  • I can describe how problematic use of substances can affect a person's body and mind, and the people around them.
  • I can use a decision-making strategy (Stop, Think, Choose, Check) to make healthy choices.
  • I can name factors to think about when making a choice, and say no in a strong, clear way.

Words to know

substance
Something that changes how your body or mind works when it goes into your body, like medicine, caffeine, alcohol or nicotine.
legal
Allowed by the law (sometimes only for adults or with rules).
illegal
Not allowed by the law.
problematic use
Using a substance in a way that causes harm to yourself or others.
addiction
When a person has a very hard time stopping something, even when it is hurting them.
nicotine
A substance in cigarettes and most vapes that is very addictive.
caffeine
A substance in coffee, tea, cola and energy drinks that can make your heart beat faster and make it hard to sleep.

What is a substance?

In Grade 2 you learned how to use medicine safely. Medicine is one kind of substance: something that changes how your body or mind works. Today you'll learn about more substances, which ones are legal and illegal, and how to make healthy choices.

SubstanceLegal?Possible effects of problematic use
Medicine (prescription and non-prescription)Legal when used the right way. Taking someone else's prescription medicine is not allowed and is not safe.Taking too much or the wrong medicine can make a person very sick.
Caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks, some chocolate)LegalFast heartbeat, feeling jittery or worried, trouble sleeping. Energy drinks are not recommended for children.
Tobacco and vaping (cigarettes, vapes)Legal to buy only for adults 19 and older in OntarioNicotine is very addictive. Smoke harms the lungs and heart, and second-hand smoke harms people nearby.
Alcohol (beer, wine, liquor)Legal to buy only for adults 19 and older in OntarioSlows the brain, affects balance and judgment. It is especially harmful to growing bodies and brains.
CannabisLegal to buy only for adults 19 and older in OntarioCan affect memory, attention and learning. It is especially harmful to growing brains.
Illegal drugsIllegal for everyoneCan cause serious harm. People can't know what is really in them.
Legal does not always mean safe, especially for children.
Legal(used the right way)medicinecaffeineLegal to buy only foradults 19+ in Ontarioalcoholtobacco and vapingcannabisIllegalfor everyoneillegal drugsLegal does NOT always mean safe, especially for children.
Substances sorted by the law in Ontario. Even legal ones can cause harm, and energy drinks are not recommended for children.

How problematic use affects people

When someone uses a substance in a way that harms them, it can affect:

  • Their body: lungs, heart, brain, sleep and energy.
  • Their mind: feelings, thinking, memory and making good choices.
  • Other people: family and friends may feel worried, sad or scared. Money may be spent on the substance instead of other things. Second-hand smoke can make others sick.

Sometimes a person has an addiction: they find it very hard to stop, even when it is hurting them. Addiction is a health problem, and people can get help. If someone in your family uses substances, it is not your fault, and you can talk to a trusted adult about how you feel.

Stop, Think, Choose, Check

A decision-making strategy for any choice:

  1. STOP: What is the decision I have to make?
  2. THINK: What are my choices? What could happen with each one? Think about these factors: Is it safe and healthy? Is it legal? Does it follow my family's rules and values? How will it affect others? How would I feel afterward?
  3. CHOOSE: Pick the healthiest, safest choice.
  4. CHECK: How did it go? Would I choose the same next time?
STOPWhat do I have to decide?THINKWhat are my choices?CHOOSEPick the healthiest, safestCHECKHow did it go?safe? healthy? legal?family rules? others? feelings?
Stop, Think, Choose, Check works for any decision. In THINK, look at the factors in the middle before you choose.
Worked example

Let's use Stop, Think, Choose, Check

At a sleepover, an older kid shows Mia a vape and says, "Try it. Everyone does it."

  1. STOP: The decision is whether to try the vape.
  2. THINK: Choices: try it, or say no. Vapes usually have nicotine, which is very addictive and harms growing bodies. Only adults 19 and older can buy it legally. My family wouldn't want me to. And not "everyone" does it!
  3. CHOOSE: Say no in a strong, clear voice: "No thanks. I'm not into that." Then change the activity or go find the adult in charge.
  4. CHECK: Mia feels proud. She tells her parent about it the next day.

Mia says no, leaves the situation, and tells a trusted adult.

Worked example

Let's choose a drink

Before a big game, a friend offers you an energy drink to "run faster". What do you choose?

  1. THINK: Energy drinks have lots of caffeine and sugar. They aren't recommended for children and can make your heart race.
  2. Healthier choice: water, a good night's sleep, and a healthy snack give you real energy.

Choose water. Real energy comes from sleep, food and water.

Hands-on activity

Saying no practice

You need: a grown-up.

Take turns acting out these situations. The person saying no stands tall, looks the person in the eye and uses a strong, clear voice.

  1. A friend offers you a sip of an adult's drink at a party.
  2. Someone at the park offers you pills that look like candy.
  3. An older cousin says, "Want to try my vape? Don't tell."

Ways to say no: "No thanks." "I don't want to." "My parents would not be okay with that." "Let's go play outside instead." Then leave and tell a trusted adult.

Last, make a list of healthy things you like that give you energy and make you feel good, like hockey, drawing, music or playing with your dog.

Your turn

1

What is a substance?

2

Name one legal substance that is still harmful.

3

In Ontario, how old must a person be to legally buy alcohol, tobacco or cannabis?

4

What is second-hand smoke?

5

What are the four steps of the decision-making strategy?

6

Name three factors to think about when making a choice.

7

You find a vape on the playground. What do you do?

More practice: warm-up

1

Is caffeine in cola, coffee and energy drinks?

2

Does legal always mean safe?

3

What substance in vapes and cigarettes is very addictive?

4

Is it okay to take someone else's prescription medicine?

5

Give one way to say no.

More practice: on your own

1

Why is alcohol especially harmful for children?

2

How can one person's problematic substance use affect their family?

3

What is addiction?

4

A friend says, "Everyone drinks energy drinks." Use one factor to explain why you won't.

5

Why should you never eat or take pills you find, even if they look like candy?

Challenge

1

Use Stop, Think, Choose, Check for this: A friend says, "Let's sneak some of your dad's beer."

2

Why might ads make substances like energy drinks look exciting? What could a smart viewer think instead?

3

Someone you love smokes. You're worried. What are healthy ways to handle that feeling?

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Which statement is true?

2.

Which substance is in coffee, cola and energy drinks?

3.

In Ontario, what is the legal age to buy alcohol, tobacco or cannabis?

4.

What is the first step in Stop, Think, Choose, Check?

5.

An older kid offers you a vape. What is the healthiest response?

6.

What is addiction?

7.

How can second-hand smoke affect others?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: This lesson covers two Grade 3 expectations: demonstrate an understanding of different types of legal and illegal substance use, and of both the mental and physical impacts of problematic use of these substances on themselves and others (D1.3), and apply decision-making strategies to make healthy choices about behaviours and the use of various substances, identifying factors that should be considered (D2.3). Wording is summarized from the 2019 Ontario curriculum.

About the content: The lesson stays general and age-appropriate. It names medicine, caffeine, tobacco and vaping, alcohol, cannabis and "illegal drugs" without detail about specific illegal drugs. It states the Ontario legal age (19) and that these substances are harmful for growing bodies.

How to help at home:

  • Share your family's values and rules about substances calmly and clearly.
  • Store medicines, alcohol, cannabis and vaping products locked and out of reach. Cannabis edibles can look like candy and are a poisoning risk for children. In an emergency, call 911 or the Ontario Poison Centre (1-800-268-9017).
  • Role-play saying no and leaving a situation. Agree on a "code word" your child can text or say to be picked up with no questions asked.
  • If someone in the family uses substances, reassure your child it is not their fault and that they can talk to you.

Common difficulties: thinking "legal" means "safe"; feeling worried about a family member. Keep answers short and honest.

This lesson also builds self-awareness and a sense of identity (A1.5) and critical and creative thinking (A1.6).