Informed Drug & Alcohol Choices wellbeing lesson plan
A secondary wellbeing lesson for Years 8 to 10 that helps Australian teachers introduce informed drug and alcohol choices through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students explore how substance use and vaping can affect health, decision-making and relationships, and practise skills for making safer choices and seeking support when needed. The lesson gives teachers a calm, structured way to introduce a sensitive topic without relying on scare tactics, helping students build knowledge and confidence around real-life decisions.
Substances & Risky Behaviours
Snapshot
Informed Drug & Alcohol Choices
The lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce informed drug and alcohol choices without relying on fear based messaging. Feedback: 4.3/5 from 122 teacher ratings
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Building knowledge and decision-making skills around drug and alcohol use, including vaping
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise common health and legal considerations linked to drug, alcohol and vaping use
recognise situations involving peer pressure or social influence around substance use
recognise when a decision about substances may need support from a trusted adult
Understand
understand that decisions about drugs and alcohol involve weighing up risks and personal values
understand how misinformation or myths can affect the choices people make
Practise
practise strategies for managing peer pressure in social situations
practise language for making or explaining a decision to avoid or delay substance use
practise identifying reliable sources of information and support
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for secondary students in Years 8 to 10 who are building awareness of drug and alcohol choices, including vaping, and are ready for open, non judgemental discussion.
It is suitable for:
secondary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or advisory sessions
drug and alcohol education programs
respectful, fact based discussion of peer pressure and decision making
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing substance use education Use when students need a structured, non judgemental introduction to drug and alcohol choices.
Addressing vaping awareness Use when students need factual information about vaping alongside broader substance use discussion.
Reinforcing decision making skills Use when students are learning to weigh up risks and make considered choices in social situations.
Building peer pressure strategies Use when students need practical language for managing pressure from friends or social groups.
Preparing for transition or new social settings Use when students are moving into settings where substance use decisions may arise.
Creating a structured wellbeing discussion Use when you want a calm, fact based discussion about health, choices and support pathways.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Students are increasingly likely to encounter situations involving drugs, alcohol or vaping as they move through secondary school, whether directly or through friends. Having accurate information and practical decision making skills helps them respond with confidence rather than uncertainty. This lesson is not about warning students away from substances through fear. It focuses on building knowledge, critical thinking and safer decision making, so students can navigate social pressure and make informed choices that suit their own circumstances. Teaching this proactively, before it becomes a live issue for a student or cohort, helps normalise open conversation and reinforces that support is available whenever it is needed.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Health literacy Students build accurate knowledge about the health and legal aspects of drug, alcohol and vaping use.
Critical thinking Students learn to question myths and assumptions about substance use.
Decision making Students practise weighing up risks before making choices in social situations.
Peer pressure management Students rehearse language for managing pressure from friends or social groups.
Help seeking Students identify where to find reliable information or support.
Self awareness Students reflect on personal values and how these shape their choices.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates or share personal stories about substance use
Frame the discussion around general scenarios and information, not personal disclosures
Make clear that the lesson is about building knowledge and safer decision making, not judging choices
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
During delivery
Use factual, non alarmist language when discussing health and legal considerations
Avoid scare tactics or abstinence only messaging
Give students time to discuss and question common myths about drugs, alcohol and vaping
Reinforce that students are not expected to manage difficult situations alone
Supporting safe discussion
Use general examples or scenarios rather than personal experiences
Remind students that privacy matters, and no one should be named or singled out
Identify trusted adults or support services students can approach after the lesson
Adaptation options
Use small group discussion for confident classes
Use structured worksheets or written reflection for quieter groups
Spend more time on peer pressure strategies if students need extra support with decision making
