National Institute on Drug Abuse Lessons and Activities
Program Description
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers a comprehensive collection of 21 free lesson plans and activities for parents and educators aimed at increasing awareness and preventing substance use among youth. These evidence-informed resources span topics such as the science of addiction, the impact of drugs on the brain and body, mental health, and strategies for fostering healthy decision-making. These materials are designed for various age groups and include interactive activities, videos, and classroom lessons aligned with national education standards. Accessible online, this resource equips educators and caregivers with scientifically accurate, engaging tools to promote drug prevention and education in schools and at home.
Prevention Category
Practice Level
Strategies
Practice Components
Risk and Protective Factors
Population Age
Populations of Focus
Settings
Parental/Caregiver Involvement
Substance Use Prevention Focus
Recommended Staffing
Empirical Evidence of Impact
| Substance | Substance-Related Behavior | Population Age | Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus |
| Substance Use (General) | Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs | K-12 | Practice-Based Evidence (General Population)1 |
| Substance Use (General) | Reduced Use or Delayed Initiation | K-12 | Practice-Based Evidence (General Population)1 |
| References
1 National Institute on Drug Abuse. (n.d.). Lesson plans and activities. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved From https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/parents-educators/lesson-plans-and-activities |
|||
Training and Technical Assistance
These resources are freely available, and the NIDA website features companion conversation starters and lesson plans for curricula. However, no training or technical assistance is available for these materials at this time.
Adaptations
Lessons were developed by scientists from leading universities and NIDA, but can be adapted as needed. Spanish language versions of many materials are available on the website.
Program Costs
Required training and implementation materials are available at no cost.
What California Providers Are Saying
We have not yet spoken to any California providers who have experience implementing these NIDA lessons and activities. If you have implemented them, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.
Labels
Universal,
Individual,
Information dissemination,
Education,
Cognitive Behavioral Strategies,
Education,
Insight-Building,
Problem Solving,
Psychoeducation,
Skills Training,
Peer Norm Development,
Early initiation of substance use,
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse,
Internalizing behaviors (e.g. anxiety, depression, social withdrawal),
Poor coping skills and behaviors,
Ability to adapt to change and the belief in one’s ability to control what happens,
Emotional self-regulation,
Positive social orientation (e.g. engaging in health activities, accepting of rules and community values, positive social engagement),
Strong coping skills (e.g. problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values),
Family conflict,
Lack of adult supervision,
Poor attachment with caregivers,
Attachment between caregivers and youth, including unity, warmth, and attachment,
Communication and contact between caregivers and youth,
Clear expectations for behaviors and values,
Family environment with structure, rules, predictability, and family supervision,
Accessibility of substances,
Norms favorable towards substance use,
Substance use among peers,
Community norms, beliefs, and standards against substance use,
Opportunities for prosocial engagement in the school and community,
Presence of mentors and healthy adults for positive emotional support,
Positive social norms,
Age 6-12, Ages 6-12,
Age 13-17, Ages 13-17,
Age 18-20, Ages 18-20,
General Population, Hispanic,
Recommended/optional,
Alcohol,
Cannabis,
Cocaine,
Fentanyl,
Heroin,
Inhalants,
Methamphetamine,
Prescription Drugs,
Synthetic Drugs,
Tobacco,
Home,
School (K-12), k-12,
College or University,
Community-based program, community based program, community/based program,
Community Members,
Prevention Staff,
Teachers/Educators, teachers educators,