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Choice (for years 5–6)

Choice aims to strengthen young people’s ability to make positive life choices, with special emphasis on drug use.

What students will learn

These year 5–6 resources will help students to:

  • identify positive things about themselves
  • gain knowledge of what constitutes a drug and the consequences of drug use
  • learn to make responsible decisions for themselves related to drug use
  • develop a range of strategies to manage situations in which they may be pressured to use drugs
  • identify how to have fun without the use of drugs.

Five focus areas

The learning activities are arranged in five focus areas.

Focus area 1: What do I know about drugs?

The intention of this focus area is to gather data about drug experiences and needs of students to help the teacher plan a programme to meet the needs of the class.

Focus area 2: Positively me 

Students identify what make them special people and that they don’t have to be like other people. Students explore people to help and support them in life, particularly with problems. [Updated 2017]

Focus area 3: Drugs in my life

Students define ‘drug’ and identify common drugs used in their community.

Focus area 4: Healthy, confident us 

Students explore the difference between safe use (use) and unsafe use (misuse or abuse) of drugs and the consequences of drug misuse.

Focus area 5: My life – my choice

Students develop assertiveness skills to manage difficult situations including being pressured to take drugs. Students apply a decision making process to make sensible and safe decisions. [Updated 2017]

Activity book