Table 1 Lesson content of the Climate Schools: Psychostimulant and Cannabis Module

1

Cannabis: What is it?

Short-term effects of cannabis

Reasons people use cannabis

Cannabis and the law

Risk and protective factors for drug use

Conservative norms: prevalence of cannabis use

Mental health and cannabis

2

Critical analysis of drug-related internet and media resources

Classifying drugs: hallucinogens, stimulants and depressants

Psychostimulants: What are they?

Common names and properties of psychostimulant drugs

Short-term effects of psychostimulants

Conservative norms: Prevalence of psychostimulant use

The multifaceted nature of the effects of drug use on people’s lives

3

Definitions, examples and effects of poly-drug use

Classifying drugs

The indirect negative consequences of drug use

Problem solving and decision making skills in relation to drugs

Identifying drug related risk and minimising drug related harms

4

Communication skills

Avenues for seeking help and barriers to accessing services

What to do in a drug related emergency

Calling 000, the emergency number

Identifying communication styles, including assertiveness

5

Long-term effects of drugs

Drug withdrawal

Harm-minimisation strategies

Learning about resilience

Attitudes to drug use

Prevalence of psychostimulants and cannabis use

CPR and first aid

6

Drugs and driving

Drugs and the law

Problem solving skills

Legalisation, decriminalisation and criminalization of drugs – the debate

The effects of drugs on life’s journey

The effects of drugs on others