Life Skills Education Toolkit

4 • MUDULE NINE: SUBSTANCE USE

Directions:

ACTIVITY ONE

Your Choice of Drugs

1. Ask the children what drugs they have heard of or know that their friends are using. This might
   include charas, ganja, medicines (over the counter), and typewriter eraser fluid. If alcohol, cigarettes,
   “bidis” (rolled cigarettes) or gutka (chewing tobacco) are not mentioned, add them.


2. Divide the children into two or three groups. Ask each group which drugs they feel are “good”
   and which are “bad.” After each group makes its presentation, help the children look at and
   understand the differences. Explain how differences reflect values, what friends think, culture,
   religion and influences of the media.


3. Classify the substances:

Socially Accepted Substances Over the Counter drugs Prescription Drugs

Alcohol Paracetamol Barbiturates

Tobacco Aspirin Tranquilizers

Gutka Cough syrup Analgesics

Country liquor Codeine, Loperamide Spasmoproxyvon

Illegal drugs

Ganja Inhalants

Crack Benzene

Cocaine Petrol

Charas Glue

LSD Kerosene

Heroin

Explain the different types of substances. Over the counter or prescription drugs are used in

excess, not for a cure of an illness but to attain a “high.” Some substances are illegal such as

cocaine, charas, etc. The socially acceptable substances are not illegal and can be bought and

sold. However, sellers are not supposed to sell cigarettes or alcohol to children below eighteen

years. Gutka which is a tobacco extract has been promoted as a mouth freshener but has

addictive substances and unwittingly, many young people have suffered from serious mouth and

throat disorders, including cancers. Other tobacco-related substances include bidis, hookahs, and

betel leaf with different stuffings such as misri, pan-masala, mawa and others.