State of New Jersey Department of Education
NJ Home | Services A to Z | Departments/Agencies | FAQs
Search:
NJPEP Home > Standards > Comprehensive Health and Physical Education (Revised)

STANDARD 2.3 (DRUGS AND MEDICINES) by Grade 8

Strands with Cumulative Progress Indicators

A. Medicines

  1. Compare and contrast commonly used over-the-counter medicines.
  2. Classify commonly administered medicines and describe the potential side effects of each classification.
  3. Recommend safe practices for the use of prescription medicines.
  4. Compare and contrast the benefits and dangers of naturally occurring substances, such as herbs, organics, and supplements.

B. Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs

  1. Investigate the relationship between tobacco use and respiratory diseases, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and injuries.
  2. Investigate the health risks posed to nonsmokers by second hand/passive smoking.
  3. Investigate how the use and abuse of alcohol contributes to illnesses such as cancer, liver disease, heart disease, and injuries.
  4. Analyze how the use and abuse of alcohol impacts thinking, reaction time, and behavior.
  5. Describe sudden sniffing syndrome and the resultant brain, nerve, and vital organ damage that can result from the use of inhaled substances.
  6. Compare and contrast the physical and behavioral effects of each classification of drugs.
  7. Analyze health risks associated with injecting drug use.
  8. Investigate the legal and financial consequences of the use, sale, and possession of illegal substances.
  9. Discuss how the use of alcohol and other drugs influences decision-making and places one at risk for sexual assault, pregnancy, and STDs.

C. Dependency/Addiction and Treatment

  1. Analyze the physical, social, and emotional indicators and stages of dependency.
  2. Discuss ways to quit using substances and discuss factors that support the ability to quit.
  3. Analyze factors that influence the use and abuse alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
  4. Describe how substance abuse affects the individual, the family, and the community.