LIFE ORIENTATION: PLANNING & PREPARATION

TERM & Time

GRADE 4 5 6 7 8 X 9 1 2 3 4 5 X 1h
SEE WCED TAP allocation
TERM 3 WEEK 5
Resources/ LTSM
Role Players Aim/ Purpose/ Topic/ (WHAT am I going to use to teach/
(WHO is going Content/ Concepts/ guide/ support…)
Teaching Methodologies & Classroom Management Skills
to teach/ Skills (HOW am I going to teach/ guide/ support…) Paper-
guide/ (WHAT am I going to Digital
support…) based
teach/ guide/ support…) Resources
Resources
Health, social and • Health, social and environmental responsibility: social factors that contribute For more
environmental to substance abuse including community and media. enriching
responsibility • Management with medication, diet, healthy living and positive attitude. online
sources:
• Social factors that What you will need? WCED
contribute to Your textbook; Workbook; Internet Eportal:
substance abuse Articles on substance abuse Support pack
including Links on mental health and substance abuse (alcohol, drugs)
community and Information https://en.wik
media. about ipedia.org/wi
Definition: substance ki/Substance_
abuse: abuse
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern
TEACHERS
of use of a substance that is not considered dependant Textbook of
Social factors that contribute to substance abuse choice; https://www.
who.int/topic
Internet: s/substance_
WHO;
abuse/en/
News
articles; tv
https://en.wik
reports ipedia.org/wi
ki/Methamph
etamine

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 (translation of the picture above)
Factors contributing to substance abuse
• Have to deal with difficult situations • Peer pressure - Want to be like friends
• Teenagers experience different and to be accepted
situations that confuse them • To perform better – steroids
- Uncertain about self • Adverts say that certain drinks make a
- No hope party
- Believe that they can never do • Curiosity – wonder what it feels like to
anything right be drunk or high
- Think no one likes them • SA community takes a lot about
• To escape from negative feelings that substance abuse – characters on TV
become just too much drinking and smoking, singers singing
• Drugs give false sense of security when about drugs, people wearing t-shirts
having problems with slogans drinking and smoking
• Bad childhood, broken homes encouragement

Personal factors Social factors

Families

Children brought up in a family that has enough money to provide proper care
in the form of food, warmth and shelter and that love, and support always have
a better chance of avoiding substance abuse. They have good role models to
follow.

In South Africa there are many children who live in dysfunctional families. This is
a family that does not function well or provide proper care for children, for
various reasons. For example:
• A family where parents/caregivers cannot provide a proper home,
enough food or care.
• A family where children live with their brothers and sisters because their
parents have died. It is expected that there will be over five million children-
headed families by 2015.
• A family where parents/caregivers arrive home late in the evening and
have very little time to spend with their children.
• A family where parents/caregivers do not make sure their children are
supervised, and children can wander the streets and do what they want.
• A family where the members are constantly drunk, fighting or abusing
their children.

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 New word
dysfunctional families: families that do not function well or provide proper care
for the children

The children from dysfunctional families are more likely to seek support they
need from their peers or other groups in the community.

Community
Teenagers spend a lot of time with their friends, so what the group wants to do
has a big effect on individuals. Teens who do not have a secure family
background will be more likely to follow whatever the group decide. In extreme
cases the group is a gang. In some communities’ gangs have complete control
and everyone live with drug abuse and violence.
There are many social groups within the community that offer support and
enjoyment for teenagers. These include sports clubs, youth clubs, and religious
youth groups. In these groups can find an interest and enjoy structured time with
their peers.

Youth clubs provide both a safe and interesting environment to be with friends.

Read the following case study about Martin, once a gang member and now
a soccer player, and answer the questions that follow.

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 CASE STUDY From gang to soccer
“When you join the gang, you can never leave. Do you understand? These
tattoos, these numbers in ink, they are forever, man” says Martin, a former
gang member.
Martin is now a striker in street soccer league.
Two years earlier, Martin had been nearby, sucking on a pipe filled with tik,
when he was asked to join in a game.
The My Life Foundation, which uses soccer to get young people away from
gangs and drugs, offered Martin another path. Martin soon found that the
highs of goal scoring replaced the highs from drugs.
My life’s Barney Stevens, himself a former cocaine addict who now coaches
the team, said:” While they play soccer, they’re not out robbing, stealing,
causing chaos around the city.”
Source: Adapted from Cape Town’s gangs: Martin’s story, BBC Panorama, 1March
2010.

Identify effects of social groups in the community on

Activity 1 substance abuse

1. Which substance was Martin abusing?

2. Which group encouraged Martin to get involved with substance
abuse?
3. Which community group has helped Martin to turn his life around?

Media
Most teenagers watch TV. Many watch soap operas (stories that carry on every
day of the week). They identify with people in these shows, or even view them
as role models. All teenagers are exposed to advertising in newspapers,
magazines and on TV. Sometimes the media puts out the wrong message.

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 Look at these examples:

Is drinking a good way to have fun?

If our role models drink alcohol, should we do it too?

Appropriate behaviour to stop and avoid substance abuse: refusal and

decision-making skills

Everyone has the choice whether to abuse substances. Often it is hard to

decide and difficult to say no. As teenagers, we need to learn refusal skills. This
means we must learn to be assertive. Then we will say no with confidence.

New word
assertive: know how you feel and be able to make decisions

Refusal skills
You can learn refusal skills and be assertive. Look at these examples to see
how assertive people are.

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Adeline is not assertive. If you ask Adeline what movie she wants to see, she’s
most likely to say,” I don’t know. What do you want to see?” She usually lets
others decide things, but later she regrets not saying what she wanted. It bothers
her that her friends do most of the talking. But when Adeline tries to break into
the conversation, she speaks so softly that others talk over her without realising.

Thandi is over-assertive. Thandi has no trouble speaking her mind. But when she
does, she comes across as loud and opinionated. She dominates the
conversation, often interrupts, and rarely listens. If she disagrees with you, she
lets you know, usually with sarcasm or a putdown. She has a reputation for being
bossy and insensitive.

Joshua is assertive. When you ask for Joshua’s opinion, he gives it honestly. If he
disagrees with you, he will say so, but in a way that does not put you down or
make you feel wrong. Joshua is interesting in your opinion, too. He listens to what
you have to say. Even when Joshua disagrees with you, you still feel he respects
your point of view.

Here are some tips to become more assertive and say no:
• You can give an opinion or say how you feel.
• You can ask for what you want or need.
• You can disagree respectfully.
• You can offer your ideas and suggestions.
• You can say no without feeling guilty.
• You can speak up for someone else.

People who speak assertively send the message that they believe in themselves.
They’re not too timid and they’re not too pushy. They know that their feelings
and ideas matter. They’re confident and they can say no.
People who are assertive tend to make friends more easily. They communicate
in a way that respects other people’s needs as well as their own. They tend to
do better at working out conflicts and disagreements. People who give respect
get respect in return.

Decision-making skills
Young people are often drawn into substance abuse because they let pressure
get to them. This can be pressure from friends, or family or in life general. Do you
make your own decisions, or do you take the easy way out and agree to things
you regret later?

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 Activity 2 Assess your decision-making skills

Do this quiz below. Choose answer A, B OR C for each question.

1 How often do you agree with your friends?
A: Sometimes. I care what they think, but I make my own decisions.
B: Most of the time. We pretty much have the same view and we and
do the same things together.
C: Pretty much always. I do not like to rock the boat, so I go along with
my friends.
2 Do you have your own personal interest outside you’re your group of
friends?
A: I have a lot of interest that are different are my friends’.
B: I have one or two interest that my friends do not share.
C: I share the same interest. It is not as much fun doing something my
friends do not do.
3 Sometimes your friends may tell you to buy something (like a
clothing brand or a certain type of cell phone) because everyone else
has it. How many times have you gone out and bought that thing?
A: I do not buy what others have, just what I want.
B: Sometimes.
C: If my friends say something is cool, I will probably buy it.

4 Have you ever helped a friend who asked you to cheat?

A: No, never
B: Once or twice
C: Yes, sometimes
5 Have you ever picked on another person just because your friends did?
A: No, never
B: Sometimes
C: Usually
6 Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong (like skipping
class or shoplifting) just because others were urging you to just “go
along”?
A: No, never
B: Once or twice
C: Yes, sometimes
7 Have you ever changed your appearance to go along with your
friends?

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 A: No, never
B: Once or twice how
C: Often

Once everybody has answered all the questions, add up how many times
you have chosen Option A, Option B and Option C. The option that you
chose most often will give you an idea on how assertive you are. Your
teacher will help you with the assessment

Long and short-term consequences of substance abuse: link to crime,

violence and educational outcomes

People can become addicted to substances. This means that they are unable
to stop talking them because their bodies need the effects of the substances.
Being addicted to substances has long-term consequences including crime,
violence and an effect on your education.
Short-term consequences are those that may last for a short time, but long-term
consequences can last a lifetime.
Substance abuse affects your health, but it can also affect your education and
therefore your future. Substance abuse can also lead to violent behaviour and
crime, which also has and mental health.
Short-term health consequences include stomach pains and vomiting, mood
swings, disturbed sleep patterns and lack of concentration.
Long-term health consequences include heart and lung disease and brain
damage. For example, if pregnant mothers drink too much alcohol their babies
can be born with foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Read more about this
syndrome below.

New word
Foetal alcohol syndrome: alcohol poisoning of a foetus (baby in the womb)

FOETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

In a small town in the Northern Cape, 122 out of every 1 000 Grade 1 pupils have
foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), the highest incidence of the syndrome in one
population anywhere in the world.
Children are born with FAS because the mothers abuse alcohol during pregnancy.
Children with FAS are usually very small for their age with small heads, bulging eyes
and large foreheads. They are also mentally handicapped.

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 Activity 3 Examine foetal alcohol syndrome

1 What is foetal alcohol syndrome?

2 How do children get foetal alcohol syndrome?
3 What are the signs of FAS?
4 Can pregnant mothers do anything to prevent their babies getting
foetal alcohol syndrome? If so, what can they do?

Substance abuse and crime

According to the South African police, at least 60% of crimes nationally are
related to substance abuse. Criminals are either under the influence of
substances or trying to steal money to buy drugs.

Some people spend up to R30 000 per month on drugs. They sell everything
they can and even steal to finance their addiction.

Did you know?

• School kids who use alcohol or drugs are three times more involved
with violent crimes.
• About 65% of murders in South Africa are associated with social
behaviour largely fuelled by alcohol abuse.

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 Substance abuse and violence

Alcohol abuse is responsible for most violence in the home in South African.

John, you promised Can’t remember

to get the shopping
with the money I
gave you this
morning. I suppose
you spent it on
alcohol
Stop
nagging!

And the kids-you

said you’d give them
their lunch and help
them with their
homework Aagh!
You’re
hurting me

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 Activity 4 Discuss the effects of alcohol abuse

Work in groups and answer the following questions:

1 In the story, how can you tell John is abusing alcohol?
2 What are the short-term and long-term effects of alcohol abuse on
John?
3 What are the short-term and long-term effects alcohol abuse on John’s
family?
4 Invent a play where alcohol causes problems in a family. Act out the
play for the rest of the class.

Different types of drugs

Substance abuse and educational outcomes

Remember that one of the short-term health consequences of substance abuse

is lack of concentration. School children who are abusing substances cannot
concentrate in class and do not learn. They are often absent from school. Many
drop out of school altogether. This means that a long-term consequence will be
they have very little chance of ever getting a job.

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 CASE STUDY Tik takes hold of school children

It is almost midnight on Friday and teenagers meet in groups to get high.

“I smoke about seven times a day, “says Celine. “Tik doesn’t let you eat or sleep.
The stuff eats your brain.” Using tik for a long period of time causes brain damage,
even after you have stopped using the drug. Prolonged use also leads to skin
diseases, seizures, uncontrollable rage and violent behaviour.
Many of the girls are selling sex for tik. Drug counsellors say that increased sexual
activity has increases the risk of HIV infection and that it is all due to the huge
increase in use of tik, or speed, as it used to be called.
The acting head of the local high school estimates that 60% of the learners at the
school are tik addicts. The drug makes learners aggressive and fights break out in
class regularly. Teachers are exhausted trying to control their classes.

Counsellors say tik addicts need in-house rehabilitation, but few parents can the
fees at private clinics. There are very few government rehabilitation centres that
admits patients, and these have long waiting lists.
Residents say that poverty - an estimated 70% of people in the area are
unemployed – is fuelling the tik addiction in their area.
Counsellors say the only way to beat drug addiction is for parents to work together
with counsellors but very few parents are prepared to do this – they want instant
results.
Sixteen-year-old Roger says that the youth have nothing to look forward to. “They
are disillusioned with life and have no dreams, and therefore turn to drugs,” he
says.
Source: Adapted from the Cape Times 4 April 2005

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 Tik

Activity 5 Identify consequences of using tik

Read the study case and answer the questions below.

1 What is tik?
2 What are the socio-economic reasons why so many learners are using
tik?
3 List the short-term and long-term health, education and crime
consequences of using tik for the learners in this case study.
4.1 Suggest the ideal rehabilitation option for tik addicts.
4.2 Why is this option not possible for many tik addicts?
5 Suggest other ways of dealing with this problem, according to
councillors.

Rehabilitation options: where to find help, care and support

Rehabilitation means overcoming a problem and returning to normal life. If

you think that you or someone you care about is addicted to drugs or alcohol,
recognising the problem is the first step to rehabilitation.

New word
rehabilitation: overcoming a problem such as substance abuse and returning
to normal life

Many people think they can kick the problem on their own, but that rarely
works. Find you trust to talk to. It may help to talk to a friend or someone your
own age at first, but a supportive and understanding adult is your best option
for getting help. If you cannot talk to your parents, you might want to
approach a school counsellor, relative, doctor, favourite teacher, or religious
leader.
Unfortunately, overcoming addiction is not easy. Quitting drugs or drinking is
probably going to be one of the hardest things you or your friend have ever
done. It is not a sign of weakness if you need professional help.
There are several types of rehabilitation programmes. These include
counselling, group therapy, family therapy, medication and support groups.
Addicts can go to a clinic where they have continuous therapy for a period of
weeks. These clinics are very expensive and beyond the means of most
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 addicts and their families. Rehabilitation must be ongoing because there is
always the danger that an addict who has kicked the habit will become
depressed and start again.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) has partnered with
the Department of Social Development in launching a toll-free substance
abuse helpline to increase access to help, support and appropriate treatment
for substance users.

Places that can help

The toll-free helpline number for SADAG IS 0800 12 13 14, while you can also
send SMSs to 32312.

More places to go for help

• SANCA (South African National Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse )

Johannesburg 011 892 3475

Durban 031 202 2274

East London 043 722 1210

Witbank 013 656 2370
Klerksdorp 018 462 4568
Cape Town 021 945 4080
Port Elizabeth 041 453 6021
Bloemfontein 051 447 4111
Polokwane 015 295 3700
Kimberly 053 832 5216
• Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre 021 447 8026
• Madadeni Centre in KwaZulu-Natal 034 329 2011
• Thembisile in Mpumalanga 082 538 0146
• Thembelitsha in Eastern Cape 047 532 6556
• Itumeleng in North West 053 983 0373

Activity 6

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 Name any 5 know substances that are abused in your community.

• Parental intervention when noticing that something is wrong with the child’s actions.
PARENTS • Explain the reasons, pros and cons of their actions and decisions.
• Try and identify the substance used by your child.
• Take note when your child misses or are frequently late for school
• The dangers involved with using drugs and consequences.
• Don’t be judgmental, be open and responds honestly.
• Refer your child for treatment and rehabilitation.

Create an Awareness pamphlet on: The awareness on substance abuse

LEARNER You must have the will power to overcome addiction
Seek help voluntary as there is treatment available for drug addiction
Don’t feel pressured by peer pressure, family
Stay away from friends who are constantly abusing drugs
You have the right to say no
Make use of the alcohol and drug abuse HELPLINE for support

Answer the questions in all the activities

Why is it important to be informed about substance abuse?

Informal / Formal
Assessments
How do you prevent getting addicted to drugs, alcohol?

Why it’s important to stay away from tic?

Values Taught Decision making; Respect; Honesty; Integrity; Responsibility; Uniqueness; Vision; Perseverance.

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