LEARNING OBJECTIVE

 To recognize the signs of alcohol poisoning, and identify circumstances that require medical attention 

HEALTH ED STANDARD

 Analyze the potential severity of injury or illness if engaging in unhealthy behaviors (NHES 1)

KEY VOCAB

atypical, enticing, chugging, acute alcohol poisoning, toxin, binge, slurring, stupor, depressant

Lesson Plan: One Deadly Night

Ninety percent of underage drinking is in the form of binge drinking. This article emphasizes both the dangers of alcohol poisoning and the importance of helping others when they’ve had too much. 

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What are the dangers of binge drinking, and when do I need to get help?

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. Why do people often consume more than they realize while drinking? When you pour your own drinks, you’re not measuring the amount of alcohol, so you may get more than one serving each time you fill your cup.
  2. Why does alcohol affect teens differently than adults? Teens are more vulnerable to alcohol poisoning because their bodies are more resistant to signals that tell them they’ve had too much. They need about two to three times as much alcohol as an adult before those warning signs are noticeable. 
  3. What is a Good Samaritan law? It’s a law that protects teens from getting in trouble for underage drinking if they’re the first ones to call 911 for help.

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 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. Despite what we see in the media, the rates of teen drinking are the lowest in decades. Why do you think that is? Possible answers: Teens are more aware of the risks, and they have other interests and passions. Technology might also be keeping kids from getting bored and lonely, so they don’t need to turn to booze. 
  2. What excuse would you use to get out of drinking? Why would it be effective for you? Possible answer: “I’m training for a sport right now, and don’t want to risk being sick.” That excuse would work because my friends know how important sports are to me. 
  3. Do you think alcopops should be banned? Why or why not? Answers will vary.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

NHES 7

Alcopop companies use every marketing trick in the book to try to persuade teens to start drinking. In this activity, students will use their new knowledge to create alternative packaging for alcopops, listing out the real ingredients and the risks involved. Using the WHAT’S REALLY IN THERE? worksheet, they’ll map out a design that tells teens the truth.

DIGGING DEEPER

NHES 1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.7

Are alcohol poisoning and binge drinking big issues in your community? Using the ALCOHOL INFOGRAPHIC handout, students will research to find hard facts related to alcohol misuse among teens. (The YRBS data from the CDC is a good place to start!) After, they’ll create an infographic—either online or by hand—that clearly lays out all of the facts.

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