Substance prevention education for upper secondary schools

EHYT’s lessons for upper secondary schools support young peoples' health knowledge by engaging students to discuss matters related to alcohol, nicotine products and drugs from a cultural and historical perspective. Students become acquainted with the historical changes of the Finnish drinking culture and discuss different perspectives on well-being and substance use together as a group.

Young female student with headphones on outside
Photo: Jukka Rapo / EHYT

“I learned that there are many different factors that affect the use of intoxicants (e.g. how the use of alcohol has changed throughout the history)” 

Feedback from student

For whom?

Students in upper secondary and vocational schools. Lessons are offered in English, Finnish and Swedish.

What?

During the lesson, substance use in Finland is discussed from historical, cultural and societal perspectives. Students are challenged to reflect on their views of alcohol and other drugs in small groups. Students get information on how alcohol consumption and drug use have changed over the years and how societal changes have affected the development. At the end of the lesson students create mind maps to reflect and discuss reasons behind the use of intoxicants and as well as the effects of substance use.

Lessons are offered as 75 min or 90 min (2 x 45 min). 

Why?

Substance prevention education is also needed among youth that are soon becoming of age. Young people entering adulthood, want to approach the conversation of intoxicants and substance use from many angles. It is important to discuss substance use in groups, as substance use significantly involves a social element. Young people’s attitudes towards intoxicants are affected by many things. When substance use is discussed openly, addressing both the good and the bad, young people can make more informed choices and understand how their own decisions affect different areas of life.

The lessons give students information on substance use culture in Finland and its’ historical development. Students have to reflect upon their own attitudes and are challenged to think about the effects of substance use on a wider scale.

“The way to approach the concept of intoxicants was very interesting as we do usually just get the usual “drugs are bad blah blah”, but here we actually learned things affecting the growing popularity of alcohol for example” 

Feedback from student

Prices

Lessons are priced by day. Day price includes lessons for 3-4 groups and covers educators travel expenses. More extensive packages are available subject to separate negotiations. 

One training day with 90 min lessons includes 3 groups max.
One training day with 75 min lessons includes 4 groups max.

1 day (max 3-4 groups) 300 € per day / educator
More than 3 days240 € per day / educator
Additional groups (1 group/day) 90 € / educator

For more information and bookings

Sara Saarinen

Saarinen Sara

Education planner +358 44 796 7897
More information about the person

How does schools prepare for the lessons?

The school will plan a schedule for assigned groups, so that each group works with us for either 2 x 45 min. (90min) or 1 x 75 min. Let us know your desired number of groups. We hope you can find a space that is equipped with a projector and a screen/whiteboard. Prezi-presentation is used during the lessons. When planning the schedule, please be clear in which classroom/space lessons are held for each group.

Amount of participants per group

The preferred amount of students in one group is max. 30 persons. Combining students from different groups may affect the group dynamic and student participation, which is why it is advised to have the students remain in the group that they are familiar with. In order for every group to get a lesson that suits their educational needs, we suggest you asses whether students in need of special support/education participates with the rest of the group or in their own group. Lessons can be adapted to suit everyone’s needs. Let us know about any specific requirements.

Planning the schedule

The lessons are scheduled according to the schools’ own distribution of lesson hours. Scheduling of the lessons may vary depending on the amount of groups, the scheduled date, and available educators. The schools’ wishes are considered when organizing the training.