Asynchronous Academy

The Opioid Crisis

Suggested Duration: 3 Hours

"The opposite of addiction is not sobriety—it's connection."

Dr. Gabor Maté, Canadian Physician, Author & Addiction Expert

The Biology of Risk

Why do teens often make impulsive decisions? Researcher Kashfia Rahman uncovered fascinating insights into how the teen brain processes reward and risk differently than adults.

Staying Alive – Understanding the Data

The leading causes of death for people aged 15–24 in Canada are largely preventable, with accidents and self-harm at the top of the list.

Modern Risks & The Opioid Epidemic

The substance use landscape has changed significantly. Experimenting with drugs today carries a higher risk of fatality due to the presence of synthetic opioids.

Addiction, Support, and Lifesaving Skills

Understanding the mechanics of addiction is a health priority, but knowing how to respond to an emergency is a survival skill.

Opioid Crisis Reflection & Resource Mapping

Task: Research the current state of the opioid epidemic in Canada and write a reflection (approximately 250–300 words) in a Markdown (.md) file addressing the following:

  1. Opioid Crisis T-Chart: Create a Markdown table comparing:
    • Left Column (The Risks & Impact): Identify the personal (physical/mental health, addiction), local (school, family), national, and international issues (supply chains, fentanyl trafficking) associated with the opioid crisis.
    • Right Column (Harm Reduction & Supports): Identify personal protective factors, local/provincial initiatives (such as free Naloxone kits in Ontario), national organizations, and international collaborations.
  2. Risk Mitigation: Explain how you will actively manage and avoid high-risk situations (peer pressure, parties, unsupervised gatherings) in your own life to protect your physical and mental well-being.
  3. Community Resources: Provide a short list of at least three specific resources (local clinics, crisis lines, provincial websites) where you or someone you care about can get help for addiction or compulsive behaviors today. Include the name, phone number or link, and a brief description of their services.
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Reflection Tip: When evaluating high-risk situations, think about practical scripts or exit strategies you can use in the moment. Having a pre-planned excuse (like "I have to get up early for work" or "My parents are picking me up") makes it much easier to walk away from pressure without feeling awkward.

Deliverable:

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Opioid Crisis Reflection & Resources

Submit your completed reflection and resource list as a Markdown (.md) file using the course app submission portal.

Assessment

Pre-Submission

Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.

What to Turn In

  • 📤

    Opioid Crisis Reflection & Resource List (.md file)

💡 A Different Way to Learn

Async Academy courses are inquiry-based. There are no rote answer keys or multiple-choice worksheets here. You learn by exploring, questioning, and building projects you care about.

Because your discovery path is completely unique, you need a human sounding board. Enroll to submit your projects and get personalized video feedback from an Ontario Certified Teacher to guide your work.

Learning Goals

We are learning to:

  • 🎯

    Understand the neurological factors that drive teen risk-taking and how to mitigate preventable harm

  • 🎯

    Identify the dangers of modern substances like fentanyl and the impact of the opioid epidemic in Canada

  • 🎯

    Learn how to access support and utilize lifesaving interventions like Naloxone

Success Criteria

I can:

  • ✅

    Develop strategies to manage or avoid high-risk situations that could lead to accidental harm

    Expectations Covered: C2
  • ✅

    Create a T-chart illustrating the personal, local, national, and international issues related to the opioid crisis

    Expectations Covered: C3
  • ✅

    Identify the different types of government and community supports available for mental health and addiction

    Expectations Covered: C1

Rubric

Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Analyzing the Opioid Crisis (Thinking / Inquiry)
How effectively does the student analyze personal, local, national, and international issues of the opioid crisis using a T-chart?
 Constructs an exceptionally detailed, thorough, and highly insightful T-chart comparing local/national/global issues Constructs a clear and detailed T-chart comparing issues Constructs a basic T-chart with simple comparisons Constructs a limited or incomplete T-chart
Risk Mitigation Strategies (Application)
How practically and realistically does the student formulate strategies to manage or avoid high-risk situations involving substances?
 Formulates highly practical, realistic, and effective personal strategies to avoid high-risk situations Formulates practical and clear personal strategies to avoid high-risk situations Formulates basic personal strategies with some effectiveness Formulates limited or unrealistic strategies
Health Resources Mapping (Knowledge / Understanding)
How accurately and thoroughly does the student identify and list local, provincial, and national mental health/addiction support resources?
 Identifies and lists critical support resources and emergency contacts with high accuracy and helpful detail Identifies and lists support resources and contacts with clear detail Identifies and lists basic support resources with some details Identifies support resources with limited detail or accuracy
Analyzing the Opioid Crisis (Thinking / Inquiry)
Criteria: How effectively does the student analyze personal, local, national, and international issues of the opioid crisis using a T-chart?
Level 4

Constructs an exceptionally detailed, thorough, and highly insightful T-chart comparing local/national/global issues

Level 3

Constructs a clear and detailed T-chart comparing issues

Level 2

Constructs a basic T-chart with simple comparisons

Level 1

Constructs a limited or incomplete T-chart

Risk Mitigation Strategies (Application)
Criteria: How practically and realistically does the student formulate strategies to manage or avoid high-risk situations involving substances?
Level 4

Formulates highly practical, realistic, and effective personal strategies to avoid high-risk situations

Level 3

Formulates practical and clear personal strategies to avoid high-risk situations

Level 2

Formulates basic personal strategies with some effectiveness

Level 1

Formulates limited or unrealistic strategies

Health Resources Mapping (Knowledge / Understanding)
Criteria: How accurately and thoroughly does the student identify and list local, provincial, and national mental health/addiction support resources?
Level 4

Identifies and lists critical support resources and emergency contacts with high accuracy and helpful detail

Level 3

Identifies and lists support resources and contacts with clear detail

Level 2

Identifies and lists basic support resources with some details

Level 1

Identifies support resources with limited detail or accuracy