THE TRUTH ABOUT DRUGS

PRE-PROGRAM STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE

1. What is a drug?2. Are Drugs Dangerous? Yes or No3. If you answered “yes” to #2 explain why you think

so.4. When you take a drug, does it affect your health? If

yes, how?5. When you take a drug, does it affect your ability to

learn? If yes, how?6. What does “drug addiction” mean?7. How does a person become addicted to a drug?8. If a person becomes addicted to a drug, how does

it affect his or her life?9. If you knew the facts about drugs and what they do

to you, how would this help you?

LESSON 1: WHY IS DRUG EDUCATION NECESSARY? PSA: They Said/They Lied Discussion: Give your view and

examples of lies or statements you have heard about drugs.

Documentary “The Truth About Drugs”Your task is to try and identify at least 2

statements about drugs that you already know and 2 statements about drugs you don’t already know.

WHY IS DRUG EDUCATION NECESSARY? CONTINUED.. Discussion

“Do you have to experience everything yourself in order to decide whether you want to get into something, or can you learn from other people’s experiences to make better choices/”

ActivityThink of 1 question you have about drugs

and write that question on a separate piece of paper.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT1. What do you think is the most

important information presented in this chapter of the documentary? Why?

2. If you were asked to write a short description of this chapter of the documentary, what would you say?

3. What do you think you can learn from other people’s experiences with drugs?

END OF LESSON 1

LESSON 2: OUR DRUG CULTURE**TURN IN HOMEWORK FROM

LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION Today’s focus: Societies drug problem What does “culture” mean?

The beliefs and activities that are common to members of a group. Includes ideas that people have about art, religion, family, and government, their ideas about what is important or valuable, how people should act and what people like to do for fun or entertainment.

INTRO CONTINUED… What do you think “drug culture”

means?Refers not only to the lifestyles of people

who abuse drugs and the modes of dress and behavior common to abusers of different types of drugs, but also refers to the degree to which drugs have invaded so many aspects of our society and have influenced our culture in fundamental ways.

Watch PSA’s: “E”; “Party All Night”; “Love Lost”;

“Medicine Chest”; “Focus”

DISCUSSION Based on your own experience, what are

some examples of ideas or actions that are part of the drug culture?

VOCABULARY TO KNOW Center for Disease Control

An agency of the U.S. Government, with headquarters and main laboratories in Atlanta, Georgia. The CDC conducts research into the origin and occurrence of diseases and develops methods for their control and prevention.

Rush The first surge in sensation felt when smoking or

injecting a drug, varying in length in length depending on the drug

Cocktail A beverage or solution made up of various drugs.

DISCUSSION How does the problem of drug culture

directly or indirectly affect you or your family or how could it affect you in the future?Examples

People who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol are posing a danger, not only to themselves, but many others as well.

People who steal or commit other crimes to have money to buy drugs make the community unsafe.

HOMEWORK Create a cartoon-type sketch that

depicts some aspect of the drug culture. Clearly show a belief, idea or action that is

part of the drug culture.

END OF LESSON 2

LESSON 3: WHY DO PEOPLE

TAKE DRUGS?**TURN IN HOMEWORK FROM

LESSON 2

INTRODUCTION Write down some reasons why you think

people take drugs. PSA’s

Watch “Popular”. Discuss “do you think people take drugs to be cool?”

Watch “Best High”. Discuss “do you think people take drugs to feel

better?” Watch “Tripping”.

Discuss “do you think people take drugs to forget their problems?”

Watch “One of The Guys”. Discuss “do you think people take drugs to be

accepted by their friends?”

ASSIGNMENT1. Give 2 examples of the following

statement, either from your own experience or from one that you invent: “The consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve with them.

2. For each of the 2 examples you gave in answer to question #1, describe something that the person might have done to solve the problem that he/she was trying to solve with drugs.

LESSON 4: HOW DO DRUGS WORK & HOW DO THEY AFFECT THE MIND?

WATCH PSA’S

“Just Once”

“One Hit”

“Stay Up and Study”

“Sniffing”

VOCABULARY TO KNOW Poison

A substance that causes illness, injury or death if taken into the body or produced within the body.

StimulantA drug that increases immediate energy

and alertness but that is accompanied by increases in blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.

SedativeA medicine or drug that calms or makes one

sleep.

HOW DO DRUGS WORK? Drugs are poisons

How much you take determines the effect. Small amount speeds you up (stimulant) Greater amount slows you down

(sedative) Even greater amount can KILL! Directly affect the mind

Distort perception Actions may be odd, irrational, inappropriate,

and even destructiveBlock off all sensations

Wipe out alertness and muddy’s one’s thinking.

IS MEDICINE CONSIDERED A DRUG? Intended to speed up, slow down, or

change something about how your body is working to try and make it work better.

They are still drugsAct as sedatives or stimulantsToo much can kill you!

If used incorrectly they can be as dangerous as illegal drugs.

DRUGS AFFECT THE MIND Blur memory, causing blank spots

Brain becomes a cloudy mess. Drugs make people feel slow and stupid

causing failures in life.The more you fail, the tougher life becomes,

and the more drugs you want. Drugs destroy creativity.

Give a false sense of feelingWith each episode the plunge is lower and

lower, eventually destroying all creativity.

ASSIGNMENT Which of the PSA’s viewed today best

shows the effects of drugs you have been learning about?

Write a short explanation of why you believe so.

Grade will not be determined by which PSA you choose, but by whether your explanation shows you have understood the effects of the drugs you learned about in this lesson.

END LESSON 4

LESSON 5: THE TRUTH ABOUT MARIJUANA PSA “Gateway”

What did you learn from watching the PSA?

Documentary: The Truth About MarijuanaDo you think marijuana use can lead to

harder drugs?

VOCABULARY TO KNOW (DO NOT COPY) Bronchitis

An inflammation (irritation, swelling, painful condition) of the bronchi, the two branches of the windpipe that carry the air into the lungs.

Gateway Drug A drug which when used may lead to the use of more

addictive substances. High

Having a temporary false feeling of happiness, with reduced physical and mental control, by use of alcohol or a drug.

Immune System Consists of all the organs and processes in the body that

protect a person from illness and infection. Laced

Added a small amount of a drug or alcohol to something.

VOCABULARY CONTINUED…. Menstrual Cycle

In a nonpregnant woman, the discharge of blood and other material from the lining of the uterus about once a month.

Panic attack A sudden overpowering feeling of fear or anxiety

that prevents somebody from functioning, often triggered by a past or present source of anxiety.

Potency The strength of something such as a drug or

alcoholic beverage. Prenatal

Existing or happening during pregnancy but before childbirth.

AND MORE VOCABULARY…. Resin

A semisolid substance that comes from the sap of some plants and trees. It is used in varnishes, paints, adhesives, inks and medicines

Respiratory tract The passage formed by the mouth, nose, throat

and lungs, through which air passes during breathing.

Tolerance The natural or developed ability to resist the

effects of the continued or increasing use of a drug. When someone uses a drug or other substance over an extended period, they are said to build up a tolerance for the effects of the drug.

WHAT IS MARIJUANA? Dried flowers, seeds, and leaves of the

Indian hemp plant. Street names

Mary Jane, astro turf, bhang, dagga, dope, ghanja, grass, hemp, home grown, J, pot, reefer, weed, roach, and Texas Tea.

HashishMade from resins of the Indian hemp plant.On average 6 times stronger than marijuana.

CannabisRefers to any drug that comes from the Indian

hemp plant.

WHAT IS MARIJUANA CONTINUED…. Hallucinogen

Substance which distorts how the mind perceives the world you live in.

THCChemical that causes the distortionAmount in each batch varies, percentage

has increased drastically in recent years.

HOW IS IT USED? Smoked as a cigarette (joint) Mixed with food and eaten Replace tobacco in cigars with

marijuana (blunt) When smoking a joint, person feels

effects within minutes. increased heart rate, lessened coordination

and balance.“dreamy” unreal state of mind that peaks

within the first 30 minutes of taking.Short term effects wear off in 2-3 hours.

EFFECTS & CONSEQUENCES Severe impact on the smoker’s lungs

1 joint gives as much exposure to cancer producing chemicals as 5 cigarettes.

Poorer memory and mental aptitude than non-users.

Animals given marijuana by researchers have shown signs of structural damage to the brain.

EFFECTSSHORT TERM & LONG TERM

Sensory distortion Panic Anxiety Poor coordination of

movement Lowered reaction time Increased heart rate

and risk of heart attack

Reduced resistance to common illnesses.

Growth disorders Increase of abnormally

structured cells in the body.

Reduction of male sex hormone

Reduced sexual capacity Lack of motivation Personality and mood

changes Inability to understand

things clearly

ASSIGNMENT Answer the following questions

1. Marijuana comes from a plant. True of False?

2. Can the use of marijuana lead to harder drugs?

3. What are some of the short-term effects of marijuana?

4. What are some of the long-term effects of marijuana?

5. What was the most important thing you learned from this lesson and how do you plan to use what you have learned?

END LESSON 5

LESSON 6: THE TRUTH ABOUT

ALCOHOL

VOCABULARY Blackout

A temporary loss of consciousness, sight or memory. Delirium Tremens

A psychotic condition typical of withdrawal in chronic alcoholics, involving tremors, hallucinations, anxiety, and disorientation.

Dependence Having a physical or mental “need” to use a drug or

other substance regularly, despite the fact that it is likely to have a damaging effect.

High Blood pressure The heart must work harder to pump blood through the

arteries. If condition persists, damage to the heart and blood vessels is likely.

VOCABULARY CONTINUED… Motor skills

Dexterity and ease of coordination in the execution of body motions.

Nerve cells Cells that are part of the nervous system and send

messages to and from the brain. Toxicity

The state of being poisonous to somebody or something.

VIDEOS PSA “One of The Guys”

Documentary: The Truth About Alcohol

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ALCOHOL There is evidence of an early alcoholic drink in

China around 7000 B.C. In India, an alcoholic beverage called sura, distilled

from rice, was in use between 3000 and 2000 B.C. In the 16th Century alcohol (called “spirits”) was

used largely for medicinal purposes. In 1920 the United States passed a law prohibiting

the manufacture, sale, import, and export of intoxicating liquors. The illegal alcohol trade boomed and by 1933, the prohibition of alcohol was cancelled.

Today an estimated 15 million Americans suffer from alcoholism and 40% of all car accident deaths in the U.S. involve alcohol.

WHAT IS ALCOHOL AND WHAT DOES IT DO? It is a drug

Classified as a depressant (slows down vital functions-resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, and inability to react quickly).

Affects the mind Reduces a person’s ability to think rationally and

distorts his/her judgment. A beer or glass of wine creates a stimulant effect

“Loosens” you up. Consume more than body can handle, experience the

depressant effect. Start to feel “stupid” or lose coordination and control.

ALCOHOL AND ITS EFFECTS Overdose

Toxicity where body vomits the poison Unconsciousness Coma or death from severe toxic overdose.

Kinds of Alcohol Ethyl (ethanol)

the only alcohol used in beverages, is produced by fermentation (chemical process where yeast acts upon ingredients in the food, creating alcohol) of grains and fruits.

Fermented drinks such as beer and wine contain from 2% to 20% alcohol.

Distilled drinks or liquor, contain 40% to 50% or more alcohol.

ALCOHOL CONTENT Beer 2-6% alcohol Cider 4-8% alcohol Wine 8-20% alcohol Tequila 40% alcohol Rum 40% or more Brandy 40% or more Gin 40-47% Whiskey 40-50% Vodka 40-50% Liqueurs 15-60%

AFFECTING THE BODY Absorbed into the blood stream via small blood

vessels in walls of stomach and small intestine. Within minutes, travels from stomach to the brain,

where it quickly produces its effects, slowing the action of nerve cells.

20% is absorbed through the stomach, 80% is absorbed through the small intestine.

The liver eliminates the alcohol from the blood through a process called metabolizing Liver can only metabolize a certain amount at a time,

thus the intensity of the effect on the body relates to amount of alcohol consumed.

TEENS AND ALCOHOL Cannot cope with alcohol the same way an adult

can. More harmful to teens because the brain is still

developing. Drinking during this time can lead to lifelong damage in

brain function (memory, motor skills, and coordination). Young people who begin drinking before age 15

are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.

WHAT IS BINGE DRINKING? The practice of consuming large quantities of

alcohol in a single session. Defined as 5 or more drinks at one time for a man, or 4

or more drinks at one time for a woman. 90% of alcohol consumed by youth under the age

of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinking.

ALCOHOLISM (ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE) Consists of 4 symptoms:

Craving a strong need , or compulsion to drink.

Loss of Control inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.

Physical Dependence withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and

anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking.

Tolerance The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to get

high.

Alcoholism is not a destination, but a progression, a long road of deterioration in which life continuously worsens.

KEY STATISTICS Alcohol kills more teenagers than all other drugs

combined. It is a factor in the 3 leading causes of death among 15-24 year olds: accidents, homicides and suicides.

Youth who drink are 7.5 times more likely to use other illegal drugs and 50 times more likely to use cocaine than young people who never drink.

As many as 40% of violent crimes occur under the influence of alcohol.

EFFECTS

Short Term Slurred speech Drowsiness Vomiting Diarrhea Upset stomach Headaches Unconsciousness coma

Long Term Unintentional injuries Family problems Alcohol poisoning High blood pressure,

stroke, and other heart related diseases.

Liver disease Sexual problems Ulcers Cancer of the mouth

and throat

ASSIGNMENT In groups than no more than 4 Write a short skit that demonstrates

how someone’s life could be affected by alcohol.

Skit should be approximately 2-5 minutes long.

Must demonstrate what your group has learned about the effects of alcohol during this lesson.

Skits need to be turned in when completed.

END LESSON 6

LESSON 7: THE TRUTH ABOUT

ECSTASY

LESSON 8: THE TRUTH ABOUT

COCAINE

KEY VOCABULARY Delirium

A state marked by extreme restlessness, confusion, and sometimes hallucinations, caused by fever, poisoning or brain injury.

Dilated Enlarged, usually describing the pupils of the eyes.

Edginess A state of being nervous and anxious and likely to lose control.

Erratic Unpredictable and unstable.

Euphoria A feeling of great joy, excitement or well-being.

Hallucination The perception of somebody or something that is not really

there, which is often a response to some drugs.

VOCABULARY CONTINUED… Hyper-excitability

Hyper means excessive, unusually high. Hyper-excitability means unusually high excitability (nervous and liable to become quickly excited).

Hyper-stimulation Unusually stimulated (to cause physical activity in

something such as a nerve or an organ). Methamphetamine

Highly addictive central nervous system stimulant; an illegal, man-made synthetic drug in the same class as cocaine and other powerful street drugs.

Narcotic A drug affecting then CNS which can cause dizziness,

euphoria, loss of memory, lack of coordination and unconsciousness.

VOCABULARY CONTINUED… Respiratory failure

Lessening or breakdown of the ability to breathe oxygen into the body.

Sleep deprivation Not having or being prevented from having sufficient

sleep. Stroke A sudden blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in

the brain resulting in, for example, loss of consciousness, partial los of movement or loss of speech.

Tactile Relating to or used for the sense of touch.

VIDEOS PSA: Party all Night

Documentary: The Truth About Cocaine

READ & ANSWER FROM BOOKLET What is Cocaine?

A Deadly White Powder

Why is Cocaine So Highly Addictive?

Effects of Cocaine

Short Term Effects

Long Term Effects

END LESSON 8

LESSON 9: THE TRUTH ABOUT

CRACK COCAINE

KEY VOCABULARY Auditory

Related to hearing Blood vessel

Any of the veins that transport blood through the body. Mood disturbance

Disturbances in a person’s emotional life. Including feeling of sadness, hopelessness and worthless, complaints of physical pain, and changes in appetite, sleep patterns and energy levels.

Reproductive damage Damage caused to the parts of the body having to do with the

production of children. Tactile hallucinations

Tactile means having to do with the sense of touch. Tactile hallucination is when someone experiences some perception related to touch when it is not really there.

VIDEOS PSA: Love Lost

Documentary: The Truth About Crack

READ & ANSWER FROM BOOKLET What is Crack Cocaine?

Why is Crack So Highly Addictive?

Effects of Crack Cocaine

Physical and Mental Effects

LESSON 10: THE TRUTH ABOUT

CRYSTAL METH &

METHAMPHETAMINE

VIDEO/ASSIGNMENT The World’s Most Dangerous Drug

Assignment:Draw a line down the center of a piece of

paper or fold sheet in half. On the left side draw a face and make it

look as pretty or handsome as you can. Label it: “Before taking Crystal Meth”.

On the right side draw the same character showing how the features have changed after the person has been taking crystal meth for a few years. Label it: “After taking Crystal Meth”.

LESSON 11: THE TRUTH ABOUT

INHALANTS

KEY VOCABULARY Anesthetics

Substances doctors use to stop a person from feeling pain during an operation.

Butane A gas obtained from petroleum and used as a fuel.

Muscle wasting Gradual shrinking of the muscles because the muscle tissue is

being burned up by the body. Nitrous oxide

A colorless, sweet-smelling gas used as an anesthetic Paint thinner

A liquid such as turpentine that is added to paint to make it less thick.

Propane Colorless gas used for cooking and heating.

KEY VOCABULARY CONTINUED… Solvent

A substance that dissolves another substance to form a solution.

TolueneA colorless liquid used as a solvent and a

fuel. Vaporize

To change into invisible particles floating in the air by heating and spraying.

VIDEOS PSA: “Sniffing”

Documentary: The Truth About Inhalants

READING ASSIGNMENT- END LESSON 11

LESSON 12: THE TRUTH ABOUT

HEROIN

VIDEO Heroin: A Global Game

Assignment:Objective: Demonstrate your ability to

evaluate the life cycle of heroin. Starting at the farming level, include as many

areas you can that demonstrate the impact heroin has on people, places, and even war.

Evaluate the most powerful part of the life of heroin in your opinion.

Draw/create a cartoon/write or use whatever creative way you want to complete the assignment.

LESSON 13: THE TRUTH ABOUT

LSD

KEY VOCABULARY Disassociate

Cut association with, disconnect from; no longer be involved with.

Ergot fungus The mold ergot which infects the flowers of wheat, rye,

and other grains and produces poisons that can harm humans and animals that eat the infected grain.

Trip The experience produced by taking a drug such as LSD.

VIDEOS/READING ASSIGNMENT PSA: “Tripping”

Documentary: The Truth about LSD

Complete worksheet

LESSON 14: THE TRUTH ABOUT PRESCRIPTION

DRUG ABUSE

KEY VOCABULARY Bludgeon

To hit with, or as if with, a heavy club. Body chemistry

Any or all of the elements that make up the body as well as its various reactions.

Cold flash A sudden rush or sensation of coldness

Diabetes A chronic disease characterized by excess sugar in the

blood, excessive thirst, hunger, and urination, and weakness. If not treated, diabetes can result in coma and death.

VIDEO/ASSIGNMENT PSA: “Focus”

Documentary: The Truth About Prescription Drug Abuse.

Complete Reading Assignment and worksheet.

LESSON 15: THE TRUTH ABOUT

PAINKILLERS

KEY VOCABULARY/VIDEOS Appalachians

A mountain system in eastern North America, extending from southern Quebec to north Alabama.

Opium Wars Two trading wars (1839-1842, 1856-1860) between

Great Britain and China that began as a conflict over the opium trade.

Video PSA: Medicine Chest Documentary: The Truth About Painkillers

Assignment Reading and complete worksheet.

LESSON 16:THE FINAL

WORD

VIDEO/FINAL PROJECT Documentary: The Final Word

Final Project: Choose between Project or Exam. (Click to view) Each worth 75 points