Illicit Drugs Unlock the Gate of Addiction     
                      
Scenario:

    The National Household Survey (1997) documents an increase in current use of drugs, primarily marijuana, for youth 12-17 years old.

    The following tells the story of 13-year-old Cheryl whose family had recently moved to a new town. The move was difficult for Cheryl. She was faced with having to establish herself in a new community, a new school and with a new group of peers.

     No matter how hard Cheryl tried to make new friends, no one seemed willing to accept her into their group. She felt lonely and desperate for people to like and accept her. In an attempt to cover over her despair, Cheryl found herself   part of a group that frequently used marijuana to get "high".    The longer Cheryl remained with the group, the less she perceived her use of "pot" as a risk. She soon began to combine cigarettes or alcohol with   marijuana to get a better "buzz". To Cheryl, nothing bothered her anymore. Grades didn't matter and school seemed less important to her future.


Discussion Questions

1) First, describe the "pleasure circuit". Next, discuss the effect drug addiction has on the

    circuit. Lastly, explain the specific effect cocaine has on the "pleasure circuit".

2) Summarize the trend for use of marijuana by students in grades 4-12 as documented  by the
     2006-2007 PRIDE Survey and the 2007 Monitoring the Future survey. Describe three effects marijuana
     has on the brain.

3) As either an educator, health care provider, or a parent, propose a drug prevention plan
     incorporating  "asset building" and " principles of prevention"  which are appropriate for
    pre-adolescents and adolescents with whom you will come in contact in your selected setting.

4) First, support the statement: "Teachers and administrators are underestimating the drug problem 
    in schools." (make reference to the PRIDE Survey and Monitoring the Future Survey results).
   Then, discuss the major components of an effective school drug policy.

Internet links: Information from the following six links will assist you in responding to the above questions.

http://www.nida.nih.gov/MOM/TG/MOMTG-Index.html 
(Go to top bar; put cursor on "Facts on Drugs"; click on Brain and addiction. Read the
article. Go back to "Facts on Drugs" and click on "Marijuana". Read this article.)

http://www.drugabuse.gov/pdf/prevention/InBrief.pdf

What Kids Need: Developmental Assets | Search Institute
(Go to top bar; click on What Kids Need; click on developmental assets in the drop down box.
Read the asset article for 12-18 year olds. Go back to developmental assets; under more
 about assets, read the 2nd-4th articles)

Where the Asset Framework Comes From | Search Institute

http://www.pridesurveys.com/customercenter/ue06ns.pdf (standard and advanced graphics)

http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/pubs/monographs/overview2007.pdf

Sustaining Your Prevention Initiative-- Pg 15

Page developed by  Annie Boyle as part of her honor's project in school health