NCJ Number
126673
Date Published
1990
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This middle-school (grades 6-9) student text presents seven lessons that guide students in an examination of the drug problem in a hypothetical middle school and the development of a plan to address the problem.
Abstract
Students are first asked to express their opinion about the use of illegal drugs, followed by a division of the class into groups of 3-5 students. Each student summarizes the group's discussions in writing. The drug problem at the hypothetical school is portrayed as involving the "crack" death of a student, suspensions for bringing drugs and alcohol on campus, and arrests of students for selling PCP. The student groups then consider the effects of the drug problem on students, teachers, principals, parents, the community, the school's reputation, the student activity program, and other groups and persons. Students then read actual newspaper accounts of drug use by adolescents and the consequences of such use. Issues the students consider are the seriousness of the national drug problem, where students get drugs, what school staff and parents know about drugs, and how to obtain information on drugs and the prevention of their abuse. The students are then guided step-by-step in the development of a plan to address the drug problem in the hypothetical school.