NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse
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Multimedia

  • NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow Discusses How Addiction Science Can Help Us Raise Drug-Free Kids (links to the Child Mind Institute Web site)
    • Description: NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow discusses the topic of how the science of addiction can help us raise drug-free kids in a webinar hosted by the Child Mind Institute’s campaign Speak Up for Kids.
    • Use as background information or as a resource for parents.
  • NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow on the Katie Couric Show (links to the main NIDA Web site)
    • Description: NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow appeared on “Katie” to answer questions about teen drug abuse. The episode, “What Your Kids Are Doing That You Don’t Know About,” included an expert panel discussion on the best ways for parents to talk about drugs and other dangerous behaviors with their children.
    • Use as background information or as a resource for parents.
  • ASCAway: Teen Prescription Drug Abuse (links to the American School Counselor Association Web site)
    • Description: Podcast where NIDA’s Communications Director discusses the prevalence and impact of teen prescription drug abuse and what school counselors can do to address the issue with the American School Counselor Association.
    • Use as background information for lesson plans.
  • NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow Profiled on CBS’ “60 Minutes” (links to the main NIDA Web site)
    • Description: “60 Minutes” correspondent Morley Safer interviews NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow about the revolution in science that has changed the way we view addiction, as well as Dr. Volkow’s own role in addiction research.
    • Use as background information for lessons or play the video in the classroom to add multimedia to your lesson.

National Events and Observances

  • National Drug Facts Week (links to the NIDA National Drug Facts Week Web site)
    • Description: Health observance week for teens that aims to shatter the myths about drug abuse and addiction.
    • Use the National Drug Facts Week resources to plan an event and engage teens to learn and share facts about drug abuse.
  • Drug Facts Chat Day (Grades 9‒12) (links to the NIDA National Drug Facts Week Web site)
    • Description: Online live chat where students ask NIDA scientists their questions about drug abuse (includes a teacher’s guide).
    • Use Drug Facts Chat Day to let students ask questions about drugs anonymously and get answers from scientists. Or, use past Chat Day transcripts (links to the NIDA National Drug Facts Week Web site) to develop discussion questions.
  • NIDA Science Fair Award for Addiction Science (links to the main NIDA Web site)
    • Description: Award program that is part of the world’s largest science competition for high school students.
    • Encourage students interested in science and research about the brain, drug abuse, and addiction to share their work at the national level.

Additional Drug Facts Resources

  • NIDA's Easy-to-Read Web Site (links to the NIDA Easy-to-Read Web site)
    • Description: Simple-to-understand information about drug abuse, addiction, and treatment. Each page of the Web site is written to be read out loud.
    • Use this site as a tool for parents looking for simple drug facts and information about topics such as addiction, recovery, and prevention.
  • NIDA's Parents & Teachers Page  (links to the main NIDA Web site)
    • Description: The latest science-based information about the health effects and consequences of drug abuse and addiction, and resources for talking with kids about the impact of drug use on health.
    • Use this page to find more indepth information about drug facts and addiction research as you prepare lessons.
  • Preventing Drug Abuse Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders, 2nd Edition (links to the main NIDA Web site)
  • NIDA Notes (links to the main NIDA Web site)
    • Description: Indepth, technical updates on the latest NIDA research on drug abuse and addiction.
    • Use this information as background information as you develop lesson plans and to stay up to date on current research.

Additional Teaching Tools

  • Teaching Packets
    • Description: Slides and notes about the consequences of drug abuse on the brain and body. Use these notes as you develop lessons or use the slides as part of a presentation.
      • The Brain & the Actions of Cocaine, Opiates, and Marijuana: The first in a 5-part series, this presentation offers an understanding of the brain, how the reward center works, and what happens in the brain when a person uses cocaine, opiates (heroine), or marijuana. Revised January 2007.
      • The Neurobiology of Drug Addiction: The second in a 5-part series, this presentation explores the science behind addiction, describing the brain and reward center, and the action of heroine and cocaine. Revised January 2007.
      • Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction: What Science Says: The third in a 5-part series, this presentation reviews the science behind drug abuse and addiction and introduces the topics of prevention and treatment. Revised January 2007.
      • The Neurobiology of Ecstasy (MDMA): The fourth in a 5-part series, this presentation explores the biology behind ecstasy use in the brain and discusses both short- and long-term effects of its use. Revised January 2007.
      • Bringing the Power of Science to Bear on Drug Abuse and Addiction: The fifth in a 5-part series, this presentation summarizes the science behind drug abuse and addiction, reviews the harmful consequences of drug use, and poses the question of whether it is worth the risk. Revised January 2007.
  • The Brain: Understanding Neurobiology Through the Study of Addiction (Grades 9‒12)
    • Description: National Institutes of Health curriculum supplement series equips teachers and students in grades 9 through 12 with interactive curriculum on the neurobiology of the brain as a result of drug abuse and addiction. Use this curriculum as a guide for developing lessons or as supplemental material. Revised March 2010.

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