Educational Media Reviews Online

According to the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey one in five teens reported using prescription drugs that were not given to them by a doctor. The Partnership for a Drug Free America is quoted as saying that three in five teens find getting prescription drugs as easy as going to their parents’ medicine cabinets. In this video a narcotics officer and a drug counselor give facts on the physical and social effects of common prescriptions drugs used by teens. Most impactful are the stories told by a variety of young people, who are recovering from addictive use, about how out of control they became and how all areas of their lives were affected.

Topics covered include societal influences and misconceptions that allow recreational use of prescription drugs and the physical effects of depressants and stimulants on the brain, including addiction. Recovering users answer questions in a group setting about how they started using, parental prescription use, dose size, legal problems, losing trust in family relationships, and the effects their drug use had on their education and ability to become employed. This film would be useful in a prevention program or junior or senior high school health class setting. The message for young people is, “don’t use drugs not prescribed for you, but if you or your friends are having problems with use, seek help from a trusted adult.”

The video is accompanied by a notebook with learning objectives, a summary of the DVD, a pre/post test with answer key, student activities and fact sheets suitable for class handouts. It is suitable for junior high through young college prevention programs and health classes.