Marijuana: Why and How to Say No

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2 Marijuana: Why and How to Say No catalog #2453 Teacher/Counselor Guide Video Produced by Ragamuffin Movies Guide Written by Bargo Bristow, C.A.D.C., C.R.R.T., N.C.A.C. The Arhat Group Published & Distributed by AGC/UNITED LEARNING 1560 Sherman Avenue Suite 100 Evanston, IL Hour Fax No Website: AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

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6 MARIJUANA: Why And How To Say No Viewing Time: 25 minutes INTRODUCTION This video program is intended for use with children in grades 5-8, or from ages ten through thirteen. It can be used in a variety of settings, including schools, counseling programs, intervention centers, churches and synagogues, rehabilitation and clinical programs, and juvenile detention centers. This program shows that marijuana is a powerful and dangerous drug that can drastically alter a young person s ability to perceive, think, understand, communicate, and remember, thus inhibiting his or her ability to do well in school, relate with family and friends, and succeed in sports, arts, clubs, or other activities. This program will give young people a variety of specific reasons and techniques to say no to marijuana. TEACHER/COUNSELOR PREPARATION It is suggested that you preview the videotape and read the related printed materials before involving participants in the lesson activities. Review the lesson plans and blackline masters intended to increase the impact of the lesson. Any materials included with this program may be tailored to fit your group s specific needs. AUDIENCE PREPARATION Explain to your audience that many teenagers will eventually be faced with an offer to use marijuana. Tell them that this program will describe the many physical and psychological damages of marijuana use and will help them understand why and how they should refuse such an offer. Students will need a pen or pencil to complete the blackline master activities. AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

7 VIDEO SUMMARY Through candid testimonials from former marijuana users, group discussions, information from medical and counseling professionals and meaningful narration, this program presents the facts about marijuana use. It also provides concrete examples of how to say no to marijuana use, alternative activities for entertainment, and incentives to stay drug free. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES After viewing the video and participating in the follow-up activities, participants will be able to: Describe the physical effects of marijuana use. Describe the psychological effects of marijuana use. Demonstrate several methods of saying no to marijuana use. Cite examples of rewarding, stimulating activities that provide healthy alternatives to marijuana use. SUGGESTIONS FOR INTRODUCING THE VIDEO Explain that the video about to be shown provides information on the physical and psychological effects of marijuana use. Even though it is illegal to possess marijuana in the United States, many people, including youth, use it. Explain that if they are equipped with the education and tools to refuse involvement with marijuana, they will be prepared to avoid it now and into the future. Distribute Blackline Master 1, Marijuana Damages Your Body, and Blackline Master 2, Marijuana Damages Your Mind. Read and review this information with participants. Participants may want to keep this information for future reference. Emphasize the effects of marijuana listed on Blackline Master 1, Marijuana Damages Your Body, and Blackline Master 2, Marijuana Damages Your Mind. Physical Effects With each puff of a marijuana joint or cigarette, a smoker will inhale more than 150 cancer-causing substances. 4 AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

8 Marijuana is a dangerous drug that contains 420 chemicals, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a powerful hallucinogenic substance. Marijuana affects the functioning of the reproductive systems. Marijuana users run the risk of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and other lung diseases. Smoking less than one joint a day reduces lung capacity to the same as smoking 16 tobacco cigarettes a day. One joint can cause as much lung inflammation as 7 to 20 tobacco cigarettes. Over 100 of the 420 chemicals in marijuana smoke are lung irritants. There are over 150 kinds of hydrocarbons in marijuana smoke--each one has been identified as being a cause of pre-cancerous growths in the lungs. Most regular marijuana smokers have a greater occurrence of colds, flu, bronchitis, asthma, and sore throats. Cilia, the small hair-like covering of the lungs, are burned and destroyed by marijuana smoking. Cilium helps move bacteria out of the lungs and protects the delicate tissue of the lungs from infection. Marijuana use increases heart rate up to 50%, can bring chest pain or stroke to people who experience a sporadic or poor supply of blood to the heart, and makes changes in the circulatory system. This is the part of the body that moves the blood and oxygen throughout the body. Marijuana can cause a drop in blood pressure causing headache, dizziness and faintness. Marijuana is stored in the fat cells of the body. Your brain is onethird fat cells. Marijuana can remain stored in the brain's fat cells for up to six weeks after usage. Marijuana usage widens the gap between nerve endings in the brain. This damages how your brain sends messages from one part of the brain to another. With extensive usage, chemical buildup will occur and this interferes with cell communication. AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

9 Marijuana damages the production of protein in brain cells which is needed for the cells to survive. Because marijuana builds up in the fatty membranes of the body's cells, it affects the entire cellular process, including immunity to disease and illness. White blood cell formation is harmed due to marijuana smoking. Mind/Psychological Effects Marijuana drastically heightens emotions and can make users feel out of control as their moods swing up and down. Marijuana can make people feel disconnected from others, disoriented, paranoid, or give them panic reactions. Marijuana lowers the ability to think, concentrate, remember, understand, and communicate. Marijuana smokers typically have slower brainwaves, which means that their minds work slower than those of non-users. Marijuana use often leads to lower grades in school, which greatly limits a user s choices for future education and employment. Marijuana creates an apathetic I don t care attitude in users - they stop caring about the things that were once important to them. Marijuana takes users away from sports, hobbies, family, work, and other activities that help them grow wiser and stronger. Present the video. The viewing time is 25 minutes. 6 AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

10 SUGGESTED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS You may choose to lead a class discussion based on the following questions: 1. In the beginning of the video, a high school boy addressed a group in a classroom setting. What were some of the effects of marijuana use that he experienced? Answer: He lost interest in school. He was changing into a different person, one he did not want to be. He stopped caring about things he once valued. He lacked motivation and he said marijuana will grab you and suck you in. 2. Why do you think the boy in the video stopped using marijuana? Answers will vary. 3. Why do you think the people in the video took their personal time to dissuade others from using marijuana? Answer will vary. 4. What are some of the physical effects of marijuana use? Which parts of the body are affected the most? Answer: Users of marijuana may experience heart and central nervous system damage, increase in pulse and decrease in blood pressure, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, unsteady balance, respiratory problems, and slowed brain functioning. Marijuana most affects the brain, lungs, and heart, but all systems of the body are affected by use. 5. What are some of the psychological effects of marijuana use? Answer: Marijuana impairs learning, memory, and mental performance. Users slow down, have trouble communicating, and exhibit lessened coherence, which can lead to apathy, depression, loss of motivation, withdrawal, loss of concentration, paranoia, panic, and disorientation. All of these effects lessen a person s ability to function psychologically. 6. What effect could marijuana use have on a person s future? Answer: Because marijuana use often results in apathy, depression, and detachment, a user may become less concerned about grades, extra-curricular involvements, family, and friends. Permanent damage may be done to a person s school records (such as gradepoint average or test scores) and personal relationships, which may result in fewer opportunities educationally, socially, athletically, and professionally. AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

11 7. What are some of the ways to say "no" to marijuana? Answer: Just say "no." Use specific examples of your involvements that are incompatible with marijuana, i. e., sports, creative pursuits. Let the marijuana pass by you as it is offered to you. (Participants may give many other acceptable answers.) 8. What is rebellion? How can it lead to marijuana use? How can you express your individuality in healthy ways? Answer: Rebellion is purposely going against the wishes of authority figures, such as parents, teachers, and societal conventions. Marijuana use is a form of rebellion in that it is illegal, harmful, and most authority figures disdain its use. It is natural to want to express your individuality and make your own decisions. There are many ways to be your own person and make positive choices at the same time, such as sports, arts, computers, various clubs, music, and community involvement. 9. How does peer pressure affect your decision to use marijuana? Answer: If your peers are using marijuana, they may offer it to you. Usually users will understand if you refuse; not everyone wants to try marijuana. However, if you are in a situation in which your peers are using marijuana, you will need to use your refusal skills. You can also avoid peer pressure by hanging around people who do not use drugs. FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES Using a model or drawing of the human body, identify the parts that are affected by marijuana use and describe the effects. Stage a role play similar to the one in the video in which a marijuana user attempts to get his peers to try the drug. Use a pencil to represent the marijuana. Take turns using various methods to say "no" to marijuana. Ask audience members to relate stories of marijuana use and its effects. What has happened to their peers who have used marijuana? Are the effects admirable? Productive? Healthy? Divide the audience into two groups: one will pursue a story line that involves marijuana, the other a story line that does not involve marijuana. Give the two groups one of the following scenarios and have them predict the future for this individual, given his or her involvement with or without marijuana: 8 AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

12 Scenario 1 Tommy is a good student who loves computer games and is entering high school next year. He studies hard, turns in his homework on time, and gets good grades. He spends dinnertime with his family almost every night and is close to his younger brother and sister. His goal is to design computer games for a living. Scenario 2 Sarah is an average student who loves sports and is entering high school next year. She gets good grades if she studies hard. She plays sports year-round: soccer, softball, and basketball. Her parents were recently divorced, and she has been trying to maintain a positive attitude to help her family heal. She has dreams of becoming either a personal trainer or a veterinarian. Have each group present its version of Tommy s or Sarah s future and compare the differences. Do their futures look more promising with or without marijuana use? Distribute Blackline Master 3, Peer Pressure. This exercise is designed to help participants identify the various forms of peer pressure, identify how to remain true to their individual values, and identify why peer pressure exists. You may choose to form small groups or have participants work individually. After participants have completed the exercise, share answers with the group. Distribute Blackline Master 4, Alternative Fun. Use the options provided to highlight the many activities available that provide natural highs through creativity and community involvement. Distribute Blackline Master 5, Your Thoughts Please. The purpose of this activity is to provide opportunities for participants to give careful consideration to decisions they make. Allow time for contemplation and written responses during group time or as a take-home exercise. Provide time for several volunteers to share their experiences with the group. Distribute Blackline Master 6, Vocabulary. Discuss with participants the meanings and implications of the terms presented. Feel free to add terms which you think are appropriate. You may choose to distribute this list to your participants before viewing the video. Discuss any terms and their definitions which may not be clear to your group. AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

13 After viewing the video and completing the follow-up activities, distribute Blackline Master 7, Drug-Free Contract. Encourage participants to fill out the contract and post it in a prominent place in their homes. EXTENDED LEARNING ACTIVITY Research your local chapter of D.A.R.E. ( Drug Awareness Resistance Education), S.A.D.D. (Students Against Driving Drunk), or other substance awareness programs. Become involved in peer efforts to curb substance abuse and increase education and information availability. ADDITIONAL VIDEO RESOURCES AVAILABLE FROM UNITED LEARNING The Trouble with Tobacco Catalog #2958 Drug Danger: Easy to Start, Hard to Stop Catalog #2415 Drug Danger: In the Brain Catalog #2450 Drug Danger: In the Body Catalog #2478 Inhalants Catalog #8424 Additional video titles and descriptions are available in our catalog and/or our website. United Learning Telephone: (800) Fax: (847) bistern@interaccess.com Website: 10 AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

14 1 Name Date MARIJUANA: Why And How To Say "No" Marijuana Damages The Body With each puff of a marijuana joint or cigarette, a smoker will inhale more than 150 cancer-causing substances. Marijuana is a dangerous drug that contains 420 chemicals, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a powerful hallucinogenic substance. Marijuana affects the functioning of the reproductive systems. Marijuana users run the risk of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and other lung diseases. Smoking less than one joint a day reduces lung capacity to the same as smoking 16 tobacco cigarettes a day. One joint can cause as much lung inflammation as 7 to 20 tobacco cigarettes. Over 100 of the 420 chemicals in marijuana smoke are lung irritants. There are over 150 kinds of hydrocarbons in marijuana smoke--each one has been identified as being a cause of precancerous growths in the lungs. Most regular marijuana smokers have a greater occurrence of colds, flu, bronchitis, asthma, and sore throats. Cilia, the small hair-like covering of the lungs, are burned and destroyed by marijuana smoke. Cilium helps move bacteria out of the lungs and protects the delicate tissue of the lungs from infection. Marijuana use increases heart rate up to 50%, can bring chest pain or stroke to people who experience a sporadic or poor supply of blood to the heart, and makes changes in the circulatory system. This is the part of the body that moves the blood and oxygen throughout the body. Marijuana can cause a drop in blood pressure causing headache, dizziness and faintness. Marijuana is stored in the fat cells of the body. Your brain is one-third fat cells. Marijuana can remain stored in the brain's fat cells for up to six weeks after usage. Marijuana usage widens the gap between nerve endings in the brain. This damages how your brain sends messages from one part to another. With extensive usage, chemical buildup will occur and this interferes with cell communication. Marijuana damages the production of protein in brain cells which is needed for the cells to survive. Because marijuana builds up in the fatty membranes of the body's cells, it affects the entire cellular process, including immunity to disease and illness. White blood cell formation is harmed due to marijuana smoking. THE BEST WAY TO AVOID THE DANGERS OF MARIJUANA IS TO SAY NO! 1996 Ragamuffin Movies Distributed by AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax info@agcunited.com

15 2 Name Date MARIJUANA: Why And How To Say "No" Marijuana Damages Your Mind Marijuana drastically heightens emotions and can make users feel out of control as their moods swing up and down. Marijuana can make people feel disconnected from others, disoriented, paranoid, or give them panic reactions. Marijuana lowers the ability to think, concentrate, remember, understand, and communicate. Marijuana smokers typically have slower brainwaves, which means that their minds work slower than those of non-users. Marijuana use often leads to lower grades in school, which can greatly limit a user s choices for future education and employment. Marijuana creates an apathetic I don t care attitude in users - they stop caring about the things that were once important to them. Marijuana takes users away from sports, hobbies, family, work, and other activities that help them grow wiser and stronger. THE BEST WAY TO AVOID THE DANGERS OF MARIJUANA IS TO SAY NO! 1996 Ragamuffin Movies Distributed by AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax info@agcunited.com

16 3 Name Date MARIJUANA: Why And How To Say "No" Peer Pressure Use the spaces provided below to provide examples of the following situations. 1. Name five ways someone might try to get you to try marijuana. For each one, write what you would say to refuse his or her offer. HE OR SHE SAYS: YOU SAY: HE OR SHE SAYS: YOU SAY: HE OR SHE SAYS: YOU SAY: HE OR SHE SAYS: YOU SAY: HE OR SHE SAYS: YOU SAY: 2. Why would someone want to get you to try marijuana? Do any of the reasons make sense to you? 3. Why is peer pressure sometimes difficult to resist? 1996 Ragamuffin Movies Distributed by AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

17 4 Name Date MARIJUANA: Why And How To Say "No" Alternative Fun Using the following list, circle the things that you enjoy: computers sports reading dancing art music family volunteering rollerblading writing animals babysitting drawing Add five more of your own enjoyable activities: 1996 Ragamuffin Movies Distributed by AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

18 5 Name Date MARIJUANA: Why And How To Say "No" Your Thoughts Please Read each statement given below. Take time to think about each statement. Select one of the statements and write a 50- to 100-word description of your thoughts. Use the space provided and the back of this sheet if necessary. 1. By saying "no" to drugs, you are saying "yes" to life. 2. Decide to say "no" to drugs ahead of time. 3. Marijuana users will respect you for saying "no" to marijuana. 4. Marijuana users are sometimes said to be living in a "fog" or a "cloud." 5. People who choose friends who use marijuana are more likely to use marijuana themselves Ragamuffin Movies Distributed by AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax info@agcunited.com

19 6 Name Date MARIJUANA: Why And How To Say "No" Vocabulary In the spaces provided below, define the following words or phrases. How is each affected by or involved with marijuana use? peer pressure: illegal: rebellion: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): perception: disorientation: addiction: memory: alternative: motivation: apathy: physical: psychological: career choice: goals: future: 1996 Ragamuffin Movies Distributed by AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL Fax

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