Daily Planet: Drug Interactions Teacher s Guide

Transcription

1 Daily Planet: Drug Interactions Grade Level: 6-12 Curriculum Focus: Life Science Lesson Duration: Four class periods Program What is Ecstasy? Takes a closer look at the Ecstasy used at raves and the actual contents of the drug. Ecstasy Two Examines the risk of overheating and dehydration for Ecstasy users. Ecstasy Three Explores the possibility that Ecstasy could lead to depression in heavy users. Learning Under the Influence: Alcohol Discusses how alcohol can interfere with memory. Crystal Method analyzes the health risks of crystal meth (methamphetamine). Discussion Questions What different health risks do common illegal drugs pose? How can scientific studies help to protect young people from risky drugs? How do different types of drugs affect the human body? Video Index Segment 1: What is Ecstasy? It was originally a tool for therapists, until a dealer gave it street credibility. Now, it s the drug of choice for most rave-goers. Sonya Buyting uncovers this underworld in the first of a three-part series. This time, do those little pills actually contain what kids think they're taking? Q: How can science help us to understand the possible dangers of drug use? Q: Ecstasy samples are usually made up of a mixture of drugs. Why is this dangerous? A: This kind of chemical cocktail can have unknown effects on the body.

2 Drug Interactions 2 Segment 2: Ecstasy Two It s a drug that makes rave-goers happy, but it makes drug authorities worried. One of Ecstasy s hidden dangers is its effect on body temperature. Sonya Buyting investigates scientists research into the risk of heatstroke and dehydration. Q: Why might it be dangerous for a drug to affect people s body temperatures? Q: What must people do to protect themselves against overheating and dehydration? A: Drinking a lot of water will help protect the body from overheating and dehydration. However, drinking sports drinks (or other drinks containing salt) is even better, because the body may need more sodium. Segment 3. Ecstasy Three In the final installment of Sonya Buyting s three-part series on Ecstasy, find out if the short-term effect of happiness has long-term health effects on the mind. Q: What kind of long-term side effects do you think a mood-altering drug might have? Q: What is the function of serotonin in the brain and why is this significant for heavy Ecstasy users? A: Serotonin acts as a chemical messenger in the brain. It helps to regulate body processes, including moods, emotions, and sleep. It is released from the axons (tips) of serotonin neurons, which can be damaged by heavy Ecstasy use. Heavy drug use might therefore cause long-term changes in serotonin production. This could possibly lead to problems, including depression. Segment 4: Learning Under the Influence: Alcohol College students have a reputation for working hard and playing hard too enjoying more than their share of alcohol. After watching this, students might think twice about indulging in their favorite alcoholic beverage Q: Why do you think REM sleep is important? Q: How does alcohol affect people s ability to remember information? A: Alcohol affects memory by interfering with or suppressing REM sleep. During REM sleep important processes take place in the brain, including the building of memories.

3 Drug Interactions 3 Segment 5: Crystal Method Crystal meth is a drug that s becoming hugely popular. Also called methamphetamine, it can be smoked in pipes or taken in pill form. Often an additive in Ecstasy tablets, it s in the clubs, and on the street. It s cheap, and it can be made from ingredients that are readily available. We ll find out just how dangerous the popular drug is and how it can kill. Q: How do you think stimulant drugs (such as crystal meth or methamphetamine) affect the human body? Q: What are two of the main health risks posed by the drug crystal meth (methamphetamine)? A: Cardiovascular problems caused by crystal meth can prove fatal. People fall victim to heart attacks crystal meth increases their blood pressure and their hearts have to work harder. Crystal meth may also cause brain damage. It depletes levels of dopamine an important neurotransmitter or chemical messenger in the brain. This depletion can cause cognitive difficulties (problems with thinking). Dopamine is important to thought processes and body movement. Lesson Plan Student Objectives Understand how different recreational drugs can affect the mind and body and the health risks they may pose Develop knowledge of human biology by studying the interactions of drugs with body processes Explore the connections between science and society, such as how scientific research can help to protect youth from the risks of substance abuse Develop skills important to successful scientific inquiry, such as research, investigation, communication, and collaboration Materials Drug Interactions video and VCR, DVD and DVD player, or CD-ROM and computer Computer(s) with Internet access (optional) Print resources about a variety of drugs Art materials for students to create posters (such as poster or chart paper, colored and white paper, magazines with pictures, markers, rulers, scissors, glue)

4 Drug Interactions 4 Procedures 1. Watch the Drug Interactions video segments (or any single segment) and discuss them with the class. Why do people take recreational drugs? What are some of the main health risks that these video segments describe? What do young people need to know about drugs in order to protect themselves? You might also ask students to take notes on video segments as they watch them, detailing the health risks associated with each drug. 2. Explain to the class that they are going to conduct some research into the health risks posed by recreational drugs. Students will work with partners, selecting a drug to research and investigating its effects on the body and mind. They will present their findings on an information poster. 3. Brainstorm a list of recreational drugs (legal and illegal) with the class. Students will choose their research topic from this list. Examples may include: Ecstasy / MDMA Alcohol Crystal Meth / Methamphetamine Cigarettes Cocaine Crack Heroin Inhalants Marijuana Acid / LSD PCP / Phencyclidine Steroids Ketamine Rohypnol GHB Magic Mushrooms 4. Explain to students how to conduct their research. They should focus on finding out how the drug affects the mind and body, but they will also need to provide some additional information. They should such questions as: What are the drug s short-term and long-term effects (mental and physical)? What are the health hazards for users? How risky is it? What other factors make this drug more/less dangerous (e.g. drinking water, using other drugs, driving under the influence)? What are this drug s scientific and common names? How is it used? Who uses it? Is it illegal? What is the most important thing you want other young people to know about this drug? 5. Provide students with print and/or Web resources and assist them in conducting their research. The following Web sites may provide useful information: National Institute on Drug Abuse

5 Drug Interactions 5 Drug Facts: Office of National Drug Control Policy Canada Health Portal The Partnership for a Drug-Free America What You Need to Know About Drugs: KidsHealth Drug Info: DanceSafe Health Risks: Commonly Abused Substances: Western Washington University Substance Abuse: Focus Adolescent Services 6. Give students materials to create an information poster based on their research. Students should be creative, including titles, facts, pictures, and lots of color. They might group their ideas into topic bubbles or use a diagram of the human body to explain a drug s effects. 7. Ask students to present their posters to the class, sharing their key points. Display the posters around the classroom or school. If time allows, invite another class to come and learn about drug-related health risks from your students. 8. After all of the presentations, conduct a final class discussion to find out what students learned. What surprised them? What did they already know? Do they have any remaining questions? What do they think scientists need to study next? Assessment Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students' work during this lesson. Vocabulary 3 points: Students were highly engaged in class and group discussions; contributed meaningfully to pair work; produced a clear and complete poster; and presented information effectively to classmates. 2 points: Students participated in class and group discussions; contributed somewhat to pair work; produced an adequate poster; and presented information adequately to classmates. 1 point: Students participated minimally in class and group discussions; contributed little to pair work; produced an incomplete poster; and presented information poorly to classmates. amphetamine Definition: A chemical that stimulates the nervous system Context: Amphetamines are drugs that were originally developed to treat conditions such as sleep disorders and asthma.

6 Drug Interactions 6 dehydration Definition: A dangerous condition in which the body lacks water Context: The drug Ecstasy can cause dehydration, so users drink a lot of water. drug Definition: A substance that affects the mind or body, sometimes given to treat a disease, or sometimes taken because it causes changes in behavior Context: Ecstasy and crystal meth are examples of illegal, risky drugs. neuron Definition: A type of cell that is part of the nervous system and that transmits nerve messages Context: Methamphetamine and other drugs can damage neurons. neurotransmitter Definition: A chemical that carries messages from nerve cells Context: Drug use can affect dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in the brain. tolerance Definition: The loss of a normal response to a drug, so that users must take increasing amounts to achieve the same effect Context: Ecstasy can be dangerous because users tolerance increases rapidly, leading them to take larger amounts. Academic Standards Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) McREL s Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education addresses 14 content areas. To view the standards and benchmarks, visit This lesson plan addresses the following national standards: Life Sciences: Understands the structure and function of cells and organisms National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences provides guidelines for teaching science in grades K-12 to promote scientific literacy. To view the standards, visit this Web site This lesson plan addresses the following national standards:

7 Drug Interactions 7 Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: (5-8) Personal health; Risks and benefits; (9-12) Personal and community health; Natural and human-induced hazards Support Materials Develop custom worksheets, educational puzzles, online quizzes, and more with the free teaching tools offered on the Discoveryschool.com Web site. Create and print support materials, or save them to a Custom Classroom account for future use. To learn more, visit