FASTFORWARD #3461 OPEN-CAPTIONED AIMSMULTIMEDIA 1995 GradeLevels: 7-12 32minutes
DESCRIPTION Alex has a bright future as a top athlete and has plans for college. Unfortunately, he also likes to drink beer. On the way home from a party, a stranger magically appears and introduces himself as Alex of the future. He shows Alex the consequences alcohol will have on his life, as it shatters his hopes and dreams. Alex, scared sober, reevaluates his situation and begins anew. ACADEMIC STANDARDS Subject Area: Health Standard: Understands aspects of substance use and abuse Benchmark: Knows factors involved in the development of a drug dependency and the early, observable signs and symptoms (e.g., tolerance level, drug-seeking behavior, loss of control, denial) (See Instructional Goals #1 and #3) Benchmark: Knows the short- and long-term consequences of the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (e.g., physical consequences such as shortness of breath, cirrhosis, lung cancer, emphysema, psychological consequences such as low self-esteem, paranoia, depression, apathy, social consequences such as crime, domestic violence, loss of friends) (See Instructional Goals #1, #2, #3, and #4) Benchmark: Understands that alcohol, tobacco, and other drug dependencies are treatable diseases/conditions (See Instructional Goal #4) INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS 1. To dramatize how even teenage social drinking can lead to serious lifelong problems. 2. To demonstrate the impact a teenager s behavior and lifestyle choices can have on his or her future. 3. To create an understanding of how the insidious power of alcoholism can invade and destroy all aspects of a person s life. 4. To encourage viewers to examine their own choices and behaviors and think about the rewards and consequences that might result, far into the future. VOCABULARY 1. let s split 2. take off 3. score some brew 4. losing it 5. cut me to the quick 6. ultimatum 7. hallucinate 8. unwind 9. hangover 10. drink... under the table 1
11. hollow leg 12. three sheets to the wind 13. hold my liquor 14. booze 15. had a hold on me BEFORE SHOWING 1. Discuss the definition of alcoholism. a. When does a social drinker become an alcoholic? b. What factors put people at risk of becoming an alcoholic? c. How can alcoholism develop after several years of drinking, or begin with just one drink? d. How can alcoholism be treated effectively? 2. Research the cumulative effects of alcohol on the human body. 3. State personal long-term goals. List the necessary steps to achieve the goals. 4. Discuss how long-term consequences may occur as the result of actions or decisions made in the present. List examples. 5. Introduce the video s concept of Alex s looking into his future. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of knowing one s own future. 6. Draw an open door. Draw a picture predicting one s future to add inside the door. DURING SHOWING Discussion Items and Questions 1. View the video more than once, with one showing uninterrupted. 2. Pause after Alex says, I m hallucinating. Clarify that the older man is Alex of the future, Old Alex. 3. Pause after Old Alex says, You really want to know what s going to happen? Forward march. Clarify that the two are going to see Alex s future. Predict what may happen. 4. Pause after Old Alex says, My name is Al and I m an alcoholic. Clarify that he is at an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting. AFTER SHOWING Discussion Items and Questions 1. Was Ashley overreacting when she refused to ride home in Alex s car after he drank one beer? Why or why not? 2. Evaluate Ashley s self-esteem. 3. How did Alex s home life encourage his casual attitude about drinking alcohol? 4. What were some of the reasons Alex used to deny he had a drinking problem? 5. How could Alex continue to function well at playing tennis and completing schoolwork if he had a drinking problem? 6. List some of the choices in life Alex lost because of his drinking. 7. What bad choices did Alex make? What influenced these choices? 8. How did alcoholism cause Alex s mother s death? 9. List the occurrences of Alex using alcohol to dull his pain, soothe his nerves, or take his edge off. 10. Explain whether Alcoholics Anonymous provided a fast and easy cure for the older Alex. 11. Why would it be easier for Alex as a teenager to quit drinking than for an older Alex to quit drinking? 2
12. Why did Alex tell Ashley he knew he needed help to stop drinking? Why couldn t he quit on his own? 13. Explain how Ashley s actions helped Alex face his problem. 14. What might have happened if Ashley had remained silent? 15. Where could Alex find help to stop drinking? 16. How could Alex help his mother? Applications and Activities 1. Rewrite the story of Alex s adult life, after he tells Ashley he plans to seek help. 2. Write an imaginary autobiography from the present time until 25 years from now. Include consequences of early decisions and actions. 3. Invite a guest speaker from an addiction rehabilitation center to discuss treatment options. 4. Research the various stages of alcoholism and the symptoms of each stage. 5. Invite a representative from Alcoholics Anonymous to describe the Twelve Step program. 6. Attend an open Alateen meeting. 7. List famous people who have struggled with addiction. Research their stories. 8. Invite a panel of recovering alcoholics to share their experiences. 9. List ways for teenagers to have fun without alcohol. 10. Plan an alcohol-free party to celebrate freedom from addictions. 11. Create and display posters encouraging sobriety. 12. Invite a police officer to explain laws related to the use of alcohol. 13. Invite a member of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) to speak about the consequences of drunk driving. 14. Debate the issue of parents who allow teenagers to drink at home. 15. Invite a convicted drunk driver to share the emotional and personal costs of making poor choices. 16. List effective refusal skills. Role-play refusal of alcohol in a variety of situations. 17. Sponsor a contest for creating a new, nonalcoholic drink. Name the drinks. 18. Make a pamphlet listing available resources in the local community for alcohol-related issues. 19. Enlist the aid of a makeup artist to portray members of the class as they might look years from now if they make lifestyle choices such as: a. drinking alcohol over a long period of time. b. smoking for a long period of time. c. sunbathing frequently over a long period of time. 20. Consult with a prevention specialist to sponsor school-related alcohol-prevention activities throughout the year. RELATED RESOURCES Captioned Media Program Addiction and the Family #7678 Alcoholics Anonymous: Vol. 1 #8024 Alcoholics Anonymous: Vol. 2 #8025 Alcoholics Anonymous: Vol. 3 #8026 Alcoholics Anonymous: Vol. 4 #8027 Alcoholics Anonymo us: Vol. 5 #8028 Alcoholism in the Family #7673 All the Kids Do It #2151 3
Friday Night: Five #2066 Maggie s Secret #2624 Thinking About Drinking #3187 World Wide Web The following Web sites complement the contents of this guide; they were selected by professionals who have experience in teaching deaf and hard of hearing students. Every effort was made to select accurate, educationally relevant, and kid-safe sites. However, teachers should preview them before use. The U.S. Department of Education, the National Association of the Deaf, and the Captioned Media Program do not endorse the sites and are not responsible for their content. THE HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER FOR ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG PREVENTION http://www2.edc.org/hec/track/list.asp Features learning opportunities, publications, grant information and a comprehensive prevention and public education hot list. AA AND AL-ANON http://www.soberspace.com/region.htm AA and Al-Anon meetings listed for the nation with addresses, contacts, and other resource information. BOOZE NEWS http://www.cspinet.org/booze/index.html The Center of Science in the Public Interest created this listing of alcohol-related links and organizations. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOLISM http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/ Comprehensive site by the National Institute of Health, providing information about alcohol-related publications, databases, research programs, conference and events, and other resources. 4