Target Students This resource pack is designed for students of a Band 2 secondary school for girls. The majority of the students learn their school subjects in Chinese and so their exposure to English is mainly confined to the subject itself. The materials designed in this resource pack will be used for teaching the Elective Module Learning English Through Social Issues in Secondary 5. The problem of teenage drug abuse is selected for teaching since the sharp rise in the number of youth drug addicts has caused wide public concern. It is believed that students have preliminary understanding of the topic as a string of drug abuse cases involving teenagers have dominated the media headlines. Students will also be likely to show interest in the lessons since they can make use of the ideas from the anti-drug activities that have been conducted at school to complete their tasks. Objectives After accomplishing the tasks, students are expected to be able to: define drug abuse name several types of drugs commonly addicted by teenagers and their harmful effects examine and present the causes and effects of drug abuse plan events or activities that can be held in school to educate students about the dangers of drug abuse present solutions to address the problem of drug abuse through writing an article for the school newspaper or designing a leaflet. Previous Knowledge/Skills Students have learnt how to define a social issue; talk about the causes and effects of a social problem and discuss possible solutions from the introductory units of this elective module and their English lessons. Such skills can be reinforced while students are working on the tasks for this topic. Resources websites for video clips and information about drug abuse newspaper articles worksheets Number of Lessons Allocated 10
Procedures Steps 1. Introduction (a) Teacher shows the TV advert Say No to Drugs to arouse students interest in the topic. Worksheet/Supplementar y Readings/Tasks Worksheet 1 How much do you know about drug abuse? Language/Skills Focus Looking for relevant information Defining a social issue No. of Lessons 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob5gvoywsjm&feature=related (b) Teacher gives out a short quiz to test students awareness of drug abuse (Worksheet 1). (c) At the end of the lesson, students are instructed to visit the website of Narcotics Division, Security Bureau http://www.nd.gov.hk/en/druginfo.htm to look for the definition of drug abuse and complete Worksheet 2. 2. Definition of Drug Abuse (a) Teacher goes through Worksheet 2 with students. (b) Students read newspaper article Sharp rise in drug abuse by teenage girls (Worksheet 3) and get information about how serious the drug problem is among teenagers. (c) At the end of the lesson, students are assigned to visit the website of Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (http://www.nd.gov.hk/en/druginfo.htm) to look for information about some popular types of drugs addicted and complete Worksheet 4. Worksheet 2 Definition of Drug Abuse Worksheet 2 Definition of Drug Abuse Worksheet 3 Is drug addiction among teenagers getting more common in Hong Kong? Worksheet 4 Common Party Drugs in Hong Kong Defining a social issue by using appropriate expressions (e.g. Drug abuse is defined as ) recognizing its importance through the use of figures and statistics describing its broad impact and the level of emotion that is generated 1
3. Common Party Drugs in Hong Kong Worksheet 4 Setting more background 1 (a) Teacher discusses Worksheet 4 with students to give them some Common Party Drugs in information about a social ideas about some popular types of drugs taken by teenagers. Hong Kong problem (b) Teacher asks students to think about how teenagers can get hold of (e.g. The most popular types drugs and complete Worksheet 5. Worksheet 5 of party drugs include Youngsters head north to Ketamine and Ecstasy.) escape HK s drug crackdown 4. Identifying the Causes of Youth Drug Abuse Worksheet 6 Presenting the causes of a 2 Students read about the case of a previous teen addict (Worksheet 6) Bad forces triggered social problem by and discuss other possible causes of youth drug abuse (Worksheet 7). addiction assessing the magnitude of each cause Worksheet 7 using appropriate Causes of Youth Drug Abuse expressions (Mind Map) e.g. is the result of // is the main cause. 5. Identifying the Effects of Youth Drug Abuse Worksheet 8 Identifying and presenting 2 (a) Teacher shows students a TV advert about how Ketamine damages Singer s dad sorry for drug the consequences of a social the bladder of a former drug addict and the inconvenience created to run-in problem by the addict in taking long bus trips to get students to think about the categorizing and problems of drug addiction on health Supplementary Reading evaluating the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meugzy4olse&feature=related Young increasing risk by seriousness of an (b) Students read Singer s dad sorry for drug run-in (Worksheet 8) mixing their party drugs effect/consequence and Supplementary Reading and discuss other possible based on its magnitude consequences of drug addiction with their classmates before (i.e. whether the effect is
completing Worksheet 9. Worksheet 9 Drugs harm you, your family and Society 6. Exploring and Evaluating Practical and Effective Solutions Worksheet 10 (a) Students read Social workers slam lack of help for drug offenders Social workers slam lack of and think about possible ways to address the youth drug problem. help for drug offenders Worksheet 11 Solutions to Youth Drug Abuse on a global, societal, or personal level), how directly it affects people, how long the consequence/effect will last, how it will cost us financially, socially, etc.) using appropriate expressions e.g. One of the effects is bring about (effect) trigger Presenting solutions to a social problem by categorising solutions (long- term/short-term; at community/family/ personal level; preventive/rehabilitation solutions) using appropriate expressions e.g. One answer to the problem is // 2
7. Speaking Students have a group discussion to plan events/activities that can be organized to teach students about the danger of drug addiction based on their understanding of the youth drug problem gained in Steps 1-6. 8. Writing (a) Write an article for the school newspaper about the problem of youth drug abuse and suggest possible measures that can be taken to address the problem. (for brighter students) (b) Design a leaflet telling what young people themselves, their families and the community can do to tackle the growing drug abuse problem. To stop the situation from worsening, we should // It is high time Worksheet 12 Making Suggestions Making & Explaining a choice Discussing pros and cons of a proposal Worksheet 13 Skills reviewed in Steps 1-6 Worksheet 14 1
Youth Drug Abuse
Worksheet 1 How much do you know about drug abuse? Answer the following questions about drug abuse. Write T if you think the statement is correct and F if you think it is not correct. 1. When people talk about drug abuse, they refer to the continued use of illegal drugs. 2. Psychotropic substances such as Ecstasy are safer than other drugs. 3. Drugs increase creativity. 4. Possession of small quantities of illegal drugs is against the law. 5. Party drugs like Ketamine can cure diseases and relieve pain. 6. Drug addiction leads to a lower crime rate.
Worksheet 2 What is drug abuse? Visit the website of Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (http://www.nd.gov.hk/en/druginfo.htm) and fill in the missing words. What is Drug Abuse? Drug abuse refers to the taking of (1) without following (2) or (3), or the indiscreet use of (4) drugs for (5) purposes.
Worksheet 3 Is drug addiction among teenagers getting more common in Hong Kong? A. Study the following newspaper article about the teenage drug problem in Hong Kong. Source: South China Morning Post (9-9-2009)
B. Fill in the blanks with the correct information taken from the newspaper article. 1. The number of drug abuse cases involving teenage girls has sharply in recent years. 2. According to the Narcotics Bureau, in the first seven months of 2009, youngsters aged 16 to 20 were arrested for serious drugs offences. This was an increase of % compared with the same period last year. 3. More teenage girls under the age of sought help for the first time for drug problems in the first six months of 2009.
Worksheet 4 Common Party Drugs in Hong Kong Visit the website of Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (http://www.nd.gov.hk/en/druginfo.htm) and look for information about some popular types of party drugs taken by teenagers. Complete the table below. Ketamine Street Name: Effects and danger: Depression Impaired long-term Respiratory/ problems
MDMA Street Name:, E Effects and danger: May lead to and exhaustion Cause sudden from respiratory failure (sleeping problems) Cough Medicine Street Name:, DXM Effects and danger: loss and damage problems and reduced rate drug-induced disorders
Methylamphetamine Street Name: Ice Effects and danger: Inability to & hallucination Panic, and anxiety Nutritional disorder due to reduced Cannibas Street Name: Grass, Effects and danger: reduced & impaired inability to, especially when standing
Worksheet 5 How do teenagers obtain drugs? Read the following newspaper article and fill in the missing words with the right form of the word given in brackets. The first one has been done for you as an example. Youngsters head north to escape HK s drug crackdown Cheaper nightlife also lures teenagers across border, say social workers More than 4,000 Hong Kong teenagers (1) e.g. regularly (regular) visit Guangdong cities to take drugs, say social workers who are calling for cross border (2) (cooperate) to crack down on the growing trend. The social workers were speaking after the release on Monday of 120 young Hong Kong people who (3) (detention) in Shenzhen for 15 days for abusing drugs. Taking drugs in the north has become more and more common. It has become a bigger trend and a youth culture, said Paul Lo Po-sing, team leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church s North District youth outreach team. Mr. Lo said the 24-hour opening (4) (introduction) at the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang checkpoint in 2003 had been a factor in the increase. The trend had become more common over the past several years compared with 2000, the year the group began monitoring the
problem. Other social workers said there had been a surge since July after police raids in Hong Kong that followed the death of a 13-year-old girl of drug abuse in a Mong Kok disco. Mr. Lo said many young people who abused drugs lived in Sheung Shui, Fanling, Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Muen and Yuen Long because they were close to the border. He said that Shenzhen s cheaper drug prices, lower entrance fees at more (5) (space) discos, more entertainment and the lure of prostitution were close to the border. Lee Tak-wai, team leader of the Yau Tsim Mong youth outreach of the Playground Association, said increased police crackdown in Hong Kong discos had led many youths to go to Shenzhen to take drugs. A Hong Kong Council of Social Service survey released earlier last year showed that 39 per cent of 1,200 drug abusers said they took drugs on the mainland. CROSSING THE LINE Each weekend and public holiday, as many as 200 teenage abusers cross the border to take drugs. 41 per cent of teens interviewed in 2003 said they would increase their mainland trips after the border was opened 24 hours A packet of ketamine costs HK$80 to HK$100 in Hong Kong; in Shenzhen it s HK$40 to HK$50. An Ecstasy pill costs HK$60 to HK$80 in Hong Kong; in Shenzhen it is as low as HK$50. Source: South China Morning Post (3-1-2007)
Worksheet 6 Why do teenagers take drugs? There are many reasons that drive teenagers to drugs. Read the following newspaper article and try to come up with some reasons for drug addiction by discussing with your classmates Source: South China Morning Post
Worksheet 7 Why do teenagers take drugs? influence from peers peer pressure curiosity school work Youth Drugs Abuse escaping from reality
Worksheet 8 What are the consequences of drug addiction? Source: South China Morning Post (6-3-2009)
1. Why were pop singers Jill Vidal and Kelvin Kwan Chor-yiu arrested in Japan? 2. Did this incident have a negative impact on Jill Vidal s career? Why? 3. How did Jill Vidal s father feel?
Supplementary Reading Source: South China Morning Post (8-11-2004)
Worksheet 9 Drugs Harm You, Your Family and Society Physical Health Problems Continued use of party drugs can have severe effects on health. e.g. ice Ketamine Dependence Drug users are often found to be both physically and psychologically dependent on drugs. Physical dependence body can t function normally with it Psychological dependence Personal Level Mental Health Problems Mental In the Health long Problems term, users of drugs may In the suffer long term, from users personality of drugs disorder, may suffer depression from personality. disorder, depression. Dangers of using mixed drugs (refer to supplementary reading) Many drug users are not aware that the drugs they bought had been mixed with other substances. Effects:
Worksheet 9 Drugs Harm You, Your Family and Society Drug User s Family put family in crisis Family & Social Level Violence and Crime Drugs users may resort to crime because Some drug users were arrested and jailed for possessing illegal drugs Government provide rehabilitation & treatment for drug addicts Economic Level Medical System Drug addiction puts burden on the medical and health care system
Worksheet 10 Exploring Possible Solutions to Drug Addiction Source: South China Morning Post (7-8-2006)
1. According to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, what would be the most effective way to help young drug offenders give up their drug habit? 2. What are the advantages of providing compulsory counselling for drug offenders?
Worksheet 11 Solutions to Youth Drug Addiction Public Education Education School Education Preventive Measures on Preventive Measures Youth Drug Abuse i Rehabilitation Medical Treatment training for parents or teacher to spot teenagers vulnerable to peer pressure police increase patrol of discos/bars Opportunity to start new life drug-testing scheme Counselling
Worksheet 12 You have read the following article: Source: Exam Papers of 2008 HKAL Use of English (Section D) Your principal is keen to set up some anti-drug initiatives in your school to educate junior form students about the dangers of drug abuse. She has asked your group to help organise some events to be held in school. You are now meeting to discuss suitable activities/programmes that can be organised to promote the anti-drug messages. You may want to talk about: why teenagers take drugs problems that can be caused by drug addiction activities/programmes that can be organised at school to educate lower form students about the dangers of drug abuse and how they can be implemented anything else you think is important Preparation Time: 10 minutes Discussion: 8 minutes
Worksheet 13 Recent statistics show that the number of young drug addicts is continuously on the rise. This suggests that the problem of drug abuse among teenagers has been growing at an alarming rate. Write an article to the school newspaper to discuss the causes of teenage drug addiction and its consequences. Suggest measures that can be taken to address the problem. Give your article a title.
Worksheet 14 You are going to join an anti-drug leaflet competition. The leaflet is about what young people themselves, their families and the community can do to tackle the growing drug abuse problem. Design the leaflet.
Worksheet 1 How much do you know about drug abuse? Answer the following questions about drug abuse. Write T if you think the statement is correct and F if you think it is not correct. 1. When people talk about drug abuse, they refer to the continued use of illegal drugs. T 2. Psychotropic substances such as Ecstasy are safer than other drugs. F 3. Drugs increase creativity. F 4. Possession of small quantities of illegal drugs is against the law. T 5. Party drugs like Ketamine can cure diseases and relieve pain. F 6. Drug addiction leads to a lower crime rate. F
Worksheet 2 What is drug abuse? Visit the website of Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (http://www.nd.gov.hk/en/druginfo.htm) and fill in the missing words. What is Drug Abuse? Drug abuse refers to the taking of (1) drug without following (2) medical advice_ or (3) prescription, or the indiscreet use of (4) dangerous drugs for (5) non-treatment purposes.
Worksheet 3 1. The number of drug abuse cases involving teenage girls has increased sharply in recent years. 2. According to the Narcotics Bureau, in the first seven months of 2009, 730 youngsters aged 16 to 20 were arrested for serious drugs offences. This was an increase of 10.4% compared with the same period last year. 3. More teenage girls under the age of 21 sought help for the first time for drug problems in the first six months of 2009.
Worksheet 4 Common Party Drugs in Hong Kong Visit the website of Narcotics Division, Security Bureau (http://www.nd.gov.hk/en/druginfo.htm) and look for information about some popular types of party drugs taken by teenagers. Complete the table below. Ketamine Street Name: Special K / K Effects and danger: Depression Impaired long-term memory Hallucination/Slurred speech/drowsiness Respiratory/heart problems
MDMA Street Name:Ecstasy, E Effects and danger: May lead to dehydration and exhaustion Cause sudden death from respiratory failure Insomnia (sleeping problems) Cough Medicine Street Name:Robo, DXM Effects and danger: memory loss and brain damage heart problems and reduced breathing rate drug-induced mental disorders
Methylamphetamine Street Name: Ice Effects and danger: Inability to sleep & hallucination Panic, confusion and anxiety Nutritional disorder due to reduced appetite Cannibas Street Name: Grass, Marijuana Effects and danger: reduced concentration & impaired memory inability to balance, especially when standing confusion/anxiety ( + other possible answers)
Worksheet 5 Youngsters head north to escape HK s drug crackdown Cheaper nightlife also lures teenagers across border, say social workers More than 4,000 Hong Kong teenagers (1) e.g. regularly (regular) visit Guangdong cities to take drugs, say social workers who are calling for cross border (2) co-operation (cooperate) to crack down on the growing trend. The social workers were speaking after the release on Monday of 120 young Hong Kong people who (3) were detained (detention) in Shenzhen for 15 days for abusing drugs. Taking drugs in the north has become more and more common. It has become a bigger trend and a youth culture, said Paul Lo Po-sing, team leader of the Evangelical Lutheran Church s North District youth outreach team. Mr. Lo said the 24-hour opening (4) introduced (introduction) at the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang checkpoint in 2003 had been a factor in the increase. The trend had become more common over the past several years compared with 2000, the year the group began monitoring the problem. Other social workers said there had been a surge since July after police raids in Hong Kong that followed the death of a 13-year-old girl of drug abuse in a Mong Kok disco. Mr. Lo said many young people who abused drugs lived in Sheung Shui, Fanling, Tin Shui Wai, Tuen Muen and Yuen Long because they were close to the border. He said that Shenzhen s cheaper drug prices, lower entrance fees at more (5) spacious (space) discos, more entertainment and the lure of prostitution were close to the border. Lee Tak-wai, team leader of the Yau Tsim Mong youth outreach
of the Playground Association, said increased police crackdown in Hong Kong discos had led many youths to go to Shenzhen to take drugs. A Hong Kong Council of Social Service survey released earlier last year showed that 39 per cent of 1,200 drug abusers said they took drugs on the mainland.
Worksheet 8 1. Why were pop singers Jill Vidal and Kelvin Kwan Chor-yiu arrested in Japan? They were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting and drug possession. 2. Did this incident have a negative impact on Jill Vidal s career? Why? This incident had a negative impact on Jill Vidal s career because her showbiz career would be suspended for a fairly long time and if she were convicted, her contract with the record company would be terminated immediately. 3. How did Jill Vidal s father feel? He was very upset and felt sorry for not being able to provide a healthy family for Jill Vidal and her sister.
Worksheet 10 1. According to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, what would be the most effective way to help young drug offenders give up their drug habit? The Hong Kong Council of Social Service believed that mandatory counselling for young drug offenders would be the most effective way to help them give up their drug habit. 2. What are the advantages of providing compulsory counselling for drug offenders? During the counselling, drug offenders problems would be discussed and the counsellor would help them change their values. Drug offenders would be told about the possible damage to the brain caused by their drug habit and they would be encouraged to quit through a motivation programme.