All You Need to Know About Drugs and the Teen Brain in 17 Minutes

Gr 5–9—In this brief program, two teen narrators discuss the effects of alcohol, marijuana, and Ecstasy on the brain. It begins with a good overview of brain regions and functions using well-produced animated graphics. Doctors explain the long-term effects of drugs on memory and decision making and their short-term effects on coordination and judgment. Multicultural teens are shown throughout the program. The point is made constantly that the adolescent brain is still developing. Since the content is focused on the negative effects of drugs on the brain, the program could have benefited from suggestions of positive stimulants other than exercise. The producers have done an excellent job of introducing and explaining new terms and reiterating important topics. Viewers are taken to a research lab to learn more about the brain's anatomy and the damage caused by drugs. The audio levels of the narrators vary, but this does not affect the information presented. The DVD has a helpful chapter menu and a teacher's resource guide with information in PDF format.—C.A. Fehmel, St. Louis County Library, MO