Emerging Drugs of Abuse

Gr 7 Up—Powerful, vivid, compelling, enlightening are words that come to mind when describing this video. Viewers are warned that it contains graphic scenes that might be shocking—and well they might. But they are far from gratuitous, reinforcing some of the emerging effects of newer drugs such as Spice/2K, bath salts, Molly, Oxidado, and others. The program alternates between a panel of four diverse teens who comment on the descriptions and effects of emerging drugs, scenes of the drugs being prepared or packages ready for sale under brand/street names, counselors working with teens, emergency room professionals who are on the front lines dealing with a new wave of victims, and several recovering teens who talk frankly about why they used drugs and how they felt. The combination is smooth, powerful and, if anything, understated. The honesty and emotion displayed by the recovering teens as they talk about the personal toll drug abuse has taken and what recovery meant to them is impressive. Their messages are accompanied by an excellent musical background. Viewers will come away with a heightened understanding of just what goes into these new drugs (gasoline, battery acid, paint thinner, etc.) and how difficult it is for medical professionals to treat overdoses when they aren't sure what drugs the victims took. An excellent addition to middle and high school libraries.—John Clark, Hartland Public Library, ME