High on Painkillers: An Overdose Epidemic

Gr 7 Up—A group of teens recovering from prescription drug addiction and a group of healthy teens share their experiences with and thoughts about the abuse of prescription drugs such as oxycodone, vicodin, and methadone. A drug counselor, a physician, a retired police detective, and a criminology instructor discuss the increase in the use of these opiate pain relievers and their affects on the brain. Students will learn that all narcotics come from the poppy flower and that these are being modified in a lab to become synthetic opioids such as oxycontin which block pain messages to the brain and quickly become addictive. The process of becoming addicted and the symptoms of withdrawal are described. Teens explain how their physical and emotional turmoil and addictive behaviors have hurt their families and others, and encourage prescription drug abusers to get help from someone they trust. The teacher's guide includes a program summary, learning objectives, pre- and post-tests, and performance indicators of the National Health Standards for grades 6–8 and 9–12 that are met via this program. This impressive film presents an important message for teens.—Sheila Acosta, San Antonio Pubic Library, TX