Stoned at School

Gr 9 Up—Teenagers from a variety of ethnic groups speak to the camera about drug and alcohol use that they have observed at school. They discuss what they believe are the causes of teen drug use, such as problems with parents and a desire to be popular. They also explain how easy it is to purchase drugs at school and other places. The consequences of drug use are described, and the search for drugs in school is dramatically illustrated with dogs sniffing lockers and police car presence on campus. Other teens talk about relatives and friends whose lives have been permanently changed by incarceration because of drug use and abuse. An adult educator adds her comments about teens making choices that will give them a chance to develop a fulfilling life. A narrator's comments provide some continuity between teen statements, but the majority of the program focuses on teens talking about the problem. Since there is no expert testimony provided, the facts are presented only via observations and conjecture. Today's sophisticated students will probably need a more scientific approach.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA