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InFocus: A Clear Message About Drugs

NCJ Number
227627
Date Published
2004
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This interactive educational tool was created to educate youth, parents, and others who seek to reduce drug related injury, illness, and death, and emphasizes the dangers of drugs and their effects, heightening awareness of drug victimization, drug abuse indicators, and the drug culture.
Abstract
The goals of this educational CD-ROM, supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) are to provide youth, parents, educators, and others with information on (1) the physical and psychological effects of the most commonly used drugs and poly-drug use on the body, (2) the dangers of marijuana, (3) the drug normalization and desensitization by the drug culture, (4) the common theories, perceptions, and misconceptions about so-called safe drug use and alcohol-free raves, (5) effective communication with youth about drugs and positive efforts adults can initiate to decrease potential drug use, (6) achievable goals to facilitate good choices and focus on a productive drug-free lifestyle, (7) the encouragement of drug use by today's culture, (8) the warning signs of drug abuse, and (9) the long-term societal effects of drug abuse. The CD-ROM is divided into six sections: (1) It Could Happen to You - 10 scenarios involving drugs with potential response alternatives; (2) What's Out There - exploring a dozen deadly illicit drugs and their effects, the dangers of poly drug use, and the seduction of today's youth by the drug culture, i.e., raves; (3) Feed Your Head - empowering oneself to be an individual and reject the drug culture; (4) Preventative Maintenance - warning signs of drug abuse, how to talk to your kids about drugs, health alternatives, dangers in disguise (i.e., pipes, bongs, rolling paper, pacifier); (5) Reality Check - unveiling the mystery surrounding medical marijuana, harm reduction, and the legalization movement; and (6) Pulling it All Together - armed with practical knowledge, avoid pitfalls and make healthy decisions. Throughout the CD-ROM, pop-up facts are provided.