Drug Awareness Projects
Project Synopsis:
• During this drug prevention unit, you will have the opportunity to research topics that are
interesting to you regarding drug awareness and substance abuse. You will also have
some options regarding the medium in which you share your learned knowledge with the
teacher and/or class. (G)=group project
• Use this time to locate anti-drug sources and fact-based information. Remember that this
is not a promotion of drug use and the emphasis is on drug prevention.
• To earn an A, you must complete 300 points worth of projects, with 100 points worth of
projects completed per week.
• You can do 2 of the same project type as long as you research different topics
(example=PowerPoint on GHB, bookmark on Ketamine, poster on Rohypnol, etc.)
• PowerPoint, bookmark, & teacher for the day topics must be claimed to allow for different
information being covered for the class (see Mrs. Garrison for the sign-up sheet)
Grade Information:
A = 300 points
B =250 points
C = 225 points
D =200 points
Due Dates:
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•
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You are allowed to turn projects in early 
In order for a project to be considered on-time they must be submitted to Mrs. Garrison’s
hand in class or to Mrs. Garrison’s email: [email protected] by 11:59pm on the
10/30, 11/6, & 11/13
Only during Week #1 are you allowed to turn-in more than 100 points to get ahead.
The class late work policy is the same (-25% for week late), but if you are turning in late
work and on-time work, you must specify
Week #1Friday, October 30, 2009 (100 points due)
Week #2Friday, November 6, 2009 (100 points due)
Week #3Friday, November 13, 2009 (100 points due)
Research Time (10 days):
Monday, October 26, 2009 (meet in Portable 8, then go to hall 3 computer lab)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 (meet @ hall 3 computer lab)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 (meet @ hall 3 computer lab)—NO WORLD NEWS WEDNESDAY
Thursday, October 29, 2009 (meet @ hall 3 computer lab)
Friday, October 30, 2009 (meet @ hall 3 computer lab)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 (meet @ hall 3 computer lab)
Friday, November 6, 2009 (meet @ hall 3 computer lab)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 (meet @ hall 3 computer lab)
Thursday, November 12, 2009 (meet @ hall 3 computer lab)
Friday, November 13, 2009 (meet @ hall 3 computer lab)
Point Conversions:
4 25-point projects
2 25-point projects + 1 50 point project
2 50-point projects
1 100-point project
Extra Credit
*One 25-point project can be
completed in addition to the
300 points for a total of
325/300 points.
*If students are submitting all
100 points per week, this 25
point project can be submitted
the during week #3
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References:
• I know it’s easy to do, but don’t copy and paste. Put the information in your own words or
quote it and cite it!
• According to the American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern Language
Association (MLA), any ideas, content, images, etc. that do not belong to you, must be
properly documented or credited.
For APA format help go tohttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
For MLA format help go tohttp://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
• All projects must be fact-based, thus all projects should include a list of any references
that were utilized for the project in your choice of MLA or APA format (except for
• Numbered statistics should be quoted and the source should be listed accordingly
• Plesae note that the Olympia High School cheating policy will be strictly enforced
• You can submit one list of all of your resources/references/citations at the end of each
week, just specificy which items were used in conjunction with each project.
Resources:
• Please make sure you’re using anti-drug websites, books, etc.
• All projects must include a reference list or works cited page
• Missing resources will receive a 10 point deduction from each project
• Some great reference examples include:
www.theantidrug.com/
www.abovetheinfluence.com/
http://www.justthinktwice.com/
http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDAHome.html
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/index.htm
http://www.teendrugabuse.us/index.html
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/streetterms/
DO NOT USE
http://www.wikipedia.org/ (not always accurate)STOP USING WIKIPEDIA!!!
http://www.erowid.org/ (promotes drug use)
Drug Project Ideas by Point Value
25 points
Board Game
Create a board game that deals with fact-based information from any drug related topic (i.e.
hallucinogens, alcoholism, date rape drugs, etc.). The game board could be modeled after games
like Sorry, Life, Candyland, etc. Don’t forget to name the game. The game board, any cards
and/or game pieces, and instructions must be included. Don’t forget to be neat, colorful, &
organized. We can play games in class if enough students turn in this project.
Bookmark
Create a bookmark using the computer that includes at least ten facts related to a specific drug.
Remember that this is an anti-drug project. The bookmark must be neat and colorful and include
the drug name. Minimum size=2x6 inches. Make 26 copies one for each person in the class, plus
Mrs. Garrison.
Comic Strip
Create your own comic strip dealing with a drug message. There should be a minimum of 15
frames with at least five underlined facts. Write a paragraph on what message you are trying
to convey. It can be black and white, but it must be neat and legible.
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Movie
With parental consent/permission, watch a movie related to substance abuse. Traffic (4
perspectives of the drug world) & Requiem For a Dream (heroin & diet pills) are Mrs.
Garrison’s top picks, but they are rated “R.” Unfortunately, most of the substance abuse movies
are rated “R” due to behaviors that can be related to drug use: graphic language, violence, sexual
activity, etc. Other movie ideas include, but are not limited to: When a Man Loves a Woman
(alcoholism), Ray (heroin), Walk the Line (misc. drugs), Thirteen (inhalants, alcohol, marijuana).
Do not pick a movie that promotes drug use. Please follow the main character’s substance
abuse pathway. Please type a response to the questions or statements below (12 point, Times
New Roman, 1.5 spacing). Don’t forget to include the title of the movie. Put the number,
questions, and answer onto your response.
1. What drug(s) is/are abused in the movie?
2. How/why did the drug use start? Explain as it relates to the main character.
3. Explain the addiction process: dependence, addiction, and withdrawal? Explain for each
if they were present in the movie.
(continued on the next page)
4. Explain the short-term and long-term health consequences for the character with
examples from the movie.
5. Explain the legal consequences for the character with examples from the movie.
6. Explain the social consequences with examples from the movie.
7. Overall, what happened to the person as a result of their drug use? Did they get help? Did
the person learn their lesson or was it too late?
8. What did you learn from the movie and/or the character's substance abuse? Explain with
examples from the movie.
Poem
Write a poem dealing with substance abuse, addiction, or other topics related to the drug unit. A
minimum of 40 lines is required (just short of one full page Word document). The final draft
should be typed or written neatly in pen and mounted with a visual illustration, collage,
drawing, photograph, etc. to compliment the poem’s theme.
Radio Advertisement
Create a 60-second radio commercial for teenagers about the myths and truths surrounding a
specific drug. You must have 5 myths and 5 truths. Tape it and turn it in with script and a
paragraph (5 sentences minimum) on what you learned.
Song Lyrics
Choose a song where the lyrics involve drug use/abuse or non-use. Type a minimum onepage (12 point, Times New Roman font, 1.5 spacing) analysis of the words and attitudes
towards drugs expressed in the song. Please interpret the lyrics, and include what message the
artist is trying to convey. What audience is the artist going to attract? Do you like the song more
or less now that you know what the words mean? Explain . . .
Don’t forget to include a copy of the lyrics.
50 points
Children’s Book
Write and illustrate a children’s book with an anti-drug message. It must include at least two
characters with names, at least one drug topic, illustrations on every page, and it should include at
least 10 pages of story content. Don’t forget to title the story and create a binding for the book.
Fact Sheet
Design a public service sobriety resource fact sheet, newsletter, or brochure (must be
typed/word processed). List common signs of drug abuse. Explain the difference between social
use, dependence, and addiction. Include resources where teenagers with a drug problem can turn
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for help. Explain the types of help drug dependent or addicted teens can receive in the Puget
Sound Area. Don’t forget to include a list of local resources (facilities). Be neat, colorful, &
organized—make sure it looks like a final draft!
How it Works
Create a “How it Works” poster that describes, in words and in illustrations how a specific drug
affects the central nervous system or other systems in the human body. It should be neat and
colorful. Don’t forget to include short-term and long-term effects. The size should be a standard
poster-board size of 22x28 inches. Write a paragraph (5 sentences minimum) on what you
learned.
Kicking the Habit
Gather basic facts about tobacco addiction, including the ingredients of cigarette, chew, or snuff
physical effects, tobacco advertising, and how to quit. Use your understanding of these facts to
compose a letter to someone you love, asking them to quit smoking or chewing. Letters will
present arguments based on facts. Minimum one-page letter (12 point, Times New Roman
font 1.5 spacing). Attach the research facts to letter.
Poster
Create a poster that is neat, colorful, organized and fact-based regarding a drug topic.
Topic ideas include:
• Researching current laws, penalties and overall legal ramifications of the use, possession,
manufacturing, and distribution of a specific drug. Specify the difference between the
state and federal level
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
• The dangers of secondhand smoke
• “Crack Babies”
• Alcoholism and the role it plays within genetics
• The history of a specific drug, including famous people who have died from that drug
• How does a drug affect a developing teenage body, specifically affect the developing
brain? (i.e. alcohol)—permanent health consequences
• “Date Rape Drug” information, statistics, and ways to keep people safe
• What makes a drug addictive? Which drugs are considered to be the most addictive?
Why? A comparison of physically addictive drugs versus psychologically addictive drugs
Skit or Play (G)
Write and perform a skit or play that deals with drug information. You must include 10 pieces of
factual information. Select cast, practice, and perform for the class. You may want to videotape
your skit or play at home and then edit it and save to a DVD. The skit or play must last a
minimum of five minutes. A written script is required. Write a paragraph (5 sentences
minimum) on the message you were trying to portray. Remember that all information must be
fact-based to receive credit.
TV Advertisement
Create a 60-second TV commercial for teenagers about the dangers of a specific drug. It must
include original ideas (not just the “This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?) Must have 5
dangers. Video tape the ad, edit the material, place the final draft on a DVD, turn it in with a
script, and a paragraph (5 sentences minimum) on what you learned.
True Story
Read a non-fiction book about drugs (abuse, dependence, addiction, treatment, sobriety, etc.)
and type a one-page report (12 point, Times New Roman font, 1.5 spacing). Don’t forget
to use spell check, grammar check, and proof read. Include the title, author, number of pages
(100 pages minimum), plot summary, and opinion of the book. Probing questions include: What
did you learn? Do you think differently about the subject now? Did this book help you gain
insight related to the topic of drugs?
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Title ideas include: Broken: My Story of Addiction & Redemption, Chasing the High, Crank, Dry,
Glass, Go Ask Alice, Our Drink: Detoxing the Perfect Family, Running with Scissors, Smashed
100 points
Making the “Band” (G)
Select people to form a small group or “band”—3 people total. Create an original band name.
Decide on a specific drug topic and research the effects of this drug on the user, friends and family
of the user, and society. Your group is going to become their own “band” and work together to
write a song about the specific drug. Remember that this is an anti-drug song. You are
encouraged to make your song rhyme and flow well together. You can use music that you are
familiar with rock, rap, pop, country, or create your own tune. Please keep the lyrics appropriate
(i.e. no profanity). The lyrics must be original to your group. Don’t forget to name your song.
After creating your song, design an album or CD cover that represents your group, the song,
and the anti-drug theme. Be creative! Your band needs to come up with at least one anti-drug
sponsor for your album. Research specific anti-drug groups including: The Office of National
Drug Control Policy, National Institute on Drug Abuse, etc.) Then your band will perform a mini
concert in front of the class. If you don’t want to perform live, you can video tape the
performance as a music video and bring in the DVD.
PowerPoint Presentation
Create a PowerPoint presentation about a drug related topic and present it to the class. All
material must be fact-based. The PowerPoint must include text, visuals, custom
animation, slide transitions, and sound. The end of the report must include a 5-question
multiple-choice quiz to test the audience. Don’t forget to include the correct answers! A
minimum of 15 slides must be included [this includes the title (1), resources (1), & quiz slides
(1)]. Talk to Mrs. Garrison regarding the presentation day (it’s not necessarily a Friday).
Support Group
Research the history of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), the process of
the meetings, the rules, and how these support groups help people maintain sobriety. Then visit
an OPEN MEETING for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Make sure it is a meeting that is open to the public and you get permission from the group for
observing. No more than three students should go together per meeting. Do not write notes
while at the meeting. You must be mature and leave everything you heard there. Get to the
meeting early and introduce yourself to the leader. When you get home combine your initial
research with your reflection of the experience into a two-page typed paper per person (12
point, Times New Roman font, 1.5 spacing)—do not use any names from the meeting!
Include the time, date, and location of the meeting. DO NOT ATTEND MEETINGS AT ST.
PETER’S HOSPITAL! Check out the links for meeting info:
http://aadistrict8.org/meetings/index.php
http://www.usrecovery.info/NA/Washington.htm
Teacher for the Day
Design a 30-minute lesson plan that focuses on a drug related topic. All information presented
must be fact-based. A typed lesson plan (12 point, Times New Roman, 1.5 spacing)
must be submitted to Mrs. Garrison prior to instruction. The lesson plan must include
the title, list of necessary materials, entry task or attention grabber, description of the lesson, copy
of handouts or other materials used, assessment (how are you going to test the
students’ understanding of the material?), and why you feel it is important to teach
the lesson. Ideas or strategies to include in the lesson include station activities,
game show format, etc.
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