Surfing the Net with Kids Newsletter: Drug Abuse

Surfing the Net with Kids: Preventing Drug Abuse

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October 16, 2002

Dear Reader,

My kids and I just returned from a fabulous, whirlwind trip to
Washington D.C. where I spoke at a conference for email
newsletter publishers. My kids had never been to D.C., so I
took them out of school for three days — and off we went! We
survived the D.C. sniper, although his terrorizing attacks came
awfully close to where we staying in Arlington.

Looking for the best of D.C. online? Here’s my column from last year.
Printables Club Members can get their copy here.

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by the following sponsors. Please take a look at their offers; without their support, this newsletter wouldn’t be possible.

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See ya on the Net,
Barbara J. Feldman
“Surfing the Net with Kids”

P.S. This week Printables Club Members also:
  1) learn about f*ree federal educational resources
  2) learn about a f*ree CD-ROM game that helps kids manage their asthma
  3) learn when kids should begin to study keyboarding
  4) get a two-page Internet enrichment printable of today’s topic
  5) get access to an archive of +100 Surfnetkids Internet
enrichment printables and word searches

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Preventing Drug Abuse

http://www.surfnetkids.com/drugs.htm

Government research has shown that to be effective, a drug prevention program must be built on scientifically accurate information about the harmful effects of drugs. In honor of Red Ribbon Week, October 23 through 31, here are my picks for educating ourselves and our kids about drug and substance abuse.

For Real

http://www.forreal.org/

The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, publishes this magazine-style site to educate teens about the “the real deal behind marijuana.” It has articles (“Coming Clean: How to Talk to Your Parents About Your Drug Use”), research data (such as a state-by-state penalties for possession of marijuana) , and links to additional sites. The interactive time line of marijuana laws, starting in 1900, is very interesting and chock-full of dates you might need for a school report.

FreeVibe

http://www.freevibe.com/

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has a very hip site, with games, e-cards, discussion forums and the straight scoop on drugs. To learn about drugs in general (“Why People Take Drugs”) or specifically (alphabetically from alcohol to tranquilizers) jump to Heads Up. To voice your opinions, visit the bulletin board. What are your own reasons for not doing drugs? Do they include your desire to do your best in sports, be creative in music or honor your family? Discover, develop and share your own reasons in the interactive Your Anti-Drug section.

MADD Online: Under 21

http://www.madd.org/under21/

Mothers Against Drunk Driving are also against underage drinking. Their extensive site includes sections for various age groups (elementary, junior/senior high school, college, and parents); and a vast collection of scary statistics (“The median age at which children begin drinking is 13. Young people who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who begin drinking at age 21.”) Truth & Consequences is an excellent click that debunks many popular myths about alcohol.

Red Ribbon Works

http://www.redribbonworks.org/

In 1985, Special Agent Enrique ‘Kiki” Camarena of the Drug Enforcement Agency was kidnapped and killed by Mexican drug traffickers. Each October, thousands of schools and communities demonstrate their commitment to a drug-free life by celebrating Red Ribbon Week in his honor. Red Ribbon Works offers ideas for implementing Red Ribbon Week, informative anti-drug articles for parents and teachers, and a catalog of products (such as stickers and ribbons) to purchase for Red Ribbon Week..

Sara’s Quest

http://www.sarasquest.org/

“Hi! My name is Sara Bellum. Welcome to my website exploring the brain’s response to drugs.” Sara’s Quest, created by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, teaches middle-schoolers the effects of drug abuse on the body and the brain. It includes background information on brain anatomy, and chapters on marijuana, opiates, inhalants, hallucinogens, steroids, stimulants, nicotine and methamphetamine. After perusing the materials, take the animated Sara’s Quest Challenge to test your knowledge.