Powerfully presents the life-altering impact of a drug arrest, trial, conviction and incarceration. The accounts and dramatic reenactments of young people who broke the law and got caught, show the harsh realities of being handcuffed, arrested, booked, fingerprinted and locked in a cell. Program underscores the fact that any drug arrest has life-long consequences for the individual, family and friends. It affects finishing high school, college admissions, job prospects and employment, immigration status, and the rights that attach to citizenship. Program also looks at the legal consequences of using a fake ID; underage possession and use of alcohol; and drunk or impaired driving. The costs of crime are very high—from the legal fees to the toll on lives and the stigma of a criminal record that cannot be erased.
Includes:
video, plus teacher’s resource book, student handouts and pre/post tests in digital format
Reviews
What happens when teens get in trouble from the effects of alcohol and drug use? Focusing on youthful offenders, this program clears up any misconceptions about less severe punishment under the law. An off-screen narrator provides factual information, but the most compelling segments are the accounts from young people who describe their experiences in the legal system. Chris received a DUI after his senior prom, and Shannon was caught with a small amount of marijuana. Tom sold drugs, and Jeff assaulted someone with a pistol while under the influence. Whether a first time offender or a seasoned troublemaker, an officer explains how zero tolerance laws may result in harsher punishment for juveniles than for adults. The teens detail their arrests as well as the booking process and lengthy legal hassles of obtaining bond, being arraigned, and finding a lawyer. Snippets of footage in police stations and courtrooms accompany the testimonies. Interviewees explain how their past arrest has affected current car insurance rates, job interviews, and relationships. One teen advises viewers to stay away from drugs and alcohol, to look at your five best friends to see your own reflection, and to think about what you want for a future. Suitable for health, sociology, guidance, and government courses.
- Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY
School Library Journal