Everything You Need to Know About Substance Abuse in 22 Minutes

Everything You Need to Know About Substance Abuse in 22 Minutes

22 min. w/35-page PDF guide. Human Relations Media. 2018. $149.95. Streaming $149.95 (1 year), $74.95 (30 days), $49.95 (7 days). ISBN 9781627061001.

Gr 7 Up–Capable teen narrators Cecelia Kim and Cameron Mason lead viewers through five major categories of substance abuse. They begin with alcohol, noting that one-third of all fatal auto accidents involve alcohol. An emergency room nurse notes how many intoxicated teens arrive in the ER with severe head or spine trauma. The hosts move on to the effects of nicotine in cigarettes and e-cigarettes, highlighting the fact that some 384,000 people die annually from smoking-related causes, that withdrawal from nicotine is extremely uncomfortable, and that adverse effects from e-cigarettes are as yet unknown. Marijuana, they note, can lead to loss of up to eight IQ points in teens, increases the risk of a heart attack within an hour of smoking, and that the percentage of THC in marijuana has risen from an average of one percent in 1969 to 20 to 34 percent today. When it comes to opioids, Fentanyl is now responsible for more overdose deaths than heroin or prescription opioids. As for inhalants, there are 1,000 products that can be abused by huffing, and a new syndrome, sudden sniffing death, is a real concern. VERDICT This packs a lot into 22 minutes and would be a good choice for anyone looking for an even-handed educational program. –John R. Clark, formerly at Hartland Public Library, ME

School Library Journal

Everything You Need to Know About Substance Abuse in 22 Minutes

(2018) 22 min. DVD: $149.95 (study guide included). Human Relations Media. PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 978-1-62706-100-1.

Young adult narrators speak directly here to teenagers about the facts of substance abuse, presenting current information to counter myths and hearsay. A wide range of substances are covered, including alcohol, e-cigarettes/vaping, marijuana, opioid prescription drugs, heroin, and inhalants. The film points out that substance abuse can affect a teenager’s developing brain, as well as hamper relationships, academic progress, and prospects for future success. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance and can impair coordination and lead to other risky behaviors, while blackouts can erase memory, and binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning. Teenagers may think that vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes, but nicotine found in the juice of e-cigarettes is addictive. Today’s marijuana is also more potent than the marijuana in the 1960s and contains many of the chemicals found in cigarettes. Prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction and heroin use (drugs laced with Fentanyl are particularly dangerous). Lastly, inhaling common household products can be fatal or damage major organs. For a final point, the narrators remind viewers that while a certain percentage of teens use drugs, many others do not. Also including an excellent resource guide, this is recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (T. Root)

Video Librarian