In this hard-hitting program, viewers learn the dangers of a newly banned drug called Spice or K2. Until December 2010, Spice was legally sold around the country as incense (“not for human consumption”) in convenience stores, head shops and on the Internet. Hundreds of ER visits and calls to poison control centers nationwide prompted the DEA to categorize Spice as a Schedule I substance. Although now illegal, Spice continues to be abused by teens who assume the herbal mixture—which is sprayed with various synthetic cannabinoids—is a substitute for marijuana. Viewers hear from young adults who were hooked on Spice with scary and sometimes life-threatening results including terrifying anxiety attacks, hallucinations, escalated blood pressure and addiction. The program also interviews drug counselors and law enforcement personnel who emphasize the dangers of experimenting with any substance that contains unknown quantities of experimental chemicals. Program clearly and memorably lays out the truth about this unpredictable drug and its potential to cause great harm.
Includes:
video, plus teacher’s resource book, student handouts and pre/post tests in digital format
DVD contains Spanish subtitles
Reviews
Highly Recommended Spice is a synthetic form of marijuana that was sold legally in the United States until December of 2010 when it was banned by the DEA. It consists of a dried plant material that is sprayed with a chemical compound that imitates the effects of marijuana when smoked. The chemical compounds were originally developed to aid in ameliorating the effects of cancer treatment but were never tested on humans. The use of this drug is growing among young people in the 12-17 year old category. In this instructional video, previous users describe their experiences including a terrifying visit to the emergency room when a teen was sure he was going to die. An emergency room doctor tells how the drug was created, how it affects the brain and how euphoria and tolerance is followed by addiction to the chemicals in spice. A narcotics officer warns of the legal consequences of spice use. All participants in the video encourage users of spice to seek help to quit. The doctor stresses that there is research underway about the physical consequences of spice use but that so far the long term effects are unknown.
The video is accompanied by a notebook with learning objectives, a summary of the DVD, a pre/post test with answer key, student activities and fact sheets suitable for class handouts. It is suitable for junior high through young college prevention programs and health classes.
- Sue F. Phelps, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA
Educational Media Reviews Online (EMRO)
Synthetic marijuana or cannabis, better known by its brand names “Spice” and “K2, “ has only recently been classified as a controlled substance. The timely High on Spice—which follows a fairly predictable anti-drug format—offers a good wake-up call for kids who think that experimenting with “legal weed” is OK. A wide variety of adult experts are interviewed here, including a narcotics instructor, emergency room doctor, police officer, and substance-abuse counselor. Intercut with their comments are the stories of three teens, all former users, whose experiences—including frightening anxiety attacks and hallucinations—are illustrated through dramatic re-creations. Although the message is not surprising—the gist being “spice is dangerous; don’t use it”—this program features plenty of specific information that will help young people make informed decisions or get help if needed. Parents and teachers will also benefit from seeing the various kinds of packaging used for spice, which will aid in identification. Backed with an accompanying curriculum that encourages critical thinking and positive peer pressure, this is recommended.
- E. Gieschen
Video Librarian