In health class, when we get to the drugs and alcohol unit, I bring in a remote controlled truck. This obviously piques the interest of 7th graders. I have a ball on the desk. I have a straight line taped down. I have keys on the desk. I have a box of goggles on the desk. This is the culminating lesson of our unit where we've already had discussions on the effects of drug and alcohol on the body both in acute and chronic cases. I have them perform skills while sober like driving the truck and parking it in the garage (inside a taped square), throwing and catching a ball with a partner, putting the keys in the door and being able to lock or unlock the door (or start a car), or being able to walk a straight line. Then we explore using the intoxication goggles that we borrow from the police. They demonstrate varying levels of intoxication depending on the lenses on the goggles. I stress that they are experiencing the physical effects of drugs/alcohol, but that I can't simulate the mental effects and the poor decision making that comes with it. They know it is ok to laugh and have some fun with this but then they do a written reflection on the experience and what they learned and follow some of my questioning prompts. It is a lesson they always talk about when I see them later on in life. The goal of that lesson is help educate on the risks involved with drugs and alcohol. I am not naive enough to think that many of my students won't be exposed to these things...they will....often times in middle and especially in high school. I want them to remember the lesson and the effects they felt so they can make decisions ahead of time...I will not do these things...because I know my decision making will be impaired and I can make choices I'll regret later. The hands on nature of the lesson make it effective and memorable and I hope that when put in these situations later in life, some of them think about this lesson and it helps them make the right choice.
