Curated OER
Kids Health: What You Need to Know About Drugs
Students are curious about drugs and this is a simple site that delves into what they need to know: what drugs are good and what drugs are harmful, what are illegal drugs, like heroin and marijuana, and why are they illegal. The authors...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Pbs: Do All Drugs Affect the Brain Similarly?
Discusses the mechanism by which drugs effect the brain. Contains links which discuss other aspects of drug addiction.
Other
Coca Museum
Coca is a plant that lives in the Andean region and is used to make the drug cocaine as well as being used in various medicinal and cultural practices of the Bolivian people. Find out about the science, history and uses of the coca plant...
Other
March of Dimes: Illicit Drug Use During Pregnancy
This article on prenatal exposure to ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, and other drugs discusses how illicit substances not only affect a developing baby, but also affect children long after the initial exposure.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Prenatal Drug Exposure and Drug Abusing Environments
Here, read findings based on clinical studies and medical research which focus on prenatal drug exposure and its short-term and long-term effects. Learn about how methamphetamine, cocaine, and alcohol can cause problems for developing...
Akron Children's Hospital
Akron Children's Hospital: Kidshealth: For Teens: Cocaine
Cocaine and crack are dangerous and addictive drugs. Find out more in this article for teens.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Drug Awareness
[Free Registration/Login Required] This is an introductory and informative lesson about (illegal) drug use and abuse. It is geared towards 8th grade, but can be adapted. It has symptoms of use, the effects drugs have on health, addiction...
WELL
People.well.com: Web of Addictions: Fact Sheets
This resource provides links to health, addiction, and organizations that offer help.
University of Utah
University of Utah: Genetic Science Learning Center: Comparing Brain Images [Pdf]
Color-by-numbers PET images allow comparison of active areas in a drug-free brain and in a cocaine addict's brain.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Pbs: Methadone Maintenance "Invisible" Success Story
Read about how methadone is helping heroin addicts kick their addiction. This article relays general information about methadone treatment and drug programs that utilize it.
Other
National Families in Action (Nfia): Home Page
This site from NFIA has a wide variety of information on drugs, their effects, prevention, treatment and much more!
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Nida: Expanded Methadone Treatment
A the National Institute on Drug Abuse, you can read about how an expert panel called for expanding access to Methadone treatment by eliminating excessive regulations and increasing funding. This article was originally written in 1997.
Curated OER
Kids Health: Lo Que Necesitas Saber Sobre Las Drogas
Read this article to understand the addiction process and factual information concerning various classes of drugs. The article contains links to similar sites as well. In Spanish.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Nida: Research Report Series: Methamphetamine
This detailed report provides general information on the abuse of methamphetamine and facts about the harmful effects of this drug. In addition to reading about the health risks associated with methamphetamine use, you can read about how...
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Reading Discussion Guide: Tweak by Nic Sheff
Nic Sheff was drunk for the first time at age 11. In the years that followed, he would regularly smoke pot, do cocaine and Ecstasy, and develop addictions to crystal meth and heroin. Even so, he felt like he would always be able to quit...