Parent forums set to discuss school plan for weaving anti-drug education into everyday learning

MANCHESTER, NH — Parents have several opportunities over the next few days to learn more about how Manchester’s schools are meeting the needs of our children when it comes to drug education and prevention.

• Dec. 13: 4:30 p.m. Coffee and Conversation with Dr. Vargas, Southside Middle School
• Dec. 13: 6 p.m. Drug prevention education parent information session, Central High School
• Dec. 14: 6  p.m. – Drug prevention education parent information session, Manchester Memorial High School – Mirabile Auditorium
• December 15, 2016 – 6 p.m. – Drug prevention education parent information session, Manchester High School West – Baines Auditorium

The program was made possible thanks to a partnership between Manchester Rotary and the school district. Below is one of the educational outlines available for public review. Visit beatopioids.mansd.org for more details.

HIGH SCHOOL SUBSTANCE ABUSE INTEGRATED INSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

Every classroom provides an abundance of opportunities to embed substance abuse education topics into our instruction. Our community has asked us to make connections with students about the impact of substance abuse on their lives. Consider addressing some of these topics throughout the school year in the context of your classes.

1. High School Topics – across all grades 9-12

a. Relationships: Family & friends

b. Choices: decisions we make can have long lasting impact positive and negative

c. Risk factors: biological predisposition, family history, mental health, self image,

environment, social factors

d. Protective factors: Family, resiliency, education, community involvement, self

esteem

e. Social Factors: bullying, peer pressure, social media, advertisements

f. Addiction/habits – what is the difference? what is the relationship or is there a

continuum?

g. Social media /propaganda/advertising

2. Themes Based on Subject 

a. Science

i. Biology of addiction

ii. Brain development and impact

iii. Heredity/genes

iv. Impact on body

v. Chemistry of drugs

vi. Legitimate drugs marketing

vii. Birth defects

b. Language Arts

i. Peer pressure

ii. Relationships

iii. Self esteem/ self image

iv. Addictive Behavior – Impact on writing/ work/ life/ productivity

c. Social Studies

i. Civics & Government

1. War on Drugs

2. Legislation – State/Federal/Local

3. Civil Liberties

a. Drug Testing- Cases

4. Legalization of Marijuana

5. Rico Laws