WASTED

PROGRAMME 1: HEROIN

ACTIVITIES

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Guidance

Please see general Guidance and Introductory / Closing activities before proceeding with programme-related activities.

Key points for discussion after viewing

• What were the initial reasons that April and Ian gave for beginning to use drugs?
• What seem to have been the main differences between their two stories?
• What have been the impacts of their drug abuse on those around them?
• Do you think Ian and April have been well-supported through their addiction?
• What key skills will April need to bring up her daughter successfully?
• What do you think will happen to Ian next?

Suggested activities

Activity 1

Both Ian and April talk about the physical withdrawal symptoms from heroin use. Investigate the different types of drugs, including methadone, and their short- and long-term effects on physical and mental health. Some of the websites listed in Find out more may be helpful. Alternatively, local health promotion libraries or resource centres can usually provide leaflets free of charge. Use these three headings as a starting point:

• Stimulants
• Depressants
• Hallucinogens

Students could work in three groups to each produce a large poster, and present this to their classmates.

Activity 2

It is often suggested that young people now may not be as aware of the dangers of heroin as in the past. Ask them to think about any anti-drug campaigns they have been aware of, now and in the past. What was their impact? Do students think they work?

Activity 3

View this UK public information film, 'Heroin screws you up', from the 1980s:

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/films/1979to2006/filmpage_dummy.htm

This one, from the USA, is more recent and features a well-known actress:

http://opioids.com/heroin/heroin-video.html

Students could compare the two films. What messages do they give out about heroin use? Which, if either, is more effective? Can students do better? Think of an idea/concept for an advert, including a slogan or tagline. Students could storyboard their advert. Finally, ask students to consider what might be done, besides advertising campaigns, to prevent people starting up with heroin, and by whom – young people, parents, schools, communities, government, the media and so on.