National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens (NIDA for Teens)
The first resource is the website: National Institute on
Drug Abuse for Teens (NIDA for Teens). NIDA for Teens is a component of the
National Institute of Health (NIH). Information and resources (Spanish and
English) provided are science-based (evidence-based). The focus is teens
(11-17) and the purpose is to educate teens, parents, teachers and other
educators on the facts about drugs and their effects on the brain and body. The
goal is to help teens use critical thinking to be able to make informed
decisions about possible drug usage and their health.
The site has separate sections and resources for teens,
parents and teachers.
For teens, there is a Q & A section with scientific
facts about an extensive list of drugs, their effects on the body and brain and
data of teen usage. There are a variety of videos, games, infographics, Drug
& Health Blog and publications that can be viewed on the site. Brain Development (3 minutes long) is a
good introductory video presented by a teen.
For teachers, there are 90
science-based lessons with multimedia activities for classroom use. National
standards, appropriate grade level and lesson plans can be downloaded and
classroom materials ordered free.
Additionally, information about National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
(3/30/2020-4/5/2020) with resources for hosting school events is available.
For
parents, information is provided (scientific facts, videos and links to
resources) for prevention of teen drug usage and drug treatment programs.
When working in School Social Work, the NIDA website is very
helpful for Universal Substance Use Prevention programs and targeted work with
student (in groups or individually), who have used or are using drugs. This
website gives the School Social Worker important knowledge on a wide variety of
drugs, their effects on different parts of the body and tools/resources that
can be used when speaking with students about drug usage. With the legalization
of marijuana in January 2020, research has suggested that teen usage of
marijuana may escalate. Additionally, parents may not realize the increased
potency of marijuana (compared to decades ago) and the dangers of marijuana
usage on the developing adolescent brain.
Extra resource: School Services Sourcebook
Franklin, C., Harris, M. B., & Allen-Meares, P. (Eds.).
(2013). The school services sourcebook:
A
guide for school-based professionals (2nd ed.).
New York: Oxford University Press.
This is a great resource filled with evidence-based
practices for the School Social Worker. It focuses on many aspects of School
Social Work including resources for improving Student Support Services (methods
and frameworks); resources for working with students with mental health,
developmental and/or physical disorders; resources for working with students
with substance abuse, health, interpersonal and/or social problems; crisis
intervention, etc. This book also illustrates efforts to deal with school
engagement, attendance, dropout prevention, violence, bullying, conflict
resolution, sexual assault, gangs and efforts to improve multicultural and
community relations. Assessments, interventions (Tiers 1, 2 and 3), therapies,
trainings, examples and extensive references are presented. This book can
definitely increase the social worker’s knowledge and skill base working with
students from elementary through high school age.