Substance Abuse: Research Update[series info]

Uppers and Downers: the Facts About Stimulants and Depressants

Hard-hitting docudrama presents the facts and provides expert commentary on how abuse of stimulants and depressants harms the brain and the body. After introducing a real teen who thought "harmless" stimulants would help him pull an all-nighter, an expert talks about the biological impact of using stimulants including caffeine, ADHD prescription medicines Ritalin and Adderall, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine, crack, and Ecstasy (MDMA). Discusses depressants, including alcohol, barbiturates and sleeping pills, tranquilizers, Rohypnol and GHB. Stresses the highly addictive nature of these drugs as the body`s tolerance increases, thus requiring larger and larger doses to get the same effects. The cycle of uppers and downers is examined, as is the escalation from "lower level" drugs like caffeine, to more perilous drugs.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
Eighth Grade-Twelfth Grade
Taping Rights Available until: Aug 31, 2011

There are no upcoming air times for this episode.