National Institute on Drug Abuse
Nida: Facts on Drugs: Marijuana
This extensive resource provides important facts about marijuana. Covers what it is, how it is used, its effects, street names, medical marijuana and more. Additional valuable links are included.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Real News About Drugs and Your Body
A fantastic reference for showing the real dangers of using drugs. Personal accounts of dealing with addiction are included as well as medical research that is easily understood to help illustrate the effects of drugs on a teen's body.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Heroin
This site has an article about the highly-addictive drug, heroin. This resource provides information on heroin, its street names, and its effects on the body. Here, you can also learn about treatment for heroin addiction and about the...
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know
Here is a good resource for parents wanting to learn more about marijuana use in children and teens. Organized in question/answer format, this article provides information on signs and side effect of marijuana use.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide (Third Edition)
The National Institute on Drug Abuse created a guide on the principles of drug addiction treatment. That guide is available here online. It's meant to help individuals answer questions such as finding the most effective methods of...
Biotechnology Institute
Biotechnology Institute: Your World: Learning About Drugs and Alcohol Through Biotechnology [Pdf]
Find out what role genetics plays in why people become drug and alcohol abusers, and investigate how biotechnology can help shape the future of medications used for addicts.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Psychoactive Drugs: Depressants and Opiates
An explanation of the effects the psychoactive drugs, depressants and opiates, have on the body.
The White House
The White House: Drug Facts: Methamphetamine
This resource provides both general information and statistics about methamphetamine use and the complications associated this dangerous drug. Providing charts, references, and links, this website is a good starting point for those...
USA Today
Three Factors Threaten Teens
Learn main reasons why teenagers experiment with illegal drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. This article provides statistics about teen drug abuse, discussion questions, and a writing activity.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Drugs, Politics, and Culture
From mind-altering drugs for pleasure to the push for pharmaceutical drugs, while examining this course of history and its effects on the world, take advantage of these resources. Includes PDFs (require Adobe Reader).
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...
Other
Department of Health and Human Services: Straight Talk About Drugs
Just as the title implies, this is a straight forward approach for kids to learn the effects of drugs directed towards girls.
Other
Streetdrugs.org: Education Resources
Detailed information about individual drugs. Targets students, parents, teachers, law enforcement officials, and health professionals.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Hallucinogens
A fact sheet outlining the health hazards and extent of use of hallucinogens. Some statistical data is provided.
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.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Aafp: Effectiveness, Adverse Effects, and Safety of Medical Marijuana
This editorial from the American Family Physician journal addresses the effectiveness, adverse effects, and safety of medical marijuana.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Steroids (Spanish)
A brief overview about steroid effects and use, with a focus on grades 8-12.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institute on Drug Abuse: Anabolic Steroids
A brief overview about steroids, the effects, and use of these drugs.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Drugonyms
Research factual information about drugs, and work as a team to convey that information to the class.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Nida for Teens: Mind Over Matter: Marijuana
An article that contains information on marijuana. You can find out where it comes from and the details about its effects on the brain.
University of Utah
University of Utah: Learn Genetics: Mouse Party
Using an interactive demonstration, this educational site provides a glimpse into how illicit drugs disrupt the synapse through unique molecular mechanisms causing the drug user to feel 'high'.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Pbs: Moyers on Addiction: Real Life Stories
PBS online presents six stories illustrating the struggle undergone by both adults and teens. Each individual story describes a unique perspective on the substance they abused and how it adversely affected their lives.
WELL
People.well.com: Web of Addiction: Links to Other Web Sites Related to Addiction
This resource provides links to information, programs, help and treatment resources, news groups, and professional resources involved in the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
University of Utah
University of Utah: Drugs Alter the Brain's Reward Pathway
This site provides interesting data about how drugs alter the brain. Find facts, pictures, and animations to help portray the critical information about drugs of abuse. Also link to teacher resources and lesson plans.