MN National Guard

MN National Guard

Counter Drug Task Force

Drug Demand Reduction

Drug Abuse Education Program Overview for Educators

Mission:

The Drug Abuse Education Program (DAEP) is part of the Counter Drug Task Force’s ongoing mission of combating the sale, use, and production of illicit drugs in Minnesota. Through law enforcement support and drug abuse education, the Counter Drug Task Force provides beneficial community programs pursuant to the National Guard mission of service to nation and state.

The DAEP is an effective and free of charge supplement to your existing drug resistance curriculum. DAEP instructors give informational and entertaining multimedia presentations on a variety of drug and alcohol topics. Educators have the option of choosing which topics they would like presented in order to address the specific areas of concern for their school and community.

The DAEP will provide all necessary class materials and a qualified instructor to conduct the classroom presentations. Educators can expect instructors to maintain a positive attitude and non-confrontational approach. DAEP instructors both encourage and plan time for class discussion.

Presentations are informational and generally conform to the following outline:

1.  Sources

2.  History of drug discussed

3.  Health effects of abuse and addiction

4.  Social effects of the drug trade specific to topic

5.  The influence of drugs in mass media

6.  Individual responsibility and resisting the influence

The three key ideas focused on throughout all presentations are:

1.  Recognizing your sources of information

2.  Taking care of your friends

3.  Maintaining a strong and independent mind and individual sense of self

Typical DAEP visits are 3 or 4 days in duration. However, as scheduling allows, the MN Counter Drug Task Force can work with individual schools to make other arrangements. Scheduling and contact information is available at www.minnesotacounterdrug.com.

Program Structure:

All presentations range from 45 to 85 minutes in length and all necessary materials will be supplied by DAEP instructors. Please remember that the following program structure is only a sample and teachers can request specific topics to be presented.

DAY 1 - Introduction to Drugs and Alcohol

·  Course introduction and expectations

·  Introduction of the 3 key ideas (as stated above)

·  Classifications of drugs and federal drug schedules

·  Overall effect of drug use and abuse on the individual and society

·  Closing remarks and class discussion

DAY 2 - Alcohol and Tobacco

·  Sources of information introduced

·  Histories of alcohol and tobacco in the US

·  Methods of consumption

·  Health risks of abuse and addiction

·  Alcohol and tobacco marketing

·  Media and pop culture influence

·  Societal costs

·  Closing remarks and class discussion

DAY 3 - Marijuana

·  Sources of information introduced

·  History of hemp and marijuana

·  Methods of consumption

·  Health risks of abuse and addiction

·  Influence of marijuana in media and pop culture

·  The medicinal and legalization debate

·  Closing remarks and class discussion

DAY 4 - Club\Designer Drugs

·  Sources of information introduced

·  Definitions of club and designer drugs

·  Commonly abused club\designer drugs

·  Ecstasy (MDMA)

·  Stimulants (speed, ephedrine cocaine)

·  “Date rape” drugs (Ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol)

·  Methamphetamine and amphetamine

·  Acid (LSD)

·  Other various hallucinogens and dissociatives such as PCP, nitrous oxide, mescaline, DOB, 2C-I, 2C-B

·  Final remarks and class discussion

Additional Available Topics

·  The rave scene and culture

·  Methamphetamine (A closer look at meth use and abuse)

·  Jacqui’s Story (Story of a drunk driving victim)

·  Steroids and performance enhancing drugs

·  Caffeine (Presentation on long term effects of the caffeine found in sodas, coffee, and energy drinks as well as caffeine addiction)

·  The drug trade and societal cost (A more in depth discussion on the societal cost and violence associated with the drug trade and drug abuse)

Thank you for your interest and support of the Drug Abuse Education Program and the MN National Guard Counter Drug Task Force!