FACTS ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINE
These activities highlight the damaging effects of the drug methamphetamine on the body, and guide you to focus on the healthy aspirations you have for your body and life.
You can print this worksheet or open it in Google Docs (you will need a Google account).
3.1 Learn about the dangers of methamphetamine addiction and dopamine
3.1.1 Watch the video ‘Did You Know: Methamphetamine’
This video contains valuable information to help you understand the topic. (0:14 onwards)
(Note: stats are for NZ)
3.1.2 Discuss the information in this video.
Discuss what dopamine is and what it does. Think about what you learned in the previous lesson. Talk about dopamine and all habits and addictions eg chips, chocolate etc.
3.1.3 Read the passage
“In nature, rewards usually come only with time and effort. Addictive drugs and behaviors provide a shortcut, flooding the brain with dopamine and other neurotransmitters. Our brains do not have an easy way to withstand the onslaught.
Addictive drugs, for example, can release two to 10 times the amount of dopamine that natural rewards do, and they do it more quickly and more reliably. In a person who becomes addicted, brain receptors become overwhelmed. The brain responds by producing less dopamine or eliminating dopamine receptors—an adaptation similar to turning the volume down on a loudspeaker when noise becomes too loud.” (Understanding Addiction, Harvard Help Guides)
3.1.4 Explain the above passage in your own words (or draw pictures to illustrate)
3.1.5 Discuss: What information can be trusted?
Where would you look for trusted information about the drug methamphetamine. What is ‘the word on the street?’ Why is the ‘the word on the street’ an unreliable information source?
Hint
e.g. The person is trying to get you to do something harmful, they are not looking after you but trying to manipulate you. They want you to get addicted.
Can you accurately judge who is looking after your health in the long term? Who is trying to get you to do something dangerous to enable their own behaviour?
3.2 Short and long term effects of the drug methamphetamine on the body
3.2.1 Read the information
Find out the facts. What are the short and long term, psychological and physical effects of the drug methamphetamine on the body?
Positive Choices website
Alcohol and Drug Foundation website
3.2.2 Draw the short term and long term effects of the drug methamphetamine on the body
If you are in the classroom, you can work in groups. Draw around a body to create a poster to hang in the classroom. The information from this lesson will be useful for the next lessons.
3.3 Build a healthy body and mind
What I want for my body and mind
3.3.1 Draw your aspirations for your body and mind.
For example: healthy skin, good memory, muscles etc. This could be funny, but hopefully it is memorable!
CHECK YOUR LEARNING
What is addiction?
What would you do?
Get help
Credits
‘Did You Know: Methamphetamine’ video, (YouTube), New Zealand Drug Foundation, 2017.
‘Understanding Addiction‘ Harvard Health Help Guides, 2021.
‘Methamphetamine (“Ice”): Factsheet‘ Positive Choices, 2021.
‘Drug Facts: Ice‘ ADF, 2021.
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