America has a long history of drug use and abuse, profiteering and racketeering, and high-minded attempts to legislate away the very human desire to alter consciousness. Within the last century, and particularly since the psychedelic revolution, more and more powerful drugs have made their way into society, not always with positive results.  Understanding not only the dangers of drugs, but their history and the social context in which we use them is an important step toward limiting misuse, abuse, and tragedy.

Drug Science 101 - Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction is the current wave of thinking of drug policy professionals, a common ground between drug users and their adversaries, in that no one wants to see anyone hurt by drug use.  In a culture awash in drugs, we must respect the fact that our young people have access to everything, and do what we can to help them make informed, intelligent decisions about drug use.  This survey of current research in neuro-chemistry, psychology, cross-cultural perspectives and law can help your student body make safe and healthy choices, including protecting themselves should they choose to use drugs.

New For 2006

Drug Politics 101 - The Drug War
(Race, class, politics and privilege)

The history of the drug war dates back nearly a century, to the original laws against the use of opium and cocaine. Did you know that these laws were primarily developed from racially intolerant attacks upon African American and Chinese immigrant populations? Or that "All Mexicans is crazy, and this is what makes 'em crazy," is the foundation of our laws against marijuana? Drugs use statistics show that minority populations use drugs far less than whites, but they're now incarcerated for drug crimes at rates averaging 10 times as high. A proven vehicle for segregating society, the drug war is not only focused on everyone who might question the status quo, and stripping them of their rights, but on the native poor of countries that supply our drugs.

Drug Science 301 - MDMA ≠ Ecstasy
(The reality of MDMA, science and politics,)

How much do your students really know about MDMA?
Synthesized and then abandoned by Merck in 1912, its rediscovery in the '70s led to a strong following in the psychotherapeutic community. Its unprofitability to the pharmaceutical industry led to its black market production, and its popularity led to its illegality. Now MDMA is undergoing FDA clinical trials, and the government's top anti-ecstasy researcher has been embroiled in scandal. Find out what you should know about this amazing tool, and why not to mistake it for a toy.

Drug Science 420 - Cannabis Past & Present
(Global History and Current Research)

Cannabis has a history beyond written record, with medical use documented for over a century. America was the first and only country in the world to outlaw it. How much of our cannabis law has to do with protecting our citizens? What's the current state of research on cannabis? Who supports Medical Marijuana and why? What is the Hemp Movement and why is Canada growing it while American farmers can't? Get the facts about cannabis in the 21st Century.