Unit 4 Clean and drug-free

Text 1 - Schools Need Better Anti-Drug Programmes

Dear Sir / Madam ,

I am writing to express my concern about the staggering rise of youth drug abusers shown in the survey results released by Youth Drug Task Force (YDATF) on 15 March 20_.

The Statistics show a steady increase in the total number of youth drug abusers in Hong Koing during the past three years. Even more alarming is the 2011 figures which showed around 40% new drug users were junior secondary students. Party drugs, such as ketamine ( also known as "k-jai" ), were found to be the top choice for these school-age drug abusers.

In my opinion, this worrying trend is proof that the ongoing territory-wide anti-drug drive in schools has been ineffective.The situation is likely to worsen as ketamine becomes even cheaper and more accessible. It is urged that more should be done to educate and support students in the fight against drugs.

First, schools have to do more than simply giving talks. A healthy campus drive should be set up involving the school community. There ought to be regular anti-drug programmes to teach students about the harmful effects of drug use. Meanwhile, there should be courses for teachers on how to recognise signs of drug abuse.

Second, to help tackle teenage drug use, a new approach is needed that gives students support both at school and at home to say "no" to drugs with confidence. Data collected by YDATF showed that the reasons teens were driven to escape by getting "high" on ketamine include schoolwork and troubles at home. Peer pressure, the fear of being left out and the desire to belong were also cited as reasons for drug use. It is thus extremely important for teachers as well as parents to get actively involved in this new anti-drug drive. Workshops should be conducted to help them understand teens more.

In conclusion, I strongly believe with better training for parents and teachers, they can play a formidable part in steering at-risk and drug-abusing students away from deadly temptations.

Yours faithfully,

Tomas Kwok

Text 2

SCENE: [ VICKY and MIKE are standing outside Ray's house. RAY, TOM and CONNIE are seen inside partying. All of them are Secondary 3 students. ]

MIKE: I've always wanted to go to Ray's partners - only the popular kids get invited.

VICKY: You're not really missing out on anything. Everyone just ends up acting weird. I should warn you - someone might offer you drugs at the party.

MIKE: What's the big deal about drugs? People take them to relax and have a good time, right? You can't become addicted right away, can you?

VICKY: Of course you can ! Plus, taking drugs can damage your body and your mind. K-jai , party-goers' top choice , is a powerful drug. It can cause blackouts and bladder failures.

MIKE: Bladder failures?

VICKY: Right. I've heard that Ray's bladder has become so damaged that he has to go to the toilet every 10 to 15 minutes. Here, watch this video I took on my smartphone at his party last week.

[Lights dim. Spotlight on TOM and CONNIE.]

TOM: (talks to himself angrily) Why don't you get good grades? Why can't you do anything right? I can't believe you are my son !

CONNIE: (talks to a cactus in slurred speech) Pretty face - I want to look just like you, so that people would notice me. I hate my face, my big fat feet, my....everything ! I love you more than I love myself. Let me give you a big hug. (hugs plant and screams in pain)

[Lights dim. Spotlight on VICKY and MIKE.]

VICKY: They're acting crazily because they've taken k-jai. It is a strong calming drug that's meant for horses and cattle, not us humans.

MIKE: After seeing this video, I am definitely not going to do k-jai or any other drugs. I would never want to be that out of control and put my health at risk.

VICKY: I agree. Do you still want to go to Ray's party?

MIKE: Not any more. Let's go see a film, shall we?

VICKY: Sure !

[VICKY and MIKE walk away from RAY's house. Lights dim.]