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Heads Up: Real News About Drugs and Your Body

An educational collaboration between the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and Scholastic Inc., this series provides science-based information about the effects of drugs and drug abuse on the brain and body through a variety of print and Web formats, including teen articles, classroom lessons, student worksheets, and posters. All of these materials are free.

Published: August 2003
Revised: August 2011
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Visit the Heads Up site at Scholastic »

Prescription Drug Poster

Raises awareness of the health consequences of improper use of prescription drugs and contrasts it with the benefits of safe and proper prescription drug use.

Published: March 2010
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National Drug IQ Challenge

Encourages people to test their knowledge about drug abuse and addiction by asking them to take a 12-question quiz. Accompanying answers shed light on the science of drug abuse.

Revised: December 2012
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Take the quiz online at the National Drug Facts Week Web site »

Drugs: Shatter the Myths

Answers teens’ most frequently asked questions about drugs and abuse with scientific facts and engaging images.

Published: October 2010
Revised: April 2011
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Learn more at NIDA's National Drug Facts Week site »

Teacher's Guide

Equips teachers with background information and lesson plans on drug abuse and addiction for use with the magazines in the Mind Over Matter series.

Published: December 1997
Revised: May 2005
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Read this publication online at the NIDA for Teens Web site »

Tobacco Addiction

Describes how nicotine acts on the heart to change heart rate and blood pressure, and discusses dependency, treatment, and effects of long-term nicotine use.

Published: January 1998
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Read this publication online at the NIDA for Teens Web site »

Prescription Drug Abuse

Explains how prescription drugs, when used improperly, can cause addiction and other harmful health problems.

Published: January 2009
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Read this publication online at the NIDA for Teens Web site »

Opiates

Describes how opiates, such as Vicodin, morphine, heroin, and codeine, affect the brain, the nervous system, and the limbic system, which controls emotions.

Published: January 1997
Revised: January 2009
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Read this publication online at the NIDA for Teens Web site »

Methamphetamine

Explains how methamphetamine acts in the body and the brain and what happens with long-term use of the drug.

Published: October 2000
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Read this publication online at the NIDA for Teens Web site »

Marijuana

Explains how THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, causes changes in the brain that affect memory, emotions, balance, and judgment.

Published: January 1997
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Read this publication online at the NIDA for Teens Web site »

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