"HOOKED"

Teachers' Notes

DISCUSSION POINTS

1. What is peer pressure? How important is it to make your own decisions about what is wrong or right for you?
2. Discuss other pressures facing young people today. E.g. Parental expectations, unemployment, rôle models portrayed by the media, education/study, problems at home e.g. divorce
3. What is the attraction of smoking?
   • It looks "cool"?
   • It's a way to fit in?
   • A way to rebel?
   • It feels good?
   • Or is it self-sabotaging?
4. What is the down-side of smoking?
• Health problems
• Cost
• Addiction
• Smell
• Premature aging
5. What is addiction? Is it purely physical or is it psychological as well? Could addictions be a way of avoiding feelings that are too scary to face?
6. Discuss the pros and cons of alcohol.
7. What can happen when alcohol is consumed in excess?
8. Discuss the different types of inhalants and why they are so dangerous.
   'I feel that I'm hassled all the time at home, but there's no way I can talk about it with my parents.'
   Does anyone in the class feel like this?
   Discuss the importance (and perceived difficulties) of communication within and outside of the family.
9. Discuss positive ways of relieving anger and frustration and dealing with problems.
   E.g. discussion; physical activities; hobbies.
10. Discuss "drug pushers" like Mr Hook. It is probably a more realistic scenario that young people obtain drugs from their peers. How could this be stopped?
11. What are some other ways to feel "high" without using chemicals?
    E.g. Sport, exercise, singing, music, drama, laughter, swimming, getting in touch with Nature, yoga, meditation, dancing, bungee jumping.

Any other ideas?

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