DRUGS:DON’T BE FOOLED

Year Published: 1984

Description:

"Drugs: Don’t be Fooled" is an educational film released in 1984. It is produced by Jim Springer at American Educational Films, Inc. and focuses on the effects of peer pressure, and drug and alcohol abuse. Narrated by Roger Perry.

The film opens with middle school kids experimenting with chemicals in science class. Perry notes that experiments also happen outside the classroom. 01:50 Perry talks to the students about drugs, what they are, how they work, concerns of their misuse, and debating facts about medicinal and recreational drugs such as the beneficial treatment use of some drugs for diseases like cancer, pain relief, and the non-benefits of nicotine and alcohol. Prescribed drugs are discussed, noting all drugs can be dangerous, as well as the science of mood-altering drugs. The kids share facts about narcotics, alcohol, hallucinogenics, barbiturates, and amphetamines. 05:38 A group of teenagers hike through the woods. They drink beer. Tim refuses and is pressured by the others.07:12 Another group of teenagers sits in a car. Sarah is pressured to smoke marijuana. 08:18 Two teenager boys in a locker room. One complains of feeling drained. The other tempts him with “uppers.” 10:17 Three teenage girls chat after school. Wendy stresses over school and is pressured to take barbiturates for help calming her anxiety. 12:08 Perry leads a class discussion about peer pressure and ways to counter it. The kids discuss ways to handle the pressure to use drugs such as knowing the facts about drugs, recognizing misinformation, and debunking myths. They note the myth that drugs will solve a kid’s problems, but emphasize that dealing with such problems are part of growing up and that inhibitions you lose under the influence of drugs only return once the drug wears off. Perry notes some inhibitions shouldn’t be lost, like not doing foolish things dangerous to a person’s health. 14:40 Teenagers play a pick up basketball game. Ken aggressively attacks another player, gets into a fight, and breaks his wrist. 15:58 At a pizza restaurant, Todd and Debbie, high on drugs, create a nuisance by acting out. 17:06 An ambulance drives along a rural road. The teenagers who were hiking have been pulled over by police for drunk driving. They’ve crashed their van. Paramedics tend to one boy injured in the crash while a police officer leads the teen driver in a sobriety test. 18:04 Nancy argues with her mother and sent to her room. She pops an overdose of barbiturates. 19:10 In the classroom discussion, Perry tells the students that all drugs have potential consequences after longterm use. The consequences of addiction are discussed such as destruction of the body, addiction, crime, depression, death, and various side effects. 21:04 Perry concludes, addressing the viewing audience with his hopes that this film dissuades drug use, that kids should know the facts about drugs and consider the consequences. 21:36 End Credits.