Below are the topics you can choose from. Under each topic is the information you have
to research and MUST include within your project. In addition, you should also include
any other relevant information you find on your topic as you do your research.
1. Research ONE of the following organizations?
Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Alateen, or Alanon
- How this organization began/discuss the history of it
- What is done at their meetings – explain the exact procedures that the members
follow at each meeting
- Explain what the 12 steps are
- Where and how often are local meeting of the organization held?
2. Underage Drinking, DUI and the Law in Pennsylvania?
- Interview a police officer or use the internet to find and explain what the laws
are in PA for underage drinking and DUI.
- Explain what exact procedures are taken if you do get caught.
- How do the procedures differ from being under the age of 18 and over the age
of 18?
- What happens if you are caught a 2nd or 3rd time?
- If someone is caught drinking at a home, what happens to the person who owns
the home?
- What happens if you buy or serve alcohol to minors (under age 18)?
3. Careers Affected by Alcohol/Drug Convictions
- Your group needs to choose 3 careers (examples: teacher, businessman,
athletes) and then do the research on those 3 careers.
- What actions are taken against that person within their job if they get charged?
- If they are over the age of 18, how will this affect future career plans?
- What jobs are no longer available to you after this charge is on your permanent
record?
- If not convicted or charged, how else could this type of behavior affect your
work?
4. Medicinal Uses of Marijuana
- What states are legally allowed to use marijuana medicinally?
- What types of medical conditions/diseases are treated with medicinal
marijuana?
- What is the success rate of using marijuana compared to other medications?
- What are the complications and/or drawbacks to using medicinal marijuana
rather than other medicines?
- Interview a friend, teacher, or parent on their opinion about medicinal
marijuana. Responses to 3 questions should be included.
- Briefly describe the results of this survey in your report.
5. Fallen Stars (1)
- Name 5 actors or actresses whose lives were negatively affected by
alcohol/drugs
- What drugs were they addicted to?
- How old were they when they started using? How long did their addiction
last?
- What was the outcome of their drug use? Did they die? Are they still
addicted? Are they now sober? What is their life like now if they are still
alive?
- Explain how the actions of these stars have negatively/positively affected the
public
6. Crystal Meth Use
- What is crystal meth?
- Discuss the history of crystal meth
- Describe the ingredients that are included in crystal meth and describe the lab
conditions that crystal meth is made in.
- What are the effects of crystal meth on the body?
- Provide statistics on crystal meth use.
- Why is crystal meth use becoming so popular?
7. Abuse of Prescription Drugs – Xanax and valium
- What medical conditions are these drugs prescribed for?
- What are the effects on the body when taken as prescribed? What are the
effects on the body when abused?
- What are the effects on the body when you mix these drugs with alcohol?
- What is being done to prevent people from possibly abusing these drugs? Are
pharmacies establishing special laws?
- Include an example of the warning label found on the prescription bottle. Is
there anything explains the danger of addiction or overdose?
- Can people become addicted to prescription drugs even if they are taken
legally? How? Describe the withdraw symptoms from abuse of this drug.
8. Abuse of Prescription Drugs – Adderall and Ritalin
- What medical conditions are these drugs prescribed for?
- What are the effects on the body when taken as prescribed? What are the
effects on the body when abused?
- What are the effects on the body when you mix these drugs with alcohol?
- What is being done to prevent people from possibly abusing these drugs? Are
pharmacies establishing special laws?
- Include an example of the warning label found on the prescription bottle. Is
there anything explains the danger of addiction or overdose?
- Can people become addicted to prescription drugs even if they are taken
legally? How? Describe the withdraw symptoms from abuse of this drug.
9. Abuse of Prescription Drugs – Hydrocodone, Oxycodone & Oxycontin
- What medical conditions are these drugs prescribed for?
- What are the brand names for the drugs included in this topic?
- What are the effects on the body when taken as prescribed? What are the
effects on the body when abused?
- What are the effects on the body when you mix these drugs with alcohol?
- What is being done to prevent people from possibly abusing these drugs? Are
pharmacies establishing special laws?
- Include an example of the warning label found on the prescription bottle. Is
there anything explains the danger of addiction or overdose?
- Can people become addicted to prescription drugs even if they are taken
legally? How? Describe the withdraw symptoms from abuse of this drug.
10. Entering Rehab/Intervention:
- What happens when you check into a rehab center? Explain the procedures.
- What is an intervention and how is one set up?
- Can a person check themselves out of a rehab center? What are the rules if
you are under 18? Over 18?
- What is involved in outpatient rehab?
- What is detoxification?
- What does a typical day at rehab consist of?
- Is rehab mandatory or voluntary? Explain when and why?
- Approximately how much does it cost to enter a rehab center?
11. Professional Athletes and Drug Use
- Choose 4 athletes who have abused drugs
- Each athlete should be from a different sport
- When did they begin using? Did they stop? Are they still using?
- Discuss the consequences of their actions for using illegal drugs – what
happened to them? (Jail time, fines, loss of playing time, health problems,
death?)
- Are they still able to compete in their sport?
- How did the public respond to their drug use? How do you feel these athletes
impact our society?
12. Steroids in the Professional Sports World
- Choose 3 different sports to report on
- What are the league policy regarding the use of steroids among athletes in
professional sports?
- How are the athletes tested for drugs in each particular sport? What are the
procedures?
- What are the consequences if the athlete gets caught using drugs (fines,
penalties, jail time, loss of playing time, etc…?)
- In your opinion, at what level do you feel testing for steroids should begin and
why?
- Provide statistic showing a comparison of players who abuse drugs.
13. Fallen Stars (2)
- Name 5 musicians whose lives were negatively affected by alcohol/drugs
- What drugs were they addicted to?
- How old were they when they started using? How long did their addiction
last?
- What was the outcome of their drug use? Did they die? Are they still
addicted? Are they now sober? What is their life like now if they are still
alive?
- Explain how the actions of these stars have negatively/positively affected the
public.