Crystal meth
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=276
A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Healthful Living
In this Science Update, students explore the devastating effects of using crystal methamphetamine on unborn fetuses. According to University of Toronto pharmacologist Peter Wells, who conducted a study on pregnant mice, a single hit of the drug may be enough to cause permanent birth defects. The use of this drug has been proven to cause poor motor coordination and other neurological problems in the offspring of mice. Given that meth is popular with young women in both urban nightclubs and rural communities, Wells says it’s important to tell them of the potential risk. Science NetLinks provides a link to the audio file, a written transcript, and questions to engage students in discussion about the study and how it informs the field of medical research on humans using crystal meth. This activity also contains links to an article that focuses on drug effects on pregnant women from the National Institutes of Health Office of Science Education and “Pesticides, Parasite, and Frog Deformities,” from National Geographic.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Healthful Living Education (2006)
Grade 9–12
- Goal 5: The learner will choose not to participate in substance abuse.
- Objective 5.05: Predict potential effects of an individual’s substance abuse on others.
