What is the history of drugs in America? What should the public know about drugs today? How can we inform them?

In this semester long project students studied the history and current perception of drugs in our country. Students went in depth into the War on Drugs, and interviewed representatives from the DEA, the CVPD, and Johnson & Johnson. Students then wrote op-eds on an issue related to drugs for possible publication. Students interviewed the Opinion Editor from the Union Tribune, Matthew Hall during this process for writing tips. Students outlined, drafted, and revised their op-eds over several weeks. Students then transitioned to sharing what they learned to 5th and 8th grade students at the neighboring elementary and middle school. Students prepared an age appropriate drug awareness curriculum that utilized their op-eds, but transformed them into engaging public service videos.