The Media Library of Genesee Valley BOCES

Includes 3 15-minute programs. Part 1: "Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana," Using animation as well as dramatic vignettes, this program focuses on the damage these these substances cause damage to the body and the brain. Part 2: "Dangers in Your House," focuses on the dangers of common household products that can be inhaled or huffed, as well as prescription and over-the-counter drugs found in the family medicine cabinet. Part 3: "The Power of No," focuses on 4 short dramas in which elementary students are confronted with a decision on whether to try a substance or not.

Teenagers share with the viewer their experiences with the dying and death of a family member. The coping process and the grieving process are discussed. A social worker, who himself lost a parent at an early age, covers some of the special concerns that teachers, family and friends need to consider

Two teenagers visit doctors, clinics, and STD educators, and chat with their peers about safe sex. They hear the harsh realities from young people who have been infected with AIDS and other STDs

Teaches teens how to choose the right food portions for their body type. The goal of this program is to teach teens how to correctly visualize food portions using common, easy-to-understand analogies. For example, a portion of protein should be the same size as the palm of your hand; a portion of baked potato is about the size of a computer mouse. Once teens understand the right food portions for their body and metabolism, they can make wiser choices about food portions a every meal

This program presents a gentle, curriculum-based introduction to puberty. Viewers will learn what is "normal" for boys and girls at puberty: the biological facts of physical maturation; the timeline for growth for both sexes; the normal feelings of self-consciousness; the need for good personal hygiene; why mood swings happen; and preparation of the body for human sexuality and reproduction. Includes a discussion of abstinence

This program offers a glimpse into the struggles of teen alcoholics. Viewers will meet four real teens from different ethnic backgrounds who share personal stories of alcohol abuse and recovery. The signs and symptoms of alcoholism are identified. Emphasizes the pervasive negative impact that alcoholism can have on an individual, a family, and society at large. Advice is offered on how to seek help in overcoming alcohol addiction

Prescription drugs like OxyContin, Ritalin, Xanax, Vicodin, and codine-based cough syrup are making headlines around the nation as teens continue to abuse these "legal" drugs, sometimes with fatal results. Sadly, too many teens don't realize how dangerous their experiments can be. The program includes several recent cases of teens that became addicted to prescription drugs and the resulting consequences. Physicians describe how these drugs seriously compromise the brain's functions

This program teaches students how to choose the rights food portions and to avoid "supersizing" at fast food restaurants. Using easy-to-understand analogies, children learn how to visualize proper portion size. For instance, a protein portion should be about the size as the palm of your hand. Also gives practical tips on eating healthy, checking labels, ordering small or medium sizes, and other ideas for reducing portion sizes

Teen drug abuse isn't limited to illicit drugs. Many OTC (over-the -counter) drugs, including cold remedies, laxatives, diet pills, and pain killers can cause serious health problems and even death. This program looks at Traci, who abused laxatives to loose weight, Karl, who was sent to prison for committing a crime while under the influence of OTC's, and Jennifer, who died as a result of abusing cold remedies

Real stories from teenagers who face the hardships of being a teenage parent, who struggle with drug addiction, who tell of fatalities due to drinking and driving and who became HIV infected