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Neuroscience and School's Drug Education? - geodob - 24-09-2005
I would like to introduce the issue of Drug Education in schools, within the context of our discussion.
Whilst we recognize that learning and new experience establishes new physical neural networks in our brains.
I recently listened to a research report that identified what is on reflection rather obvious?
That ‘recreational drugs’ in fact establish new neural networks between brain regions.
Where different ‘types’ of recreational drugs appear to produce their own ‘type’ of new neural network structure.
Which become integrated into the overall neural network.
So that essentially they are causing a change in the physical structure of the brain. Which cause varying changes to each different brain?
My basic point, in relation to our discussion of Education and Neuroscience.
Is that neuroscience provides a different way to approach drug education in schools.
Though I would suggest that this could be a ‘back-door’ way of introducing Neuroscience Education into schools?
Given the spectrum of different recreational drugs commonly available.
Where each type of drug has different neural effects on different brain regions. By the time all types of drugs were covered.
An understanding of all the Brain Regions and Central Nervous System would have been covered.
With the end result, that Student’s would complete schooling with a ‘real’ understanding of recreational drugs. So that as adults, they would have a more informed position to guide their inevitable future use of recreational drugs.
Whilst I am not aware of the curriculum for drug education in schools. I would suggest that the introduction of neuroscience into it. Whilst being beneficial to Students, would also provide Teachers with a different angle to approach the Subject?
As an adjunct to Student’s understanding of neuroscience. It would also provide a platform to introduce the issue of ‘Nutrition’ and the brain?
Which I would suggest is of equal importance.
But perhaps an even greater consequence, is that over time a deeper understanding of the brain would become common knowledge. So that public discussion could occur within an informed public. Which relates to our topic of Neuro-Myths.
Yet, it also has implications for the rapidly emerging international dilemma of the ‘Aging Population’. With people living longer, and the associated costs.
Where brain deterioration presents as a major financial concern internationally.
Though neurosciences revelation of ‘use or lose it’ as a scientific reality. Presents the greatest opportunity to address this impending financial crisis.
Though this is dependent on a General Public that has an informed understanding of Neuro-genesis?
A further case for neuroscience in schooling, is that Students will go on to become Parents, where a notable proportion of their Children will have developmental learning disorders. Where a basic understanding of the Brain will be of significant help.
As an extension of this, it could create a Public that understands the multitude of different ’Disabilities’ at a functional level, instead of simply as Label?
Whilst I seem to have digressed from neuroscience and ‘drug education’?
I am considering the question of how neuroscience could possibly be introduced into the School Curriculum ? Where I can anticipate Student’s response to being advised that they are going to study Neuroscience!
Whereas within the context of Drug Education, this provides a more ‘experiential’ basis to approach the Subject. Given that recreational drugs are a topic that is of more personal relevance to all teenagers. It provides a relevant context to learn about the brain.
So that instead of starting a Lesson by advising a Class that today’s topic is the ‘Cerebellum’, it could be ‘What happens when you get Drunk’? Which I would suggest to be of far more interest and relevance to Students? As well as a basis for the broader discussion of ‘Motor Skills’.
Anyway, this occurred to me as a way of introducing Neuroscience into the Curriculum, addressing various Social Issues, as well as the bottom line of Government Expenditure.
Just a thought?
Geoff.
Neuroscience and School's Drug Education? - segarama - 28-09-2005
Hi Geoff
,This is a very interesting and serious topic....I found an article on Nicotine that may be of interest. URL 9-27-05 retrieved from the internet.
Best,
Rob
URL: http://scienceweek.com/2005/sw050930-3.htm
Neuroscience and School's Drug Education? - elpida - 03-10-2005
You are right. This is a very important issue.
Here in the US, the NIH (National Institutes for Health) has developed a curriculum for understanding brain functioning and addiction ... it's free at
http://science.education.nih.gov/customers.nsf/HSBrain?OpenForm
Also, Alberta (Canada) Learning has developed a curriculum to address prevention of fetal alcohol (which is also free) ...
http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/specialneeds/fasd.asp
I don't know what the political climate is like in Australia, but here in Ohio (I do not know about the rest of the US), it's a tricky matter to get drug/alcohol instruction into the curriculum, particularly when addressing the area of prenatal alcohol/drug consumption and its impact on the fetus. These are considered to be "health" issues (not science), and therefore are occupy a lower priority because there is no mandatory achievement test that addresses their content. As a result, these subjects are generally taken over by either the school psychologist or physical education teacher. It fascinates me (for lack of a better word!) why areas that are so integral to a person's life skills development are viewed by the school systems as being relatively unimportant.
Vicki :-)