Genetics and addiction.

• Author: Volkow, Nora D.

Dear Teacher:

This issue of your Scholastic classroom magazine launches an exciting new year of Heads Up, featuring articles that bring students relevant and cutting-edge news about drug abuse and their health.

Our newest article, "Genetics and Addiction," outlines connections scientists are making between genetics and drug addiction. These findings can help teens understand some of the main factors that play a role in their individual risk for drug addiction.

In addition to showing how drug abuse can run in families, the article outlines other biological and environmental factors that play a part in determining whether or not a person will become addicted to drugs.

I hope you share this article with your students--to provide them with important facts and information that will help them make smart choices in their lives.

Sincerely,

Nora D. Volkow, M.D.

Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Lesson Plan and Worksheet

NATIONAL STANDARDS

Science (NSES, NRC): Life Science: Regulation and Behavior; Science in Personal and Social Perspectives: Risks and Benefits Language Arts (IRA/NCTE): Evaluation Strategies; Evaluating Data

KEY CONCEPTS

* Studies of identical twins show that genes can contribute as much as half of the risk of addiction. No single factor determines whether a person will develop substance-abuse problems. Biological factors, including genetics, as well as a person's environment and drug availability, all influence a person's susceptibility to addiction.

BEFORE READING

* Introduce the topic of "genetics of addiction" by asking students to discuss common physical traits that run in families, such as eye and hair color, or height. What other types of traits--both seen and unseen--do students think are controlled by genes and run in families?

AFTER READING

* How can genes make a person less or more susceptible to addiction?

* Name specific environmental factors that can increase or decrease the risk of addiction.

* In addition to genetics, what are some other biological factors that can contribute to the risk of addiction?

CRITICAL THINKING

* How can genetics research help treat people struggling with addiction?

* Why is it important for teens to know the facts about genetics and other risk factors for drug abuse and addiction?

* How can knowing facts help someone make smarter choices?

WRITING CONCEPT

Ask students to write an essay or a journal entry about traits they may have inherited from their parents and grandparents.

...