This issue in focus.

• Author: Zack, Ian
• Position: Editorial

Dear Teachers,

We know that drugs and addiction can be tough topics to handle in the classroom. But with heroin use--and related deaths--skyrocketing among young people across the country, we also know that it's important to get the conversation started. Our cover story, "Portrait of a Heroin Victim," personalizes this frightening epidemic by focusing on Alysa Ivy, a 21-year-old who died from a heroin overdose last year. Use the story in conjunction with the lesson plan on page 2 of this Teacher's Guide to explore addiction's terrible toll.

For...