Analysis of NIDA Website for Teens - Essay Example

NIDA for teens is a website (http teens.drugabuse.gov/index.php) which gives comprehensive information on the science behind drug abuse. The site contains sufficient material or information on the different types of chemicals or drugs that teens get addicted to. It explains how the chemical reacts on the brain and consequently affects the behavior. It has a page each allotted to steroids, HIV/AIDS, nicotine, marijuana, ecstasy, and other inhalants and stimulants. The website contains interactive video on each of the chemicals that affect the teenagers. To make the understanding firm and accurate, they offer games connected to each of these drugs. Real stories can also be found on the website of those adversely affected by the abuse of drugs. The names of the teenagers are correct while the photo is that of a model to protect anonymity. They have also included downloads like stickers and wall papers. The purpose is not just to attract the teenagers but the stickers are related to abuse and ill-effects of drugs. The idea is to emphasize the ill-effects and really allow it to sink in to the visitors. This would heighten the awareness among the affected group. The above website is a part of http://www.nida.nih.gov/. NIDA for teens targets the teens and specially those between the 8th and the 12th grade. This is an effort by the government and has a step-by-step approach. There are a total of about 30 pages and links to NIDA, NIH and US Department of Health & Human Services have been provided. This enhances the importance of the website as visitors can directly access these sites for additional information. The above website has been designed for the benefit of the teenagers. The parents and teachers are the ones that have great influence on the teenagers and hence one section has been dedicated to the parents and teachers as well. In fact it is very informative for the parents as well as it helps them to guide their children and hold them back when they know their child is on the wrong track. The site contains details of teens between 8th and 12th grade and the amount of drugs in each category consumed by them. This immediately catches the attention of the visitor and urges one to probe further. This site has been developed with the inputs received from the teens so that content addresses the appropriate questions and answers. They have not discussed about the dangers of drugs but have focused on the science behind the drugs. The idea is to allow the teens to grasp and take informed decisions. If it was meant to scare them, it might tempt them to indulge in it. They have used games and quizzes through out the site which helps to clarify their concepts. It helps to test the visitor’s knowledge and if they find they are unable to answer the questions, they would be keen to educate themselves by going deeper into the website. This is very informative website which contains details on the drugs used by teens, how they affect the brain, the type of treatment available for such addicts. The site also contains details on the statistics, for instance how many have been affected by which drug abuse. It provides links to various other resources and makes the pages comprehensive. They have segregated similar pages on the same drug and grouped it together making it easier for navigation. The help section contains details on help, browse and search and has been very well explained which could be helpful even for a first-timer. NIDA has joined hands with Scholastic, a commercial website, dedicated to educate and inform the teens and their parents and teachers on drug abuse. NIDA for teens provides a link to the Scholastic site while also adding a disclaimer that NIDA does not maintain or monitor the contents of this website. An even more interesting part is the Glossary section which has alphabetically arranged words that are not commonly used but are connected to discomforts and diseases that may arise with the use of drugs. These scientific or medical terms are quite unfamiliar to the 11-15 year olds, for whom the website is primarily intended. It may also be unfamiliar to some parents and hence serves as a guide to understand the meaning of such words and explain to their wards or children. A site map has also been provided making it easy to navigate for one and all. Where Flash plug-in is required to view or play the games, a link has been provided so that the visitor need not hunt around to download it. Through music and games it becomes very easy to understand the principles and it has been made interesting for teens of all ages. Otherwise the scientific terms may tend to be boring for the younger teens. This website serves its purpose in educating and informing the teens of the functions of the brain and what drugs can do. It is in simple language, easy to understand and navigate. It is not very useful for a professional clinician because it does not provide guidelines how to help an addict out of the traumatic condition. It also has another limitation. If names and contact details of some of the teens who have experienced addiction and are now out of that state, or even the contact details of parents of such teens were provided, it could help the parents of teens who are currently in that state. It is extremely useful for a chemically dependent layperson or his family members as it has laid out in very simple terms the meaning of drugs, how the brain function in a normal person and how drugs interfere in its normal functioning. This site is highly recommended to the teens, their parents and teachers because of the amount of information it carries and the ease of navigation. However it may not be of much use to clinicians and researchers. Overall, a very impressive site, well designed, informative, educative and provides ease of use. Read More