We have recently covered the story of legalizing marijuana in the states of Colorado and Washington. We were especially shocked by a story that came out shortly after Colorado legalized the sale of marijuana stating that 37 people were killed in the first day the law went into effect. After that, we were more motivated to study the effects of marijuana on the user, and we quickly discovered the story was a hoax. In our research, we learned a lot about the pros and cons of this seemingly recreational drug, and the effects of the drug on it's user. A lot of our misconceptions about the drug were answered. Like the term, "Gateway Drug," is used to describe cigarettes, alcohol, and now marijuana as a path to stronger drugs, these stories were the gateway to our research into stronger more deadly drugs like heroin and methamphetamines.
Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson is a story about Laurel, a teenage girl suffering the loss of her her grandmother and mother in hurricane Katrina in 2005. Laurel is surviving with her father and baby brother, Jessie Jr., in the new town of Galilee, with the promise a new job for dad, new friends, new schools, and a fresh start for the whole family. Laurel quickly discovers a new friend, Kaylee, makes the cheerleading squad, and falls in love with the star player on the basketball team, T-boom. T-boom is the boy of her dreams, and Laurel is immediately hypnotized by his charm. T-boom promises a new life of adventure, and a chance to forget the pain. Unfortunately T-boom's secret to happiness is dependent on the effects of a powerful methamphetamine drug called, Moon. The reader follows Laurel through her almost instantaneous addiction to Moon. Flashbacks give you important memories of her past, her decline into the world of Meth, to her brush with death, and the guardian angel that saves her.
Every student I ever had in DARE has written an essay on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and has promised to grow up making wise decisions about them. Every single one of them swears that they will never smoke cigarettes, yet statistics show that 2 or 3 of them will begin smoking before they leave middle school. What is the power of this seemingly unpopular habit? Why do people start? Are cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana really gateway drugs? In this book, Laurel didn't need a gateway drug. From the information I shared with you, why do you think she started with such a powerful drug?
