J. DRUG EDUCATION, Vol. 9(4), 1979 FILMS AND DRUG EDUCATION MARGARET A. SHEPPARD, M.ED. MICHAEL S. GOODSTADT, PH.D. Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario ABSTRACT A great many films have been made that deal with all aspects of drugs, their use and abuse. Some of these films are directed at young people within the school setting and are intended as part of drug education programs. Some insights as to what is happening in this specific area are discussed. INTRODUCTION Several studies have recently been conducted examining the uses of drug education films [ 1-31 . The first study, as part of a promotion for a film review service, asked elementary and secondary school teachers about their use of drug education films and their expectations of such films. The second study was to make an inventory of drug education materials, including films, in public and school libraries. The third study reported on students’ perceptions of use and their evaluation of drug education films. Many similarities emerged from these three studies having implications for drug education in general and drug education films in particular. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In most jurisdictions in North America drug education is prescribed for elementary and secondary schools. Guidelines for its teaching are set out by local boards of education, and curricula are developed to facilitate teaching. Films and printed material are produced as resource, back-up and information packages. Studies are done on 371 0 1979, Baywood Publishing Co.. Inc. doi: 10.2190/58W2-4E48-VD05-Y1DQ http://baywood.com