ENGLISH LANGUAGE

SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

Candidate name: Latanya Bocan

Candidate#:
Name of School: Iona high
Centre:100166
Year of Examination: 2025
Territory: Jamaica
Teacher: Miss D. Clarke
Theme: Drug Addiction
Topic: How to prevent drug addiction among teenagers

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 Table of Contents
Plan of investigation……………………………………………………………………....3
Artifact 1…………………………………………………………………………….........4-5
Artifact 2…………………………………………………………………………….........5-6
Artifact 3………………………………………………………………………………......6
Reflection 1……………………………………………………………………………......7
Reflection 2……………………………………………………………………………….8
Reflection 3……………………………………………………………………………….9
Group written report……………………………………………………………………...10
Oral presentation….………………………………………………………………………11
Reference …………………………………………………………………………………12

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 PLAN OF INVESTIGATION

The theme my group has selected is Drug Addiction. I chose the topic “How to prevent drug
addiction among teenagers.” This topic has grasped my attention because I’ve seen the effects of
this addiction on teenagers at my school. Additionally, I would like to be a doctor who helps
prevent drug addiction and gives medical help to those in need. As an English student, through
this research, I expect to broaden my vocabulary as well as improve my comprehension and
analytical skills. To support my topic, I will utilize a picture, a YouTube video, and an online
article, these will be source from newspaper, magazines and websites.

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Artefact 1:

Article: Teens and drugs

TEENs & drugs - Jamaica Observer

TEENs & drugs

Marc-Anthony Hart UWI
June 22, 2010
Experimentation with drugs and alcohol is on the increase among TEENs. While the
experimental stage might just be a phase for some there are those who develop a dependency
upon alcohol and drugs.
While drug experimentation for a short period of time may not lead to long-term damaging
effects, drug use for a longer period does have far reaching effects on the TEEN and may lead to
other problems down the line. Long-lasting use of alcohol and drugs in Teenagers can lead to
significant problems down the road.
Just being in high school is a risk factor for TEENs when it comes to alcohol and drug use.
Alcohol consumption and marijuana or “weed” usage are two of the most common drugs in high
school, and studies indicate that nearly every TEEN has tried these at least once.
The average age for trying alcohol is 12, while the average age for trying marijuana is 14.
Among teens, the use of illegal drugs is increasing. The most popular illegal drug includes
cocaine. Risk factors that can lead to a serious teenage alcohol or drug problem include:
Low self-esteem
History of substance abuse in the family
Feeling like an outsider
Warning signs of teenage drug and alcohol abuse
There are many warning signs that may indicate the abuse of drugs and alcohol by TEENs.
Looking out for these signs can help you identify a TEEN, who may be abusing drugs and
alcohol. It is important to note, however, that some of the signs associated with drug and alcohol
abuse may be signs associated with other conditions, such as depression and fatigue.

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Here are some of the issues you may detect if your friend is suffering from drug or alcohol abuse.
Emotional signs of TEEN alcohol and drug abuse: sudden mood swings, irresponsible behaviour,
lack of interest in activities of former interest, personality differences, and low self-esteem.
Physical signs of TEEN alcohol and drug abuse: repeated health problems, persistent cough,
regular headaches, red and distant eyes
Social indications of teenage drug and alcohol abuse: changes in style of dress, less attention to
personal appearance, taking money or valuables from the home
School problems associated with teenage alcohol and drug abuse: falling grades, disciplinary
problems, decreased interest in school activities and extracurricular activities, absence from
school, increased lateness, and negative attitude
Family problems associated with TEEN drug and alcohol abuse: falling grades, disciplinary
problems, decreased interest in school activities and extracurricular activities, absence from
school, increased lateness, and negative attitude
Family problems associated with TEEN drug and alcohol abuse: withdrawing deliberately from
the family, starting arguments, breaking curfew or sneaking out at night
Treatment of TEEN alcohol and drug abuse usually includes counselling for mental and
emotional dependency. Support of friends and family is vital while a Teen-ager is recovering
from alcohol and drug abuse.

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Artefact 2:

YouTube Video By: Partnership to End Addiction posted on August 3, 2022

https://youtu.be/kRjMcZcHHF8?si=n8rs4y8hf3bCDFvD

Artefact 3:

Picture :

ar.inspiredpencil.com

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 REFLECTION 1
Before I started on this topic “Drug addiction” It came to my knowledge that this addiction is an
often-relapsing condition characterized by the compulsive use of drugs.
The article entitled “Teens & drugs” written by Marc-Anthony Hart stated that drug use for a
long period has effects on TEENS and may lead to other problems down the line. Initially I
thought that the use of drugs helped teens when they’re
Peer pressured.
In the video entitled “how to prevent drug use in teens”, I was introduced to ways that we
can prevent drug addiction among teens, the video states that communicating is the single but
most important steps to preventing substance use. Before watching this video, I thought multiply
stress including communication would more likely
Influence them.
The image is a cartoon-style anti-drug poster. It features two characters:
1. A young person, who appears to be rejecting drugs.
2. A syringe with human-like arms and legs, offering drugs.

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 REFLECTION 2
The article Teens and Drugs by Marc-Anthony Hart (June 22, 2010) is an informative piece
addressing teen substance abuse. It uses statistics and facts, such as the average age for trying
alcohol (12) and marijuana (14), to add credibility, urgency, and persuade readers about this
growing issue. The video How to Prevent Drug Use in Teens by Partnership to End Addiction
(August 3, 2022) provides clear explanations on preventing teen substance use. This technique is
effective for both writers and viewers, as it enhances understanding and ensures the message is
easily comprehensible and impactful. In the image above it uses Personification. The syringe is
given human-like features, such as arms, legs, and a face, and is speaking like a person by
saying, "Want to try some?" This makes the drug appear as an active influencer, trying to tempt
the teenager, which reinforces the dangers of peer pressure and drug abuse.

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 REFLECTION 3
What I learnt about this topic “How to prevent drug addiction among teenagers” is that being
addicted can physically and mentally drain you, even when you’re trying to stop it seems like the
hardest thing on earth to do. My experience working in a group was hard because I disliked the
behaviour of students who didn’t show any interest at all. I realize that since I started researching
and studying the different language techniques my writing improved a lot and so did my
summarizing skills. At one point the group members were feeling overwhelmed because we were
moving slow and way behind, but we worked together, created a WhatsApp group and met at
school during our free time to discuss our SBA together. Additionally, we were able to help each
out by communicating and working together.

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 GROUP WRITTEN REPORT
We immediately agreed on our theme, "Drug Abuse and Addiction." Thereafter the subtopics
“The Effect of Drug Abuse on Teenagers “, “How Drugs Affect Mental Health and Cognitive
Functions”, “How To Prevent Drug Addiction Among Teenagers”, “The Impact If Drug
Addiction On Family And Relationship”, “The Impact Of Substance Abuse On Mental Health Of
Teenagers”, were chosen. Initially, the group faced challenges finding relevant artefacts to
support our subtopics, however, through persistent research, we eventually did. From a total of
fifteen artefacts, a vote determined that these three artefacts best represented our theme: a video,
“Teen Substance Use & Abuse …” (2020) by Oasis Mental Health Applications; a song,
“Addiction” (2020) by Burden and an online article, “Mental Health Disorders and Teen
Substance Use.” (2024) by Caroline Miller.
The video “Teen Substance Use & Abuse” provides an in-depth exploration of teen drug use,
covering the types of substances, their health consequences, and the causes of drug use, such as
peer pressure and stress. The video employs persuasive language and an emotional appeal to
effectively communicate its message. We learned that you are not supposed to take unknown
substances, especially from individuals.
The song, “Addiction” explores the destructive nature of addiction. The lyrics focus on the
emotional struggles of addiction, highlighting feelings of hopelessness and the desire for
redemption. The raw lyrics aim to connect with listeners by conveying the inner conflict of those
trapped in addiction. In listening to this song, we have gained knowledge that teens normally use
drugs to numb the pain, fit in, or escape from reality but in the long run, it is hard to overcome.
The online article “Mental Health Disorders and Teen Substance Use” highlights the link
between untreated mental health disorders and teen substance abuse. Using a cause-and-effect
analysis, it emphasizes how emotional struggles like anxiety and depression drive adolescents to
use drugs or alcohol, underscoring the need for mental health support to prevent substance
misuse. In reading this article the group further understood the link between untreated mental
health disorders and teen substance use.
To complete this report, we formed an online group through which we communicated on varying
aspects of the report. Different group members were given sections of the report to write.
Thereafter, we compiled it

In going about this investigation, the group members first decided to choose their own sub-
topics, then their artifacts that were in relation to their subtopics. Secondly, they worked
individually on their own SBA’s until it was time for the group written report. Thirdly they came
together to discuss which three artefacts they were going to use. Seeing that it was a hard
decision they then decided to go on a group call to figure out which three artifacts they were

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going to use, which was where they chose the artifact that was best related to the topic. Finally,
they took the time out to do the group written report at school where it was completed.

ORAL PRESENTATION

Topic: How to prevent drug addiction among teenagers

Genre: Speech
Language Used: Metaphor

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Main Idea: To prevent teens from doing drugs

REFERENCES
Marc-Anthony Hart UWI ( June 22, 2010) Teens and Drugs
TEENs & drugs - Jamaica Observer

Partnership to End Addiction posted on August 3, 2022

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https://youtu.be/kRjMcZcHHF8?si=n8rs4y8hf3bCDFvD

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