Susie Acevedo

Bioteach2k@aol.com

DEWITT CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL

INTRODUCTION

John is a 4 year old African American. On November 2002, his parents wanted to spend time with their family when during a trip their vehicle was impacted by a drunk driver. In the act, his parents perished and now, he is an orphan living in a foster family.

It was 3:00 and a nearby police precinct received a phone call from a terrified woman, yelling and screaming: “He is going to kill me” Please hurry, Help me……Please, please….” That was her last word. She was beaten to death by her husband. He was affected by a well-known sickness called alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a condition that involves physical dependence on the drug alcohol, but genetic, psychological and social factors contribute to an addiction.

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, about 14 million Americans abuse alcohol. Each year more than 100,000 Americans die of alcohol-related causes. Alcoholism is one of the most common preventable causes of death among Americans.

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse cause major social, economic and public health problems in the United States. The annual cost of lost productivity and health expenses related to alcoholism is more than $150 billion.

Due the constant increase of the number of cases of alcoholism, the US Congress hadcalled upon you as part of a team expert to work in drafting a proposal about Alcoholism and Prevention .

TASK

Þ You have to write a proposal in which you have to include the following:

1- Introduction

a- Tell me what you know about this topic.

b- Express what you think you will learn from this project.

c- You must make a statement about your topic (what you are writing about).

2- Body

a- Minimum 5 paragraphs.

b- Remember there is only one idea in each paragraph.

c- Describe in details what scientists or people in the field think about this topic.

d- In order of importance, specify what you have learned from the article, books or other sources that you have consulted prior to your project.

e- Remember the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW, AND WHY questions will help you to complete this topic.

3- Conclusion

a- Tell me what you have learned

b- Express the impact or effect of this topic on the world.

c- Express the impact or effect of this topic on your life.

d- Vision for the future – suggestions – open door for new research or new studies.

PROCESS

1. Find the books, articles or information you will use to write your proposal.

2. Read and make notes about the important concepts or issues on your topic.

Ø Research the sources listed below in order all the following questions.

Ø Use the six step public policy analysis work sheets before writing your report.

www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/TIPS.html

(1) Define the problem

(2) Gather evidence

(3) Identify causes

(4) Evaluate policy in place

(5) Develop solutions

(6) Benefits & Costs

Ø After you complete your six worksheets, begin writing a first draft. Create a draft of five pages report that will be submitted to the US CONGRESS.

Ø Offer a final presentation describing your findings. Your group will have 15 minutes for the oral presentation.

Ø MODEL: This will be graded by creativity, neatness, accuracy/ information (by the Teacher)

Ø ORAL PRESENTATION: This will be graded on grammar, organization and information presented.(by your peers)

Ø WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT: This will be graded on grammar, spelling and information provided.(by the Teacher)

RESOURCES

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alcoholism.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com

http://www.alcoholism-cer.com

http://alcoholism.about.com/health/alcoholism/

http://www.interventionguide.com

http://www.alcoholism-cer.com/

EVALUATION:

Criteria for a Written Project

Max Points

	4	3	2	1
Introduction	All questions were answered completely and rationales for the answers were clearly stated.	All questions were answered completely, but rationales for the all the answers were not clearly stated.	Not all questions were answered completely, or greater than 2 rationales for the all answers were not clearly stated.	All questions were not answered completely.	25
Task (which includes cover page)	All areas of the task were addressed and handled with a high degree of sophistication. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a great deal of thought.	At least one area of the task was not addressed. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a great deal of thought.	At least two areas of the task were not addressed. The plan followed by the team demonstrated a moderate level of thought.	The task is incomplete and/or it is apparent that little effort went into the development of the task.	25
Public Policy/ Solution Originality	The ideas expressed by the body of work demonstrate a high degree of originality. Used all six PPA worksheets	The ideas expressed by the body of work are mostly original. The group may have improved upon a previous idea. Used four or five PPA worksheets	The ideas expressed by the body of work demonstrate a low degree of originality. Used two or three PPA worksheets	There were no original ideas expressed in this project. Used one or no PPA worksheets	25
Grammar, Format , and Spelling	The final body of work was free of grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.	The final body of work had 1 error related to either grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.	The final body of work had 3-5 grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.	The final body of work had major grammar, spelling, and formatting errors.	25
				TOTAL	100

CONCLUSION

Alcoholism represents nowadays a serious problem for our society. The government should take tougher laws against irresponsible drunk drivers. In addition, the government should take measures that can reduce the risk of alcohol abuse and offer alternative to people that are severely suffered from alcoholism. In hence, it has to create a task force agency which primary mission is a zero tolerance against anyone who breaks the law. The long term health risks, the chance to alcoholic pregnant women to give birth to a child with Fetal alcohol syndrome, the multiple family disruption, the death and tears that bring to many families makes it an imperative for any decent society to fight against this plague called alcoholism.

New York State Standard for Science:

Science Standard 4

Students will: understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

English Standard 1

Students will read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding.

As listeners and readers, students will collect data, facts, and ideas discover relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and use knowledge generated from oral, written, and electronically produced texts. As speakers and writers, they will use oral and written language to acquire, interpret, apply, and transmit information.