Students in Milligan’s Substance Abuse class recently had a presentation of “Manda’s Story” by Dr. Mann Spitler. Spitler’s daughter Manda died from a lethal dose of heroin in 2002. His purpose in sharing the details of her addiction and subsequent death is to prevent drug abuse and addiction.
“It’s an elective, but and in my opinion a class that every student at the high school level should take,” says Dave Milligan, teacher of physical education, health and substance abuse at Chesterton High School. Milligan believes this is important information for students of all ages. Parents and schools working together to make sure children of all ages have the necessary information to make good decisions in their lives.
The course "Substance Abuse" focuses on the health aspects of drug use and abuse and the reality of addiction. In addition to Dr. Spitler coming to address the class with "Manda's Story," the course offers other reality-based activities. For example, the students are taken to the Porter County Sheriff's Department where a troubled young adult, typically not much older than the students, will tell their story about drugs and addiction and how it lead them down a path of destruction. Afterwards, the students are given a run-down by the Sheriff regarding how drugs have lead a large majority of prisoners to a life of destruction and most often times, death. The students are then given a tour of the facility.
Students are also visited by recovering addicts from Frontline Rehabilitation Center. Again, recovering addicts tell their stories regarding emotional problems, social problems, family problems, school problems, and emotional problems.
Finally, the Porter County coroner comes in and reveals death as it relates to substance abuse.
These are many of the activities and events that take place during a semester of Substance Abuse class at Chesterton High School.
Topics and units that are focused on include narcotics, alcohol, nicotine, other stimulants, other depressants, cannabis, inhalants, hallucinogens, and anabolic steroids.