Drug Abuse: Altered States

Another installment in the excellent PBS-aired In the Mix series for young adults, this hard-hitting look at teenage drug abuse comes with all the usual hallmarks: fast, edgy editing, creative shooting, a celebrity co-host, and a distinctly teenage perspective. As co-host Art Alexakias, lead singer of the band Everclear states, "drug use comes with a price." He should know: he's been clean a few years now, and barely managed to avoid derailing an extremely successful rock music career. In addition to covering the expected topics of the health and legal risks of drug use, the program also offers an in-depth look at what a rehab center is really like, which might help make an at-risk young viewer think twice. A controversial anti-drug group of teens called Straightedge is also profiled, challenging stereotypes of what a "clean" kid looks like. Although at times the program becomes slightly redundant, the message bears repeating. Recommended. Aud: I, J, H. (E. Gieschen)