Club Connect: Substance Abuse Show

We all know what happens to teen alcoholics, smokers, and drug addicts, right? They end up on television, filmed in loving MTV-style, sharing their stories about the wonder years of just getting high, partying hardy, and stealing for drug money. Oh yeah, there's also the down side--low self-esteem, drifting away from friends and family, and--worst case scenario--death. But except for a trip to the ER where kids hear about crack overdoses and drunk driving accidents, the Substance Abuse Show is precisely that...a show. And like most shows, it's first obligation is to entertain: that's why we get such filler as a Jerry Seinfeld interview (who says nothing about substance abuse) and a music video by Smashing Pumpkins. Will kids want to watch this? Sure. Will they be dissuaded from substance abuse by the program? Doubtful. There are too many other good videos out there on the subject that don't use kid gloves to warrant recommending this one (in the PBS stable alone, where Club Connect originates, the Soapbox series has several substance abuse entries which are better choices). An optional purchase. (R. Pitman)