Teaching plan with local inmates......

[Carla25]

My group (nursing students) finally chose a topic to present to the local womens correctional facility in my town. We chose "Health Topics Related to substance abuse"

The topics we are covering are: Meth, heroin, alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drug abuse.

My question is Does anyone have any ideas to help the women get involved with our teaching plan. We have one hour to present it. I was thinking of a video, but most videos that I found are an hour long, I just want the women to get the best experience out of our teaching plan.

Any ideas to help?????:bowingpur

[ddc101]

Just my thoughts but it seems the thing incarcerated women need training on the most is community services and common usable information.

Most don't have job skills or any idea how to get a college education

or where to apply for housing etc.Many are codependant and drug

education seems such a low man on the totem pole.

Many are not trapped in the lifestyle because of not knowing the

health issues facing the drug abuse.Many are trapped due to

feeling oppressed and because of poor relationships.These relationships

lead to drug abuse.Just some thoughts.

[fiestynurse]

Just my thoughts but it seems the thing incarcerated women need training on the most is community services and common usable information.

Most don't have job skills or any idea how to get a college education

or where to apply for housing etc.Many are codependant and drug

education seems such a low man on the totem pole.

Many are not trapped in the lifestyle because of not knowing the

health issues facing the drug abuse.Many are trapped due to

feeling oppressed and because of poor relationships.These relationships

lead to drug abuse.Just some thoughts.

ddc101 - I very much agree with what you have said here. Although, information on drug abuse and it's health effects are important, most of these women know what the drugs and alcohol are doing to them. Most come from abusive environments. Many have histories of horrible childhood sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, and poverty. They don't know how to break the cycle and keep making bad choses.

Topics that I would recommend:

1) Domestic Violence - Education on the cycle of abuse and how to get out of an abusive relationship. Self-esteem training would be great. What resources are available in the community to assist them? Shelters? Counseling?

2) Education - How can they get their GED? Job training? Again, what resources within the facility or in the community are available to assist them?

How can they overcome learning disabilities? What resources are available to assist with dyslexia, ADD, etc. Personal struggles from some of you nursing students would be very powerful.