1.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT
Candidate Name: Jamela Shukura
Centre # 100367
Candidate #1003671583
Name of School: Irwin High
Name of Teacher: Mrs. K. Bailey-Streete
Year of Exam: 2021
Theme: Drug Abuse
Topic: How does marijuana affect the adolescent’s brain?

2.
Table of Contents
Plan of Investigation Page 1
Artefacts Page 2-3
Reflection 1 Page 4
Reflection 2 Page 5
Reflection 3 Page 6
Group Report Page 7
Plan of Oral Presentation Page 8
References Page 9

3.
PLAN OF INVESTIGATION
The theme that I chose was “Drug Abuse” and my topic is, “How does marijuana affect the
adolescent’s brain?” I became interested in this topic after noticing how many underaged
teenagers abuse marijuana or even have access to other illegal drugs.
As an English student, I expect to improve my English skills and to gain some sort of
knowledge about marijuana. In addition I would like to learn about its harmful effects and
why so many teenagers abuse it.
I will be using a newspaper article, a video and a podcast via the internet browser to gather
information for my investigation.

4.
ARTEFACTS
One Time Use May Alter Teen’s Brain
Dr Derrick Arron
Sunday, July 21, 2020
MANY research reports have revealed that the most harmful effects of ganja on users
are to be found among teenagers.
In 2015, the American Academy of Paediatrics published a technical report stating that
children and adolescents may be harmed when adults have easier access to marijuana for
medical and recreational purposes. It further stated that campaigns to decriminalise or
legalise marijuana could have the effect of persuading teenagers that marijuana is not
dangerous, and this could have a devastating impact on their lifelong health and development.
Prior to that, in an article published in the Sunday Observer on March 1, 2014, before the
decriminalisation of ganja in Jamaica, the country was warned thus:
“We need to be pre-emptive in our approach as we contemplate decriminalising ganja in
Jamaica, and we must concomitantly discuss the safeguards we need to implement to protect
our children. Symptoms of children exposed to marijuana are varied, but are primarily
neurologic. Lawmakers should therefore consider specific requirements when drafting
marijuana legislation to minimise the effects on children. Such requirements would include
child-resistant packaging, warning labels, and public education.”

5.
Protecting
In Jamaica, we do a very poor job of protecting a significant portion of our children, and in
respect of the inhalation of ganja, a major challenge is how to reduce contact between
children and ganja within the home, or eradicate the belief that 'a little weed good fi di youth
dem'.
Ganja affects children's ability to learn, thereby blighting their future prospects for effectively
competing intellectually in the global marketplace. The report of the American Association of
Pediatrics reminded that marijuana can affect memory and concentration, and interfere with
learning in children and adolescents — making it harder for them to complete high school or
pursue a university degree.
Article: One Time Ganja Use May Alter Teen’s Brain
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/your-health-your-wealth/one-time-ganja-use-may-alter-
teen-s-brain_170438?profile=1213
Video: By Hamilton Health Sciences (October 15,2018) Entitled: (Cannabis & Youths)
https://youtu.be/OiO97mvKeN8
Podcast: By Adurey Hamilton (2014) Entitled: (Marijuana The Brain Changer)
https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/marijuana-brain

6.
Reflection 1
The article entitled ‘One Time Ganja Use May Alter Teen’s Brain’ written by Dr
Arrons stated that smoking at a young age can cause psychotic illnesses. Initially I thought
that the use of marijuana clears the mind and allowed one to think clearly. After reading this
article, I found out that it alters the brains of youths making them unable to make sound
decisions.
In the video entitled, “Cannabis & Youth”, I was introduced to statistical data
showing evidence of how popular the smoking of marijuana is among youths and how
addicting it can be. Before watching this video, I thought that it was impossible to become
addicted after a few uses.
In the podcast entitled, ‘Marijuana The Brain Changer,’ it highlighted that nowadays
teenagers are actually using marijuana more than adults for recreational purposes. Before
listening, I thought that adults were actually the ones that use marijuana more than teenagers.

7.
Reflection 2
In the article ‘One Time Use May Alter Teen’s Brain’ by Dr Arrons, the dominant
technique that was used is anecdotal evidence. For example, it made reference to publications
done in 2014 & 2015. This was effective because it makes the information seem credible and
factual.
In the video on ‘Cannabis & Youths’ by Hamilton Health Sciences, the dominant
technique that was used is rhetorical question. For example, “Does marijuana cause
behavioural changes?”. This was effective because it made the viewers think deeply about
whether or not marijuana causes behavioural changes.
In the podcast, ‘Marijuana the Brain Changer’ by Audrey Hamilton, a metaphor was
used. An example of metaphor is, “Years ago, there was a public service announcement
aimed at teenagers that showed an egg in a frying pan. The announcer said “this is your brain
on drugs.” This was effective because it made a comparison between the egg in the frying
pan and a teen’s brain on drugs, so that the listener would have an understanding of what
drugs actually do to the brain.

8.
Reflection 3
This SBA has made me a better person by helping me to work more effectively in
groups, display better time management and improve my English skills. It also has helped me
to gain new knowledge. The process of carrying out this SBA was not easy; it took a lot of
time and research to carefully put everything together. The evidence I had researched had
also helped me with my oral presentation and writing skills.
Working in groups has taught me teamwork and how working together is a good trait
to possess. I find it easier to co-operate and be more patient because I had to listen to my
fellow group members and help them if they did not understand and the reverse is true if I did
not understand. This SBA taught me better time management because I had to put other
things aside, focus on and also complete it. I also obtained better English skills through
carrying out this SBA because I learnt new words and improved my vocabulary in the
process.

9.
Written Report
This Assessment started out with our teacher explaining what it was about, further
into the conversation she allowed us to place ourselves into groups. The process of selecting
our theme was quite simple for us, under the supervision of our teacher, we had put all of our
ideas together and merged it into one theme. Once we knew our theme, we began to create
and choose our individual topics and objectives.
Each group member had a different topic, as such finding three sources of data our
theme was not easy. The use of the World Wide Web was very beneficial of gathering the
information we needed to complete this assessment. In conducting this assessment, we had
very positive outcomes as our writing, reading and comprehension and grammatical skills
were improved. In completing this School Based, we found out that people don’t only
become rug addicts because of peer pressure or stress, they also become drug addicts because
of environmental factors. We were also enlighten with the measures in place to stem drug
abuse, some of which are individual or group therapy or rehabilitation.
While completing this research our knowledge on marijuana was broadened and we
are now aware of how harmful it can be and how to avoid it. Our aim was to examine the
causes, effects, measures to be taken for drug abuse and drug addiction. Our objectives were
met and we were able to complete the assessment in the time period that was given to us. In
conclusion at the end of the research each person was able to improve their English skills and
learn to cooperate with other to achieve a common goal.

10.
Oral Presentation
Theme: Drugs
Topic: How does marijuana affect the adolescent’s brain?
Genre: Poem
Source: ‘Marijuana The Brain Changer’ Audrey Hamilton
Language Used: Standard English and dialect.
Main Idea: To encourage students not to smoke marijuana.

11.
References
Arrons, D. (2020, July 21). One Time Use May Alter Teen’s Brain
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/your-health-your-wealth/one-time-ganja-use-may-alter-
teen-s-brain_170438?profile=1213
Hamilton Health Sciences 2020, October 15). Cannabis & Youth
https://youtu.be/OiO97mvKeN8
Hamilton. A. (2014) Marijuana The Brain Changer)
https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/marijuana-brain