AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Hodder Education Revision Lessons

The use and abuse of drugs

The use and abuse of drugs

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AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Overview

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A drug is a substance that alters the way the body works.Drugs can be split into three main categories:

• medicinal drugs — used to prevent or fight diseases and other health problems

• recreational drugs — used for pleasure• performance-enhancing drugs — used to improve strength,

speed etc.

How many drugs in each of the categories above do you know?

AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Medicinal drugs

Drugs have been used for thousands of years to cure ailments.All drugs have some potential side effects that can affect people (as in the case of thalidomide) and so have to be thoroughly tested through clinical trials.

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What are the ethical issues involved in testing new drugs on animals?What are the ethical issues involved in testing new drugs on people?

AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Thalidomide

Thalidomide was developed for sleeping problems but it was found to relieve morning sickness in pregnant women. However it also caused their children to have deformed limbs. It was banned, but it is now used for treating leprosy.

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AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Performance-enhancing drugs

Whenever there have been competitions, there have been people prepared to cheat. Drugs have been used to improve:

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• strength — steroids build muscle• size — HGH (human growth hormone) increases height• stamina — EPO is used in endurance sports such as cycling• precision — beta-blockers can improve ability in sports such

as snooker

These drugs all have known side effects.

AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Recreational drugs

Drugs are taken by some people for pleasure despite their proven harmful side effects. Examples are:

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• alcohol — causes liver and brain damage• tobacco — lung cancer and emphysema• marijuana — mental problems• solvents — brain damage

People who use illegal hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine use, or have used, recreational drugs.

AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Alcohol

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Classification Effects on the body

It is illegal for anyone under the

age of 18 to buy alcoholic drinks.

It is illegal for someone over 18 to

supply alcoholic drinks to

someone under 18.

• Feel relaxed

• Lose inhibitions

• Can become loud and sometimes

aggressive

• Unconsciousness

• Increased blood pressure

• Possible liver and brain damage

AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Solvents

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Classification Effects on the body

It is illegal for a retailer to sell a

solvent to anyone under the age

of 18 if they believe it will be used

for inhaling to cause intoxication.

• Brief feeling of euphoria

• Lose inhibitions

• Blurred vision

• Dizziness

• Blackouts

• Possible lung, liver and brain damage

Glue, lighter fluid, paint thinners, correcting fluid

AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Cocaine

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Classification Effects on the body

Class A or ‘hard’ drug.

Illegal to possess or sell.

• Feeling of well-being and confidence

• Increased heart rate and blood

pressure

• Highly addictive

• Depression

• Mental health problems

AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Heroin

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Classification Effects on the body

Class A or ‘hard’ drug.

Illegal to possess or sell.

• Feeling of well-being

• Drowsiness

• Blurred vision

• Vomiting

• Highly addictive

• Can cause a coma or death when

taken in large amounts

AQA GCSE Science & Additional Science

Biology 1 Topic 3

Recreational drugs — what do you think?

• Do you think drugs like cannabis should be legalised?• What are the advantages and disadvantages?• What would happen if all drugs were made legal?• What are your views on this?

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