Drugs

Intermediate 1 Biology

Unit 1 – Health and Technology

Introduction

• Humans have used drugs of one sort or another for thousands of years

-wine was used at least from the time of the early Egyptians

-narcotics from 4000 BC

-medicinal use of marijuana has been dated to 2737BC in China

Types of Drugs-Stimulants

• Drugs that act on the central nervoussystem and increase brain activity.

• Some give feelings of alertness, greaterenergy and confidence.

• They may also reduce appetite

Examples of Stimulants

• Cocaine • Crack • Ecstasy • Alkyl Nitrites e.g. poppers• Amphetamines • Nicotine

Types of Drugs-Depressants

• Drugs that act on the central nervous system and slow down brain activity.

• Impaired co-ordination, balance and judgement are common.

• Higher doses can lead progressively to drowsiness, vomiting, coma and even death.

Examples of Depressants

• Volatile substances or sniffable substances (eg glues, gases, aerosols)

• Alcohol

• Tranquillisers

• GHB (Gamma hydroxy-butyrate)

Types of Drugs-Hallucinogens

• Drugs that act to change the way users experience the world through the five senses.

• Sometimes this involves seeing, and hearing things which aren't there.

Examples of Hallucinogens

• Cannabis

• LSD

• Magic mushrooms

• Ketamine

Types of Drugs - Analgesics

• Drugs that have a painkilling effect.e.g. -heroin

-opium-morphine

Types of Drugs – Anabolic Steroids

• Drugs that promote muscle growth and increase lean body mass.

• These drugs mostly have legitimate medical uses

• They are often misused by those wishing to enhance their athletic performance or strength.

Statistics

• The following statistics are from the results of a major national survey of secondary schoolchildren aged 11-15 published by the Department of Health (DH) in 2002.

• 12% of pupils had used illegal drugs in the last month and 20% had used illegal drugs in the last year

• 13% of boys reported taking drugs in the last month compared to 11% of girls

• Use increased with age. Six percent of 11-year-olds had used drugs in the last year compared to 39% of 15-year-olds

Cannabis is the most likely drug to have been used, with 13% of pupils reporting use in the last year.

Cannabis use also increases sharply with age with 1% of 11-year-olds having used the drug in past year compared with 31% of 15-year-olds

Class A drugs had been used by 4% of 11-15 year olds. One percent say they used heroin or cocaine

Risks of Using Drugs

• Risks vary according to:-circumstances of the use-the motivation and knowledge level of the user-their mood and expectation at the time of use-the manner of use-size of dose-purity of the sample

Risks Factors Involved in Drug Taking

• Users can never be sure of exactly what they are taking

• Not knowing the strength of what has been bought could lead to an accidental overdose (which may be life-threatening)

• Users can't be precisely sure of the effect the drug will have, even if they have taken it before.

• Sharing dirty needles or syringes carries a risk of serious infections

• Mixing drugs, or drugs with alcohol

• Getting a criminal record.

• Effects on relationships, financial pressures, reducing judgement or performance etc.

Class A Drugs

• Amphetamines (speed) - if prepared for injection

• Cocaine and crack • Ecstasy • Heroin • LSD (acid) • Magic mushrooms - if prepared for

use.

Possession of Class A Drugs

• Possession: -seven years prison and/or a fine

• Possession with intent to supply-life imprisonment and/or a fine

Class B Drugs

• Amphetamines (speed)

• Possession-five years prison and/or a fine

• Possession with intent to supply-14 years prison and/or a fine

Class C Drugs

• Anabolic steroids • Cannabis • Mild amphetamines • GBH • Tranquillisers DF 118 (painkillers)

Possession of Class C Drugs

• Possession-two years prison and/or a fine

• Possession with intent to supply-14 years prison and/or a fine

• http://www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk/drugs/drugmenu.html

• http://www.sorted4.info/html/400/430.html

• http://www.stonerlemmings.com

• http://www.lifebytes.gov.uk/drugs/drugs_facts.html

Useful Websites

This powerpoint was kindly donated to www.worldofteaching.com

http://www.worldofteaching.com is home to over a thousand powerpoints submitted by teachers. This is a completely free site and requires no registration. Please visit and I hope it will help in your teaching.