The Truth About Drugs

– I am here to EDUCATE you and provide you with true, FACTUAL information (not my opinion)

– Life is all about choices; I cannot make these choices for you. What I can do is provide you with factual information so that you have the ability to make informed decisions.

– Knowledge = Power (sounds cheesy, but it’s true!)

– http://www.drugfreeworld.org/#/documentaries/truth-about-drugs-documentary-intro (8min)

• Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug overall (other than caffeine)– Alcohol-related incidents (car accidents, alcohol

poisoning, etc.) are the 2nd leading cause of teen death in the US. 1st cause= car accident

– Legal drinking age: 21

• Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug

• To fit in• To escape or relax• To relieve boredom• To seem grown up• To rebel • To experiment• What else?

People believe drugs are the solution. But eventually, drugs become the problem.

• Drug Misuse- taking or using medicine in a way that is not intended.– Ex: taking 4 Tylenol for a headache instead of the

recommended 1-2• Drug Abuse- intentionally using drugs in a way

that is unhealthy or illegal.– Ex: taking a prescription medicine that is not

prescribed to you– Ex: taking a prescription medicine as it was not

intended (taking a pain killer to achieve a “high” and not to relieve pain)

Which is worse?

• Despite knowing how horrible, dangerous, and expensive addiction is, people still try drugs every day. Why? They think that they are different—that they will not get addicted.

• Addiction does not discriminate— rich, poor, urban, rural, good family life, bad family life, educated, illiterate, young or old.

• NO ONE is invincible.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f1nmqiHIII

•Synthetic- man-made

•Gateway- leading to other drugs

•Tolerance- when a person’s body becomes used to a drug or medicine and needs greater and greater amounts of it to feel the same effect

-Does this cause the gateway effect??

•Potency- strength of drug

•Carcinogen- cancer-causing chemicals

• Euphoria- intense feelings of wellbeing, happiness, excitement, and joy; drug users feel this during a “high”

• Illicit- illegal

• Rehabilitation- the process of medical and psychological treatment for dependence on drugs or alcohol (helps people recover from addiction)

• Teens who use illegal drugs may stop pursuing their interests and goals

• May lead to other risky behaviors (such as?)

• Drug use is a leading factor in teen depression and suicide

• Drug use is directly related to violence

• Drug use puts a burden on family and friends.

•Depressants- Slow down activity in the brain and body; decrease heart rate and blood pressure

•Stimulants- Speed up activity in the brain and body; increase heart rate and blood pressure

•Hallucinogens- Cause user to perceive things differently than they actually are; user may see things that are not really there

• Dissociative Anesthetics- inhibit pain by cutting off the brain’s perception of pain

• Narcotic Analgesics- relieve pain and induce euphoria; create mood changes in the user

• Inhalants- Breathable substances that produce mind-altering results and effects.

• Cannabis- Marijuana– Active ingredient that causes high= tetrahydrocannabinol

(THC)

• Depressant• Short-term effects- impaired judgment, coordination,

slurred speech, memory loss• Long-term effects- liver damage, increased risk of

heart disease, decreased brain function, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pregnant motherchild)

• Binge Drinking (5+ drinks in a short period of time) can lead to alcoholism.

• It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy, possess, or consume alcohol.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHVd_ydoG8s

• Cannabis

• Short-term effects- Memory problems, distorted perceptions (sights, sounds, time, touch), trouble thinking and problem-solving, loss of coordination, increase heart rate, and anxiety.

• Long-term effects- Can cause psychotic symptoms, depression, damage to heart and lungs, weakens immune system and affects hormones.

• Vs. Cigarettes– 50%-70% more carcinogens (420 vs. 200)– 5 joints=full pack of cigarettes (more smoke, deeper

inhalation, etc)Medical use?– For the average, healthy person, marijuana has NO

health benefits (see above)– The only time marijuana is helpful medically is when

a person is extremely sick. For example, cancer patients may need it in order to have an appetite/be able to eat.

– Gateway or Stepping Stone Drug?

• Pain killer; extremely addictive

• Short-term effects- Clouded thinking, nausea and vomiting, heart functions and breathing severely slowed; user can become addicted after just one use

• Long-term effects- Collapsed veins, soft-tissue infections, liver and kidney damage, diseases from injection (HIV/AIDS) and death from overdose

• Must be prescribed by a medical professional

• OxyContin- painkiller just as addictive and potent as heroin

• Vicodin- painkiller

• Valium- depressant

Prescription pills are responsible for more overdose deaths in the US than cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and amphetamines combined.

• Pain Killers only mask the pain for which they are taken and do not “cure” anything.

• Short-term effects- physical dependence with severe withdrawal symptoms ; severe pain until next dose is taken

• Long-term effects- Liver damage, mood changes, and death from overdose.

• One of the hardest addictions to ‘kick’

• Inhalant category– obviously

• Short-term effects- slurred speech, impaired judgment, nausea, coughing, nosebleeds, fatigue, and lack of coordination; death by heart attack or suffocation; Starves body of oxygen.

• Long-term effects- Lose sense of smell, nausea and nosebleeds, may develop liver, lung and kidney problems. Loss of muscle mass, tone and strength.

• Hallucinogen; synthetic drug made in laboratory

• Also known as MDMA• Mixing Ecstasy & alcohol is extremely dangerous

• Short-term effects- Impaired judgment, confusion, depression, anxiety, paranoia, teeth clenching, sweating, and severe dehydration which can lead to death after first use

• Long-term effects- Permanent brain damage affecting the person’s judgment and thinking ability.

• Stimulant; synthetic

• Short-term effects- aggression, irritability, anxiety, hyperactivity, delusions of power, hallucinations, paranoia and convulsions resulting in death.

• Long-term effects- Increased heart rate and blood pressure, damage to blood vessels in brain leading to strokes or irregular heartbeat and death. Liver, kidney and lung damage. Brain damage including memory and inability to grasp thoughts. Severe mood swings.

• Acetone• Anhydrous Ammonia• Battery Acid• Chloroform• Drain Cleaner• Freon• Rubbing Alcohol• Iodine

One of the hardest addictions to breakhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/

body/faces.html

• Stimulant

• Short-term effects- can’t sleep or eat properly. Increased heart rate, muscle spasms and seizures. Paranoia, anger, anxiety. Heart attack and stroke that can cause immediate death.

• Long-term effects- Irritability, mood disturbances, hallucinations, paranoia, depression

• Stimulant; most potent form of cocaine

• Short-term effects- same as cocaine

• Long-term effects- damage to heart, liver and kidneys. Sleep deprivation and malnutrition. Extreme tolerance build up

• Hallucinogens- derived from an extremely poisonous fungus plant

• Short-term effects- High body temperature, increase heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, tremors (intense body shaking). Severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of insanity and death, and feelings of despair. May commit suicide due to a bad “trip”

• Long-term effects- Flashbacks, long lasting psychosis (basically being out of touch with reality, not being able to communicate clearly; a permanent feeling of being “out of it”)

What questions do you have for me??