Drugs 6th Grade Health

Do Now: Answer the question below in your note books. Why do people choose to use alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs when they are aware of the detrimental effects.

Drugs A drug is any substance that changes how the mind or body works. Different kinds of DRUGS Drugs that are for everyone Drugs that are legal for adults Medicines Illegal Drugs

Factors that Affect a Person’s Reaction to Drugs Weight- A lighter person needs less of a drug to feel the same effects that a heavier person feels from a drug. Mood- Drugs can intensify your mood. Food- Having food in the stomach can decreases the strength of some drugs. Mixing- mixing different drugs can change how they affect the mind and body. Amount– taking more of a drug causes a stronger reaction. Allergies– Some people have allergies to certain drugs, causing unexpected and dangerous reactions to the drug.

Ways Drugs enter the body Ingestion – swallowed Inhaled – breathing in fumes Injected – through needle Absorbed – through the skin

What is a Medicine? Medicine – is a drug that is used to cure, treat, or prevent pain, disease, and illness. Medicine can take the form of pill, liquid, syrup, cream, or spray.

Medicine Over-the-Counter Medicines are medicines that can be bought without a doctor’s written order. Prescription Medicines are medicines that can be bought only with a written order, or prescription, from a doctor or other licensed professional. Side effects - are unexpected changes in the body or mind that are caused by medicines

Drug unit terms and Vocabulary Controlled Substance - drugs that are used illegally without a prescription. Also know as illicit drugs. Drug Addiction – is the uncontrollable use of a drug. Dependence – means needing the drug in order to function properly. Physical dependence – is the body’s chemical need for a drug. Psychological dependence – is a person’s emotional or mental need for a drug Tolerance – is the body’s ability to resist the effects of a drug. Withdrawal – is the process that occurs when a addicted person stops taking a drug. Overdose - is taking more of a drug than a person’s body can safely process.

Classifications of Drugs Stimulants Depressants Hallucinogens Narcotics Inhalants

Gateway Drugs A Gateway drug is a drug that introduces people to drug use, increasing the risk that they will try stronger drugs. Common Gateway Drugs: are Tobacco, Alcohol, and Marijuana.

Marijuana Marijuana – is the dried leaves and flowers of the cannabis (KAN uh BIS) plant Marijuana produces a wide range of effects, which can differ from person to person. Some users experience depressant like effects while others experience stimulant like effects. Examples of some of marijuana’s effects: Mild euphoria Distortion of time and distance Reduced energy and coordination Increased sensitivity to sights and sounds Increased appetite Decreased memory Reaction time slower Can cause user to do poorly in school or work Can cause lung cancer, emphysema and circulatory problems THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the active chemical substance in marijuana

Stimulants Stimulants – are drugs that speed up the brain and heart. Some consequences of stimulant use can be heart attacks, strokes or even Death. Examples of stimulants: are Caffeine, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine.

Depressants Depressants – are drugs that slow the body down. Some consequences of depressant use are low breathing and heart rates, breathing failure, a coma, and in some cases death. Examples of Depressants: are alcohol, tranquilizers, barbiturates, rohypnol (date rape drug)

Hallucinogens Hallucinogens – are strong drugs that make people see and hear thing that do not exist. Some Hallucinogens will cause people to do dangerous things that they otherwise would not do. They can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, violent thinking, psychosis, memory loss, brain damage, coma, and death Examples of Hallucinogens: are LSD (acid), Magic Mushrooms (shrooms),PCP (angel dust), and Mescaline

Narcotics Narcotics - a drug that in moderate doses dulls the senses and relieves pain. Narcotics can be very addictive. Narcotics slow heart rate, breathing, and brain activity. In large amounts they can be fatal. Examples: heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, opium, methadone.

Inhalants Inhalants – are chemical products that have strong fumes, or odors. Inhalants may cause lightheadedness, dizziness, nosebleeds, nausea, headaches, and in some cases death. Common Inhalants are household cleaners, spray paint, some glues, and gasses such as freon and nitrous oxide.

Drug Abuse Drug Misuse – is the accidental incorrect use of a drug Drug Abuse – is the purposeful incorrect use of drugs or the use of an illegal drug.