Truth about DRUGS EWHS Health

Drugs as Medicines Purpose of Medicine: to prevent disease, aid in curing, relieve symptoms, bring wanted effects Over the Counter (OTC) – need the right one, do not overuse, maybe masking serious illness Prescription – can be easily abused & misused, based on body weight, age etc. .

STIMULANTS INCREASES THE RATE OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS), THE HEART AND OTHER ORGANS

EXAMPLES - STIMULANTS Cocaine/Crack Amphetamine Methamphetamine Ritalin Caffeine Nicotine

Cocaine Illegal very addictive drug made from the leaves of the coca tree. Cocaine use can increase irritability, restlessness, panic attacks, and paranoia. May cause psychosis, the individual loses touch with reality.

Amphetamines/MethAmphetamines Addictive, club drug, aggressive behavior, damages skin and gums sores, damage to brain cells, never can achieve initial high Delusional feelings of power that can create serious consequences. May lead to psychosis, much like that experienced by schizophrenics.  Next Slide: The Faces of Meth

Ritalin/Adderall A prescription drug given to people with ADD or ADHD It is an amphetamine drug that speeds up the CNS It has opposite effect on people with ADD/ADHD

Nicotine The addictive substance in tobacco 40+ cancer causing substances (carcinogens) Smokeless tobacco aborbs more carcinogens into bloodstream than cigarettes Tar is the dark sticky substance that causes lung damage Approximately 20% of US adults use tobacco

Caffeine  The most widely used psychoactive drug in the world, found in coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate candy, and soft drinks. Increases energy and mental alertness, heavy use can cause symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. Caffeine is addictive, and withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, and irritability.

Bath Salts Contain cathinones which are highly addictive. Similar to methamphetamine & MDMA (Ecstasy) Bath Salts have been linked to a high number of ER visits causing extreme paranoia, delusions, heart problems

DEPRESSANTS SLOWS DOWN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, HEART AND OTHER ORGANS

EXAMPLES - DEPRESSANTS Alcohol Tranquilizers (reduce muscular activity, coordination and attention span…prescribed to relieve anxiety and muscle spasms…withdrawal symptoms can cause death) Barbiturates (mood changes, sleeping more, coma) GHB (date rape drug, floor stripper…no memory) Rohypnol (“roofies”…date rape drug…)

These drugs have a sedative effect. NARCOTICS These drugs have a sedative effect.

NARCOTICS Morphine – (used for pain…blocks pain receptors, sedative effect, constipation, slow and shallow breathing, addictive) Codeine – (ingredient in cough syrups, similar effects as morphine) Heroin - addictive, derived from poppy plant, slow and slurred speech, constipation, respiratory depression, dry and itchy skin, overdose (would need to consume 1 gal of poppy seeds to show up on drug test)

HALLUCINOGENS Alter moods, thoughts and sense or perceptions including vision, hearing, and touch

HALLUCINOGENS PCP - “Angel Dust” cigarettes or a joint dipped in formaldehyde. Promotes violence & inability to feel pain (causing overdose or accidents) LSD - “Acid”, some don’t come out of high, wires in brain crossed, paranoia, distorted perceptions of sound and color, flashbacks Ecstasy - hallucinogenic effect…clinching & hyperthermia…studies show a connection with early Alzheimer's… causes holes in the brain

Ketamin “Special K”, horse tranquilizer, used with animals for anesthetic, respiratory failure Shrooms psychedelic mushrooms contain the psychedelic compounds, which cause hullucinations

MARIJUANA/Cannabis Raises levels of brain chemicals called dopamine (causes a pleasure feeling) Contains cancer causing agents similar to tobacco Impaired memory, reaction time and coordination Decreased ambition and motivation May cause: - heart and lung damage, lung cancer - infertility in females and lowered sperm count in males Stronger THC levels (component that makes you “high”) than marijuana in the 1970’s Studies showing connection to mental illness

Inhalants Goes immediately to the brain, causing brain damage and killing brain cells Can cause sudden death by increasing heart rate, resulting in cardiac arrest, or it can cause death by suffocation

STEROIDS Synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone testosterone Causes mood swings, paranoia, depression, acne, sterility, liver cancer, aggression Males: Testicles shrink, breasts enlarge Females: Breasts shrink, increase facial and chest hair

Watch Truth About Drugs Video Reflection: Respond to the following: *The brain does not fully develop until a person is in there 20’s. 1. How is a young person’s brain affected by drugs? *Teenagers are very susceptible to addiction. 2. Why is it so important that teenagers know the facts about drugs? *Marijuana is legal for adults in the state of Washington. 3. Do you see any problems that this could cause? 4. The “take-a-ways” from this video. Watch Truth About Drugs Video

QUESTIONS

The Truth About Drugs Research Assignment Work in a group of 3-4 people Read through the booklets and answer the question and discuss the final question

Put “The Truth About Drugs” Booklets in Order A Guide to the Booklets - black The Truth About Drugs - black Marijuana - orange Ecstasy - orange Painkillers - purple Cocaine - purple Crack - yellow Crystal Meth - black Inhalants - pink Heroin - purple LSD - green Ritalin - pink Prescription Drugs - orange Alcohol - yellow