Drugs: Legal & Illegal What are the three different drug groups? What is drug abuse and drug Misuse? What are the health risks of drug abuse? What are three protective factors that help reduce a person’s risk for drug abuse? List the five categories of the most commonly used drugs. Indian Hills Middle School

Medicine: 2 legal groups Drugs: Legal & Illegal Drug use is part of life in the United States. Every year, doctors write countless prescriptions and consumers spend millions of dollars on non-prescription drugs. When taken as directed these drugs treat many illnesses effectively. Medicine: 2 legal groups 1. Over-the-counter drugs: medicines that are sold legally in pharmacies and other stores without a doctor’s prescription. 2. Prescription Drugs: drugs that can be obtained only by an order from a doctor.

Drugs: Legal & Illegal 3rd drug type: Illegal Drugs: a chemical substance that people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or sell; also called street drugs. Drug Abuse: drugs that are intentionally used improperly or unsafely. Drug Misuse: the improper use of medicines. Proper Use: using per label instructions to treat a cough. Misuse: mistakenly taking more than is recommended to treat a cough. Abuse: deliberately taking more than is recommended or taking for purposes other than treating a cough.

Drugs: Legal & Illegal Drug Abuse and the Brain Addiction: Dopamine: Psychoactive drugs are “mood –altering” drugs that chemically affects brain activity and may result in addiction. They create a pleasurable feeling that the user wants to repeat. Addiction: Dopamine: a compulsive use of a drug, despite any cost to health, family, or social standing. It is a disease that changes the structure and chemistry of the brain. a chemical that travels between brain cells, producing pleasurable sensations; it increases with drug use creating a strong need for more.

Dangers of Drug Misuse & Abuse Side Effects: unwanted physical or mental effects caused by a drug; nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, death. Tolerance and Dependence: repeated use develops a tolerance to that drug and more is required for the same effects. Withdrawal: a person who is dependent on drugs and stops taking them experiences withdrawal symptoms; nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, fever, digestion problems, paranoia, panic, tremors, seizures, or death

Other Dangers of Drug Misuse & Abuse Serious Diseases: Hepatitis and HIV Risk to Fetus and New Born Legal Risks and other Costs Effects on Family & Friends Costs to Society: victims of crime & medical costs for drug related illnesses and injuries, death, lost work productivity because of drug dependency Drugs are expensive!

Protective Factors Against Drug Abuse Reduces a person’s potential for harmful behavior. Having strong protective factors in your life will help you stay drug free! Family Factors: Strong & positive values Parental awareness of teen’s activities Clear rules Personal Beliefs: Academic success Drug abuse is unacceptable Social Factors: Strong bonds to school & community activities, drug free friends, supportive & accepting friends

Drug: Side Effects Long-Term Effects Commonly Abused Drugs Depressants Slows body functions by decreasing heart and breathing rates and lowering blood pressure Drug: Side Effects Long-Term Effects Barbiturates: Poor coordination, slurred speech Blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, skin rash Nausea, vomiting, decreased alertness, Sleepiness, irritability, confusion Blood & liver disease Constipation, infections associated with injecting Liver & brain damage, anxiety, depression, malnutrition, memory loss CNS Depressants: Central nervous system Opiates: Alcohol: Impaired judgement, decreased alertness, memory problems, vomiting

Stimulants: Commonly Abused Drugs Side Effects: Hyperactivity Liver damage Depression Paranoia Heart/lung disease Gum disease drugs that speed up activities of the central nervous system; increasing heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and alertness. Nicotine Methamphetamine: Crack, meth, crystal, ice Cocaine Amphetamines: speed or uppers

PCP: Phencyclidine. Most dangerous of all drugs. Commonly Abused Drugs Hallucinogens: drugs that distorts perception, thought, and mood by overloading the brain with sensory information, causing a distorted sense of reality. Side Effects: Flashbacks Injury or death Schizophrenia Memory loss Personality changes Unable to preform normal activities Psilocybin: mushrooms PCP: Phencyclidine. Most dangerous of all drugs. LSD: Lysergic acid diethylamide Strongest known hallucinogen.

Commonly Abused Drugs Marijuana: Gateway Drug Facts About Marijuana: Marijuana use is often a gateway to using other “harder” drugs. Facts About Marijuana: May act as a depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen Has lasting negative health effects May be deadly if combined with alcohol or another depressant Feeling of anxiety or paranoia Distorted perceptions---sight, sound, time, and touch

Commonly Abused Drugs Club Drugs, Steroids, and Inhalants Inhalants: Club Drugs: gained popularity with the dance clubs. Inhalants: Glue Household cleaners Aerosol's Anabolic Steroids: synthetic drugs that are similar to the hormone testosterone Ecstasy, Rohypnol, Meth, LSD, PCP, Ketamine, GHB

Good Health Review & Questions List the 3 different drug groups and give an example for each. Explain drug abuse and misuse. Name 4 health risks of drug abuse. What are protective factors and how can they reduce a person’s risk for drug abuse? List the 5 categories of the most commonly used drugs and give an example of each. What is addition?