Teen Drug Use 8 th Grade Health Mrs. Bauder

What are reasons teens give for using drugs?

Alcohol Tobacco Marijuana Prescription Drugs Inhalants Club Drugs Steroids*Heroin

Marijuana

Marijuana (Canabis) aka “Pot” Most likely the first illicit drug that young people will use Average age of first use is about 14 years THC is the main active ingredient Medical in some states

How Does Marijuana Effect the Body? Impairs - –memory –event recall –judgment –cognitive functions –coordination and balance Increased heart rate Dry mouth Occasional anxiety, fear or panic

How marijuana affects a person depends on…… Whether it is smoked or ingested Dosage THC content Time between puffs Length of time in one’s lungs Previous experience (tolerance)

Club Drugs

Club Drugs - What are they? Typically used by young adults at bars, clubs, concerts, and parties. The most common club drugs include Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine

Intoxicating Effects of Club Drugs Ecstasy –increase awareness of senses, mild hallucinations, increased energy, loss of judgment GBH –relaxation, nausea, loss of inhibitions, euphoria Ketamine and PCP –confusion, distortions of reality, numbness

Health Consequences of Club Drugs Ecstasy –impaired learning and memory, hyperthermia, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, death GBH –dangerously slowed breathing, seizures, coma Ketamine and PCP –loss of memory, loss of muscle control, dangerously slowed breathing

Heroin

Heroin: What is it? Opiate– derived from poppy plant Used as a pain reliever Aka: smack Can be injected, smoked or snorted

Heroin: How does it affect the body? HIGHLY ADDICTIVE Dulls senses Impairs judgment Sleepy Dramatically slows thinking process Produces many side effects

Heroin: Health Consequences HIGHLY ADDICTIVE Slows down CNS Injection – contract blood borne diseases Coma Overdose Death

Inhalants - What are they? Inhalants are legal, everyday products that when inhaled can produce mind-altering effects or a euphoric state. nail polish remover glue gasoline household cleaners nitrous oxide ("laughing gas," which can be found in whipped cream dispensers and is often inhaled via a balloon)

Inhalant Abuse National surveys report that more than 22.9 million Americans have abused inhalants at least once in their lives. Inhalants are abused more often by younger children than older children. Why?

Long Term Effects of Inhalants Regular abuse of inhalants can result in serious harm to vital organs. Can cause brain damage spinal cord damage heart damage kidney damage liver failure muscle weakness

Steroids Anabolic steroids –artificial forms of the male hormone testosterone Ergogenic drugs –substance that enhances athletic performance Two forms –Injectable solutions –Pills Motivator - body image concerns

Effects of Steroids

Any Questions????