What are the top 10 drugs mis-used by young people? Discuss with a partner then join with another pair and compare. Which are hallucinogens, depressants or stimulants?

Commonly Agreed top ten Caffeine Alcohol Nicotine Cannabis Volatile substances/Inhalants/huffing Cocaine Ecstasy Prescription drugs Speed (Amphetamine) Legal highs e.g. ketamine Amyl Nitrite We will look at RED substance today and others at a later date

Cannabis: True or False It’s a stimulant – it wakes you up Is not a harmful drug You can’t overdose on it It can lead to anxiety attacks It’s always smoked It’s legal in Holland

Answers 1. It’s a stimulant – it wakes you up FALSE: It slows you down (depressant) 2. Is not a harmful drug It depends: It can make existing mental Health problems worse and cause MH problems like schizophrenia; regular use can cause fertility problems and if smoking it, lung cancer . 3. You can’t overdose on it TRUE: Large amounts will make people feel disorientated, dizzy and they may vomit but it wouldn’t cause death. 4. It can lead to anxiety attacks TRUE: Especially if users are already feeling anxious 5. It is always smoked FALSE: The resin form can be cooked or just eaten. 6. It’s legal in Holland FALSE: It is sold in licensed coffee shops – it is not strictly legal but is tolerated by police providing people are not carrying large amounts.

Ecstasy: True or False It relaxes you It’s addictive It’s an hallucinogen – it makes you have see and hear things differently If you use it for a long time it causes brain damage It’s a pill It can make you feel low the next day

Answers (Ecstasy) 1. It relaxes you FALSE: It gives you an energy rush and is a stimulant 2. It’s addictive FALSE: At least not in physical sense but people may become psychologically dependent 3. It’s an hallucinogen - It makes you have see and hear things differently PARTLY TRUE: People feel more alert; sound, colour and feelings are greater; increased feelings of love and empathy for people. 4. If you use it for a long time it causes brain damage Possibly: Although there are other health risks (over 200 ecstasy-related deaths in last 20 years and is linked to liver, heart and kidney problems because the body can overheat and become dehydrated when dancing energetically and not taking breaks and drinks) 5. It’s a pill TRUE: But it’s mixed with other unknown substances so you don’t know how strong it is or what the other ingredients are. 6. It can make you feel low the next day TRUE: It forces lots of the happy chemical (serotonin) into your brain and the brain can’t make enough the next day so users may feel depressed.

Cocaine: True or False 1. Try it once and you’re addicted. 2. You get flu after taking cocaine. 3. It can make you feel on top of the world. 4. Perfectly healthy, young people can have a fit or heart attack after taking too much cocaine. 5. Possession can get you up to 5 years in jail. 6. It’s a depressant.

Cocaine 1. Try it once and you’re addicted. FALSE: You would have to use it more than once – regular users ‘crave’ it. 2. You get flu after taking cocaine. Sort of TRUE: After taking cocaine many people to feel depressed and run down like they've got flu. 3. It can make you feel on top of the world. TRUE but: some people can get over-confident, arrogant and aggressive and end up taking very careless risks. 4. Perfectly healthy, young people can have a fit or heart attack after taking too much cocaine. True: High doses can raise the body's temperature, cause fits and heart failure. 5. Possession can get you up to 5 years in jail. FALSE: Up to seven years in jail 6. It’s a depressant. FALSE: A powerful stimulant, with short-lived effects – which that means it speeds up the way your mind and body work.

Volatile substances/Inhalants/Huffing 1. They are as household products and safe to use. 2. Volatile substances are stimulants. 3. They have a similar effect to alcohol. 4. It’s a myth you can suffocate when you take them.

Volatile substances/Inhalants/Huffing 1. They are as household products and safe to use. FALSE: They killed more 10-15 year olds than all illegal drugs combined (2000 -2008). They can kill the first time they are used. 2. Volatile substances are stimulants. FALSE: Depressants - they slow down your body’s responses. 3. They have a similar effect to alcohol. TRUE: They make people feel uninhibited, euphoric and dizzy. 4. It’s a myth you can suffocate when you take them. FALSE: Squirting gas products down the throat can cause swelling so you can't breathe Users can passing out and choke on their own vomit Users can suffocate when inhaling from a plastic bag over their head.

Why do some young people misuse substances? To escape unhappiness To experiment Peer pressure To be different To be cool Because they want to Because they don’t know the risks They are addicted

Because they don’t know the risks To escape unhappiness Because they don’t know the risks Peer pressure To be cool