1. Drug Abuse
The Truth About Drugs

2. Before We Get Started…
I am here to EDUCATE you and provide you with true, FACTUAL information (not my opinion)
Life is all about choices; I cannot make these choices for you. What I can do is provide you with factual information so that you have the ability to make informed decisions.
Knowledge = Power (sounds cheesy, but it’s true!)
(8min)

3. Statistics
Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug overall (other than caffeine)
Alcohol-related incidents (car accidents, alcohol poisoning, etc.) are the 2nd leading cause of teen death in the US. 1st cause= car accident
Legal drinking age: 21
Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug

4. Why do people take drugs?
To fit in
To escape or relax
To relieve boredom
To seem grown up
To rebel
To experiment
What else?
People believe drugs are the solution.
But eventually, drugs become the problem.

5. Misuse vs. Abuse
Drug Misuse- taking or using medicine in a way that is not intended.
Ex: taking 4 Tylenol for a headache instead of the recommended 1-2
Drug Abuse- intentionally using drugs in a way that is unhealthy or illegal.
Ex: taking a prescription medicine that is not prescribed to you
Ex: taking a prescription medicine as it was not intended (taking a pain killer to achieve a “high” and not to relieve pain)
Which is worse?

6. Addiction
Despite knowing how horrible, dangerous, and expensive addiction is, people still try drugs every day. Why? They think that they are different—that they will not get addicted.
Addiction does not discriminate— rich, poor, urban, rural, good family life, bad family life, educated, illiterate, young or old.
NO ONE is invincible.

7. How Do Drugs Work? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f1nmqiHIII
Neurotransmission
Information is communicated in the brain via a process called neurotransmission. Neurotransmission involves a variety of chemical substances called “neurotransmitters.” One such neurotransmitter is called “dopamine.” In the normal communication process, dopamine is released by a neuron into the synapse (the small gap between neurons). The dopamine then binds with specialized proteins called “dopamine receptors” on the neighboring neuron thereby sending a signal to that neuron.

8. Vocabulary Synthetic- man-made Gateway- leading to other drugs
Tolerance- when a person’s body becomes used to a drug or medicine and needs greater and greater amounts of it to feel the same effect
-Does this cause the gateway effect??
Potency- strength of drug
Carcinogen- cancer-causing chemicals

9. Vocabulary, cont.
Euphoria- intense feelings of wellbeing, happiness, excitement, and joy; drug users feel this during a “high”
Illicit- illegal
Rehabilitation- the process of medical and psychological treatment for dependence on drugs or alcohol (helps people recover from addiction)

10. Consequences of Drug Use
Teens who use illegal drugs may stop pursuing their interests and goals
May lead to other risky behaviors (such as?)
Drug use is a leading factor in teen depression and suicide
Drug use is directly related to violence
Drug use puts a burden on family and friends.

11. 7 Categories of Drugs
Depressants- Slow down activity in the brain and body; decrease heart rate and blood pressure
Stimulants- Speed up activity in the brain and body; increase heart rate and blood pressure
Hallucinogens- Cause user to perceive things differently than they actually are; user may see things that are not really there

12. Categories of Drugs Cont.
Pain Killer/Dissociative Anesthetics- inhibit pain by cutting off the brain’s perception of pain
Pain Killer/Narcotic Analgesics- relieve pain and induce euphoria; create mood changes in the user
Inhalants- Breathable substances that produce mind-altering results and effects.
Cannabis- Marijuana
Active ingredient that causes high= tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
WAY more THC in today’s marijuana than in the 60s/70s- more dangerous and addictive

13. Alcohol
Depressant
Short-term effects- impaired judgment, coordination, slurred speech, memory loss
Long-term effects- liver damage, increased risk of heart disease, decreased brain function, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pregnant motherchild)
Binge Drinking (5+ drinks in a short period of time) can lead to alcoholism. What’s a “drink”?
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy, possess, or consume alcohol.
36min

14. Marijuana Cannabis. Slang terms?
Short-term effects- Memory problems, distorted perceptions (sights, sounds, time, touch), trouble thinking and problem-solving, loss of coordination, increase heart rate, and anxiety.
Long-term effects- Can cause psychotic symptoms, depression, damage to heart and lungs, weakens immune system and affects hormones.
Limits capacity to absorb and retain information.
Delay puberty in young men and reduce sperm production.
Inhibit menstruation in young women. Pregnant women risk babies with low birth rates and at greater risk for health problems and developmental delays.

15. Marijuana Vs. Cigarettes
marijuana still has carcinogens, just like ciggs
5 joints=full pack of cigarettes (more smoke, deeper inhalation, etc)
Medical use?
For the average, healthy person, marijuana has NO health benefits (see above)
The only time marijuana is helpful medically is when a person is extremely sick. For example, cancer patients may need it in order to have an appetite/be able to eat. Would you want to get chemo as a healthy person?
Gateway or Stepping Stone Drug?
Teens who smoke MJ times more likely to use cocaine/heroin.
Teens who smoke MJ are more exposed to other drugs and therefore more likely to have the availability to try them.

16. Heroin Pain killer; extremely addictive
Short-term effects- Clouded thinking, nausea and vomiting, heart functions and breathing severely slowed; user can become addicted after just one use
Long-term effects- Collapsed veins, soft-tissue infections, liver and kidney damage, diseases from injection (HIV/AIDS) and death from overdose

17. Prescription Drugs Must be prescribed by a medical professional
OxyContin- painkiller just as addictive and potent as heroin
Vicodin- painkiller
Valium- depressant
Prescription pills are responsible for more overdose deaths in the US than cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and amphetamines combined.
Painkillers-slowed breathing, nausea and unconsciousness.
Depressants-heart problems, slurred speech.
Stimulants-Increase Blood pressure and heart rate, hostility and paranoia
Antidepressants-Irregular heart beat, paranoid reactions, violent or suicidal thoughts and halluciniations.

18. Pain Killers
Pain Killers only mask the pain for which they are taken and do not “cure” anything.
Short-term effects- physical dependence with severe withdrawal symptoms ; severe pain until next dose is taken
Long-term effects- Liver damage, mood changes, and death from overdose.
One of the hardest addictions to ‘kick’

19. Inhalants Inhalant category– obviously 
Short-term effects- slurred speech, impaired judgment, nausea, coughing, nosebleeds, fatigue, and lack of coordination; death by heart attack or suffocation; Starves body of oxygen.
Long-term effects- Lose sense of smell, nausea and nosebleeds, may develop liver, lung and kidney problems. Loss of muscle mass, tone and strength.

20. Ecstasy Hallucinogen; synthetic drug made in laboratory
Also known as MDMA, Molly, etc.
Mixing Ecstasy & alcohol is extremely dangerous
Short-term effects- Impaired judgment, confusion, depression, anxiety, paranoia, teeth clenching, sweating, and severe dehydration which can lead to death after first use
Long-term effects- Permanent brain damage affecting the person’s judgment and thinking ability.

21. Methamphetamines (Crystal Meth)
Stimulant; synthetic
Short-term effects- aggression, irritability, anxiety, hyperactivity, delusions of power, hallucinations, paranoia and convulsions resulting in death.
Long-term effects- Increased heart rate and blood pressure, damage to blood vessels in brain leading to strokes or irregular heartbeat and death. Liver, kidney and lung damage. Brain damage including memory and inability to grasp thoughts. Severe mood swings.

22. Crystal Meth Ingredients
Acetone
Anhydrous Ammonia
Battery Acid
Chloroform
Drain Cleaner
Freon
Rubbing Alcohol
Iodine
One of the hardest addictions to break
Acetone-nail polish, removes superglue
AA-fertilizers, explosives
Chloroform-Pesticides not used as much because it damages the CNS
Freon-

23. Cocaine
Stimulant
Short-term effects- can’t sleep or eat properly. Increased heart rate, muscle spasms and seizures. Paranoia, anger, anxiety. Heart attack and stroke that can cause immediate death.
Long-term effects- Irritability, mood disturbances, hallucinations, paranoia, depression

24. Crack Stimulant; most potent form of cocaine
Short-term effects- same as cocaine
Long-term effects- damage to heart, liver and kidneys. Sleep deprivation and malnutrition. Extreme tolerance build up

25. LSD and PCP
Hallucinogens- derived from an extremely poisonous fungus plant
Short-term effects- High body temperature, increase heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, tremors (intense body shaking). Severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of insanity and death, and feelings of despair. May commit suicide due to a bad “trip”
Long-term effects- Flashbacks, long lasting psychosis (basically being out of touch with reality, not being able to communicate clearly; a permanent feeling of being “out of it”)

26. Drugs are NOT cool. The kids your age who THINK they are cool are going to be living in their parents’ basement at age 30 and will be total LOSERS…. Trust me. If you mess around with drugs, assume you will become an addict, or worse…