Drugs. Journal Entry When you hear the word “drug” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Write about the types of things you are thinking of, the.

Drugs

Journal Entry

When you hear the word “drug” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Write about the types of things you are thinking of, the uses, where you find it, etc.

Why do people use it?

Influence from family or friends

TV, music, or Movies showing/saying that it’s cool

Feeling that it helps one escape from problems

No matter how many shirts and caps you see printed w/ the leaf, or people saying it’s great or harmless, remember this: Marijuana is illegal to buy, sell, and use!!! And it is very harmful to your body!

True or False?

Skittles, Skunk, Snow, and Hug are all names of drugs.

True.

Skittles- Cough drops/medicine

Skunk- Marijuana

Snow- Cocaine

Hug- Ecstasy or Molly

OTC/Prescription Drugs

Drug is a substance that alters the way your mind and body function.All medicines are drugs but not all drugs are medicines.OTC drugs, prescriptions and inhalants are all legal substances that can also be abused.

True or False?

Taking medicine prescribed to someone else is okay because a doctor wrote it.

False

That drug was prescribed for a specific person and situation.

What could factors be if someone took a medicine that wasn’t for them?

OTC/Prescription Drug Abusegiving prescription meds to someone whom it isn’t prescribed

taking too much or too little of the prescribed amount.

taking meds for a shorter/longer period of time

discontinuing use of meds without telling doctor

mixing meds

taking meds for reasons other than prescribed.

OTC/Prescription Drugs

Why do people abuse or misuse prescription or OTC drugs?

OTC/Prescription Drugs

Why do people misuse?

Hope that drug will work quicker

Don’t read the label

Trying to get high

Become addicted

OTC/Prescription Drugs

What can result from prescription or OTC misuse?

OTC/Prescription Drugs

Misuse or abuse can result in:

- Stomach bleeding/vomiting

- Developing a tolerance

- The drug no longer working as intended

- Addiction

- Death

Prescription Painkiller abuseAmong teens, prescription drugs are the most commonly abused drugs next to marijuanaAlmost half of the teens are taking painkillersOne in ten high school seniors in the U.S. admits to abusing prescription painkillersPhysiological dependence can be formed over timeDangers don’t always present themselves until it’s too late

Illegal Drugs

Four categories of illegal drugs

1. Stimulants

2. Depressants

3. Narcotics

4. Hallucinogens

Stimulants

Include cocaine, amphetamines and steroids.

Speeds up the central nervous system

What legal substances are considered stimulants?

Stimulants

Because it elevates your heart rate, you can have:

- Nausea, headache, seizures- Chest pain and respiratory failure- Delirium/panic

Also:- Tolerance and addiction

Types of Steroids

Corticosteroids - these are creams and ointments, usually for controlling rashes and itching.Estrogens and Progestogens - relates to female sex hormones (ex. Birth conrol).

Androgens - anabolic steroids used for growth and development of muscle tissue and mass.

Negative Health EffectsAcneBreast development in men, decrease in women.Irritability and aggression (ROID RAGE)Liver cancerHeart attacksElevated cholesterol levelsAdolescent use may cause a premature stop in lengthening bones (Stunted growth)Mood swings (extremes)Cancer

Special Dangers to Adolescents

High school and Middle school students and athletes need to be aware of the effects on growth.

Steroids can actually stop the growth process too soon because of the damage to the growth plates, joints, etc.

Adolescents who use steroids are more likely to start using and become addicted to other drugs.

Train/Work out the smart way!!!

Ask a doctor about nutrition and safe ways to gain weight or add size.

Work Hard!!!

Proper Diet

Plenty of Rest

Set Realistic Goals

Work with trained supervision

METHAMPHETAMINES

Central Nervous System Stimulant

Why should I be concerned?Users aren’t the only people poisoned by this drug.Manufacturing is extremely dangerous and involves many chemical products.Many of these are potentially lethal and toxic when combined.These chemical fumes permeate the walls, carpets, plaster and wood in the meth labs.Most labs are houses! Even after the labs are shut down, the dangers for a new owner of the house can be extremely high.

Mental and Physical Dangers!!!

Aggressive and psychotic behavior

Irritability

Anxiety

Paranoia

Auditory Hallucinations

Delusions

Severe Depression with talks of suicide

Loss of appetite

Central Nervous System failures

Kidney and Liver damage

Burning eyes, throat, and nose.

Skin irritation

Long term cardiac and neurological damage (strokes)

Physical and BehavioralSymptoms

Unexplained weight lossAbnormal sweatingSores that don’t healDilated pupilsTremorsChest painBurns on lips or fingersItchingPoor hygiene/body odorPicking at skin/pulling hairSkin lesions on face, arms, or legsEtc.

Withdrawal from friends or familyChange in friendsDisinterest in previously enjoyed activitiesLong periods without sleep (24-120 hrs)Long periods of sleep (24-48 hrs)Slurred and rapid speech

“Meth Mouth”

Condition of the teethMeth dries out the salivary glands leading to high levels of bacteria and dry mouth.Acid causes erosion of tooth enamelMeth decay starts at the gum line and spreads around the entire tooth, eating the enamel in its wake.Meth users grind their teeth causing cracksMeth causes blood vessels to the oral tissues to shrink making the tissue break down and die.

COCAINE

Powder or crystal form

Extracted from coca leaves

Originally developed as a pain killer

Most often sniffed with the powder absorbed by the bloodstream through the nasal tissues

Can be ingested or rubbed into the gums

Some users inject it but there is a more substantial increase of overdose

Inhaling the smoke speeds up absorption

Short Term Effects

Loss of appetiteIncreased heart rateIncreased breathing rateDilated pupilsNauseaBizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behaviorHallucinations

IrritabilityIntense EuphoriaParanoiaDepressionIntense craving for more of the drugPanic and psychosisConvulsions, seizures and sudden death from high doses (even one time)

Long Term Effects

Permanent damage to blood vessels of the heart and brain

High blood pressure

Heart attacks and strokes

• Liver, kidney and lung damage

• malnutrition

• Tooth decay• Weight loss• Sexual reproduction

damage and infertility

• Severe depression• Death (even after

just one use)

Depressants

• Includes barbiturates, tranquilizers, Rohypnol and GHB.

• These drugs slow down the actions of the central nervous system.

• Rohypnol and GHB are both commonly seen as date rape drugs.

Depressants

Use can result in:• Depression• Slower/shallow breathing• Confusion and impaired memory• Loss of judgment• Irritability

Narcotics

• Includes opium, morphine, heroin, codeine and Oxycontin.

• Used to relieve pain; often prescription drugs. Pharmacists must keep records of the sales of these drugs.

• Block pain messengers

to the brain.

Narcotics

• Highly addictive when abused and have a rapid onset of tolerance.

• Can also cause nausea, confusion, sedation, unconsciousness and respiratory arrest.

• Withdrawal can be extremely painful.

Heroin Destruction!

• Initial effect is a surge of sensation, a “rush”• Warm feeling of skin and a dry mouth• Can induce vomiting or severe itching• After initial effects wear off, drowsiness sets in (usually

for several hours)• Heart rate and breathing slow down• Body craves more• Withdrawal includes restlessness, aches and pains of

bones, diarrhea, vomiting, and severe discomfort• Intense high lasts only a few minutes• Coma or death with just one use

Effects!!!

• SHORT TERM• Rush or High• Slow breathing• Clouded mental

functions• Nausea or vomiting• Hypothermia

• LONG TERM• Bad teeth• Itching• Respiration illnesses• Weakening of immune

system• Paralysis• Depression• Insomnia• Loss of memory or

intellectual performance• Death

Hallucinogens

• Includes PCP, LSD, ketamine and ecstasy.

• Alter moods, thoughts and sense perceptions including vision, hearing, smell and touch.

• Works by overloading

• the sensory controls

• on the brain.

Hallucinogens

• Because the drugs are interfering with communication in the brain:

- Your appetite decreases= malnutrition- You can become depressed, panicked,

aggressive and violent.- Illusions and hallucinations can cause

paranoia.- Your muscles breakdown and you can

become fatally dehydrated.

LSDLysergic Acid Diethylamide

• One of the most potent mind altering and mood changing chemicals

• Leads the user to a serious disconnection from reality

• “Trip” – usually lasts 12 hours or so.

• Small tablets (microdots)

• Capsules or Gelatin squares (window panes)

Inhalants

• Poison that enters the body through inhaling fumes.

• Glue, spray paint, gasoline, solvents• Causes permanent nervous system

damage, elevates heart rate

• 38 states in the U.S. have placed restrictions on the sale and distribution of products that are commonly used as inhalants.

Inhalants

Why do teens inhale?

- Generally household items

- Don’t think it is dangerous

- The effects are immediate because the fumes are going straight to the brain.

- Peer pressure

How they affect your body

• Damages the heart, kidneys, brain, liver and bone marrow

• They starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly

• Can experience nausea and nosebleeds, lose sense of smell

• Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduction of muscle tone

• Damage to lungs and immune system• “Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome” – can occur the

1st time or 100th time an inhalant is used. Suffocation!

True or False?

Natural drugs aren’t as bad as synthetic ones.

False.

Marijuana, mushrooms and other “natural” highs still alter brain chemistry and produce dangerous side effects. They aren’t harmless just because they grow in the ground.

Marijuana

• Made from the hemp plant cannabis.

• Leaves, buds and flowers are smoked for their intoxicating effects.

• Like tobacco cigarettes, marijuana contains 400 harmful toxins including cancer causing carcinogens

PARAPHERNALIA

ACTIVE INGREDIENT- THC

• THC(Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannibinol)

• THC levels around 1% in the 1970’s whereas today averages around 22 - 40% and rising all the time

• Amount of THC determines effectiveness

Extra Facts

• THC, the active ingredient, is developed into a pill available by prescription.

• It’s used to treat nausea and vomiting that occur in some cancer patients.

• Also used with AIDS patients to help them eat more to keep up their weight.

Marijuana

• The amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers

• A study of college students has shown that critical skills related to attention, memory, and learning are impaired among people who use marijuana heavily, even after discontinuing its use

Marijuana

Short Term Affect Irregular Heartbeat Decrease in memory,

reflexes and coordination Increased hunger Sleepiness Paranoia Bloodshot eyes Altered perception of time

Long Term Affects Addiction Anxiety Risk of lung cancer and

emphysema Memory loss Blurred Vision Infertility Damaged immune system Low blood pressure Hormonal imbalance

DRUG TESTING FACTS

• It is fat-soluble• It is stored in the body long after it has

been introduced• Stored in fatty areas (heart, lungs,liver,

brain)• THC can stay in the body for as long as

3-6 weeks after other chemicals are gone. (There are over 400 chemicals)

True or False?

Drug addiction is a choice.

False

Drug use is a choice, and prolonged use changes your body and brain chemistry. When that happens, the user no longer appears to have a choice—this is when use and misuse become addiction.

True or False?

If someone in recovery uses drugs or alcohol again, they’ll be right back where they were when they first quit.

False.

This can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you believe that one drink will throw you back to “square one,” then it will. However, it is entirely possible to relapse, realize your mistake, and get right back in recovery.

Josh Hamilton• https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=KvBmlJSnF-Q

Obituary Activity• Imagine you live to be 80, 90, 100 years

old.

• Write down what you hope to accomplish in life and write what you want your obituary to say when you die of natural causes.

Obituary Activity

• Now imagine you become addicted to drugs.

• You are 17 and die of an overdose; write what your obituary says this time.

• How do these two obituaries differ? Which one is a better representation of you as a person?