DRUGS

DRUGS

StimulantsCaffeine NicotineEcstasyCocaineAmphetamin

e

Depressants

AlcoholPain killersSolventsHeroin

MorphineCodeine

Hallucinogens

LSDCannabis

STIMULANTS

STIMULANTS

All stimulants increase nervous activity.

Heart rate &wakefulness are also increased.

CAFFEINE

Present in coffee beans, tea leaves. It is a mild stimulant that increases

wakefulness.

AMPHETAMINE

Increases alertness, decreases fatigue. increases blood pressure and decreases

accuracy.

ECSTASY

Gives a feeling of wellbeing & increases sociability.

Followed by depression. Increases blood pressure, heart rate &

dehydration. Long-term use: damages brain cells.

COCAINE Gives a feeling of excitement Followed by depression It is very addictive Long-term use: damages arteries and

causes mental disorders

DEPRESSANTS

DEPRESSANTS

All depressants decrease nervous activity by acting as

endorphins ;our body’s natural pain reliever.

They suppress pain, increase relaxation, decrease heart rate & increases reaction time = slow responses.

They impair judgment. Excessive doses inhibits breathing

center in the brain causing death.

ALCOHOL It depresses the CNS; giving a feeling of well being, decreases

anxiety, increases confidence but it decreases the ability to do activities requiring skill and accuracy as well as impairing judgment.

Slows down reaction time therefore it is very dangerous to drink and drive.

It increases vasodilation in the skin, giving a warmer feeling but increases heat loss.

Large doses cause unconsciousness, breathing stops & death. 90% is detoxified by the liver, 10% is excreted by the kidney. Pregnancy: decreases baby weight; ill, deformed or still born

babies result from regular drinking. Long-term effects: damage of liver = cirrhosis.

MORPHINE, HEROIN & CODEINE. Morphine is a chemical extracted from part of the

opium plant. It is used medicinally to stop pain, especially after

surgeries. As well as stopping pain it increases well being and

decreases anxiety. Heroin & codeine are prepared by chemical reactions

to morphine. They are very addictive. Sharing needles to administer these drugs leads to

blood poisoning, hepatitis and AIDS.

SOLVENTS

Sniffing glue, aerosols give a strong but short drunkenness feeling. Dizziness and loss of coordination is then followed by headache, vomiting, convulsions, runny nose and blood shot eyes.

Large doses may lead to unconsciousness. Long-term use damages the kidney, liver

and brain.

HALLUCINOGENS

HALLUCINOGENS

These drugs work like brain transmitters; altering the way you perceive things. Making you see, hear and feel things

that are not true.

MARIJUANA/CANNABIS

Was used to relieve pain before discovering aspirin.

Increase well being, detachment & sometimes hallucinations

Learning ability and memory are impaired Long- term effects: damages lungs, CNS,

immunity & reproductive system. It decreases sperm count and sexual drive in males.

LSD

Cause distorted vision, sound, sometimes strong nightmarish hallucinations that sometimes lead to lethal accidents.

ALL DRUGS

Interfere with brain function Damage the body Cause tolerance: a larger dose is

needed to get high. Causes dependence or addiction Cause withdrawal symptoms that range

from cravings, to nausea, sickness, muscular pain, uncontrollable shaking & hallucinations.

COMPARING DEPENDENCE AND ADDICTION OF VARIOUS DRUGS

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF DRUG ABUSE Loss of jobs Spending all money to support the

habit Destruction of family life Loss of interest in appearance and

hygiene Addicts become involved in criminal

activity to fund their habit