1. Drugs: Misuse and Abuse
Objective: At the end of this unit you should be able to explain the difference between drugs and medicine, list ways people misuse or abuse drugs, and recognize the different drug classifications.

2. Drugs vs. Medicine Drugs: Medicine
A nonfood substance taken into the body that can change the structure or function of the body or mind
Medicine
Drug that is used to treat an illness or relieve pain

3. Misuse vs. Abuse
Misuse:Using LEGAL drugs in an improper way. Examples:
Takes more than recommended or prescribed of prescribed medicine
Continues use of medicine after or starts use before told by doctor
Use of medication prescribed to someone else (pain killers)
Abuse- Using substances that are illegal and are not intended to be taken into the body. Examples:
Marijuana
Cocaine
Ecstasy
Heroin

4. Common Causes of Drug Use
Friends who use drugs
Peer Pressure
Easily Available
Look Cool
Curiosity
Drugs will help to cope with feelings of sadness, loneliness, boredom or anxiety
Media
Low self-esteem

5. Steps Leading to Drug Abuse
Step 1: Trying one or more drugs
Step 2: Using drugs once in a while
Step 3: Using drugs on a regular basis
Step 4: Using drugs in an uncontrolled and excessive way

6. Drug Classification
Drugs are broken down into different classifications based on how they effect the body.
Narcotics
Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
Inhalants
Marijuana

7. NARCOTICS Drugs that relieve pain, dull senses & are very addictive.
Legal narcotics are morphine, codeine but are prescribed under doctors because they are very strong and users can become addicted to them)
Heroin – a white, off-white or brown powder
Enters the body in 3 ways, inhaled, injected or orally taken
Highly addictive (psychologically & physically)
Withdrawal symptoms (chills, vomiting, death, etc.)
No medical uses

8. NARCOTICS CONTINUED… Effects –
Immediate & long-lasting (3-6 hours)
Produces a change in pain perception, a feeling of euphoria & drowsiness
Death caused by overdosed is due to respiratory arrest (stop breathing)
Increase risk of AIDS is extremely high (why?)
As the user becomes more dependent upon the drug, the initial high is reduced & they begin to need the drug in larger amounts to avoid withdrawal symptoms

9. Depressants
Drugs that slow down the body’s function and reactions, including heart and breathing rates
Examples:
Tranquilizers
Hypnotics (sedatives, sleeping pills, barbituartes)
Alcohol
Effects are
Feeling relaxed/less anxious
Poor coordination
Impaired judgment
Mood swings/depression
If combined with alcohol, can cause coma and/or death

10. Stimulants
Drugs that speed up the body’s functions such as increase in heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure.
Cocaine – a white powder that can be inhaled, smoked or injected.
A strong stimulant with effects lasting 15 minutes to 2 hours
The faster & shorter the high, the more addictive the substance
Highly addictive (psychologically & physically)
Effects-
Causes excitement, euphoria, hyperactivity & feelings of authority
Withdrawal symptoms include confusion, anxiety, depression
Causes loss of appetite, nausea, sleeplessness, seizures, and stroke
Increase the risk of HIV or Hepatitis B
Can damage nasal membranes and lungs
Overdose symptoms include sweating, dizziness, vomiting, convulsions & death
Chronic users may have hallucinations of the “cocaine bug” – hallucinated that insects or worms are crawling on or under the skin

11. STIMULANTS CONTINUED…
Crack - a concentrated form of cocaine that is smoked
Reaches the brain within 10 seconds
Most addictive drug known – instantaneous addiction (psychologically & physically)
No medical uses
Effects-
Produces a feeling of energy and excitement (the high usually lasts 15 minutes)
The high is followed by an extreme crash of depression
Side effects are similar to cocaine including possible heart attack
Users become violent & commits crimes to support crack use
Long-term effects include psychiatric problems, paranoia, & depression (which is often suicidal)

12. Amphetamines
Stimulant that speeds up nervous system (commonly called uppers or speed).
Taken orally or injected
Psychologically addictive – user becomes dependent upon the feeling of alertness, power, & self-confidence produced by these drugs
Medical use includes treatment for narcolepsy, appetite control & ADHD in children
Effects include:
Stroke
Brain seizures
Heart attack
Increased aggressiveness
Mental illness
Physical collapse
Death

13. HALLUCINOGENS Drugs that distort moods, thoughts & senses.
Marijuana – mood altering drug mad from leaves of the hemp plant that is usually smoked
Psychologically addictive
Considered a gateway drug (why?)
Medical uses include treatment for pain, in terminally ill patients & people with AIDS

14. Marijuana Continued… Immediate effects: Long-Term effects:
Inability to think or speak clearly
Inability to concentrate
Loss of short term memory
Lack of coordination and slowed reaction time
Increased heart rate and appetite
Long-Term effects:
Problems with normal body development when use begins in adolescence
Damage to lung tissue and the cancer fighting immune cells
Feelings of anxiety and panic
Dependence
Infertility

15. Others… LSD – acid PCP – angel dust
These two hallucinogens cause the user to experience imaginary images & sounds or distortions of real objects
Users may lose control of their actions and behave strangely or violently, possibly endangering their own lives or the lives of others.

16. INHALANTS
Substances whose fumes are breathed in to produce mind-altering sensations. (Examples: glues, gasoline & spray paints)
Chemicals are inhaled & produced a very short-lived high
May cause psychological dependence
No medical use
Effects-
Nausea & vomiting
Dizziness
Mental confusion
Loss of motor skills
Permanent brain damage, coma & death

17. Still Others
Ketamine – Can make a user vomit and convulse, people have been know to go into a coma
Methamphetamines – causes mind and mood changes such as anxiety, euphoria and depression. Long term effects include chronic fatigue, delusional thinking, and permanent psychological damage.
Rohypnol – “Date Rape” drug. Can cause a kind of amnesia. Users may not remember what they said or did, makes it easier for others to take advantage of them

18. Others……
Steroids – Increase growth level hormones like testosterone. Can cause cancer, depression, liver damage, acne, balding or anger.

19. Check Your Knowledge
In what ways are inhalants different from many other drugs discussed in this unit?
What advice would you give someone thinking of trying amphetamines to stay awake for a test?