DRUG DANGER: In the Body Introduction to Gateway Drugs

Drug Danger: In the Body Drug Danger: In the Body focuses on three gateway drugs – tobacco, marijuana and alcohol (including beer) - and discusses their effects on various organs in the body. Gateway drugs mean they can lead to the use of other drugs.

Tobacco Tobacco contains nicotine, a powerful and highly addictive drug. Tobacco contains nicotine, a powerful and highly addictive drug. Nicotine is a poisonous substance that changes the chemistry of the brain. Nicotine is a poisonous substance that changes the chemistry of the brain. Tobacco also contains tar which triggers cancer growth. Tobacco also contains tar which triggers cancer growth. Two other diseases cigarette smokers are more likely to get than non-smokers are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Two other diseases cigarette smokers are more likely to get than non-smokers are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Cigarette smoke also contains carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can cause heart attacks. Cigarette smoke also contains carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that can cause heart attacks.

Nicotine: a very powerful drug.  May be more addictive than cocaine and heroin.  Changes the chemistry of the brain so that smokers crave cigarettes.  It’s a poison: the amount in 10 packs of cigarettes at one time is fatal.

Tar: another poison found in tobacco  Coats the lungs and damages the delicate lining.  Paralyzes the millions of tiny hairs in the nose, throat and lungs – hairs that would otherwise sweep germs out of the body.  Also triggers cancer growth. Thousands of smokers die yearly from lung cancer.  When tar builds up in the lungs it cause emphysema making it difficult to breath.  Causes airways to get smaller and clogged with mucus causing chronic bronchitis. Breathing can be painful and difficult.

Carbon Monoxide: poisonous gas  Gets into the brain, heart and blood vessels doing lots of damage.  Takes the place of oxygen causing the heart to work harder – can beat out of control & stop.  Builds up a fatty substance called cholesterol on blood vessel walls blocking the flow of blood causing a heart attack or stroke.  Affects a person’s eyesight. Makes it more difficult to see at night.

Major Health Concerns Tobacco is a dangerous drug to everyone’s health. Tobacco is a dangerous drug to everyone’s health. Statistics show 88% of lung cancer in males & 74% in females could be prevented if people did not smoke tobacco. Statistics show 88% of lung cancer in males & 74% in females could be prevented if people did not smoke tobacco.

Marijuana Marijuana smoke contains the same dangerous chemicals as cigarette, but in larger amounts. Marijuana smoke contains the same dangerous chemicals as cigarette, but in larger amounts. In addition marijuana contains THC, a poison that destroys white blood cells, an important part of a person’s ability to fight disease. In addition marijuana contains THC, a poison that destroys white blood cells, an important part of a person’s ability to fight disease. Marijuana also affects the brain. Frequent users have trouble focusing their thoughts, and the ability to use their muscles is hampered. Marijuana also affects the brain. Frequent users have trouble focusing their thoughts, and the ability to use their muscles is hampered.

Tar  5 times more than tobacco  Main carcinogen (cancer)  More likely to get lung cancer, emphysema and bronchitis

THC  A poisonous chemical.  10 – 15 time more in marijuana today vs. the 60s.  Stored in various organs including the lungs & kidneys  Destroys white blood cells, an important part of a person to fight diseases.  Affects the brain, causing people to have panic attacks.  Long term use can cause a person to have trouble focusing their thoughts.  Causes burnout and depression.

Conflicting Views Legalization of marijuana vs. tobacco becoming illegal While demonizing tobacco as the worse drug in America through the media, there has been a movement to legalize marijuana for decades. Although there is some negative media towards drug use in general, there has been a lot of coverage to legalize marijuana on the radio & TV talk shows. While demonizing tobacco as the worse drug in America through the media, there has been a movement to legalize marijuana for decades. Although there is some negative media towards drug use in general, there has been a lot of coverage to legalize marijuana on the radio & TV talk shows.

Why marijuana should not be legalized:  Alcohol: Legal over 21 years of age, is the most abused drug in the USA – 20 million alcoholics  Tobacco: Legal over the age of 18 years old, may be the most addictive drug and dangerous health wise.  Marijuana: Has 5 times more tar than tobacco – THC destroys white blood cells which can only up the cost in health care.

Legal in What State? Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is not legal in California or Arizona. To say its legal would be like saying heroine is legal in Texas. Some doctors do prescribe marijuana use to cancer patients whom or using chemo-therapy, but even that is in violation of Federal Law. The United States government has been cracking down on this practice in California. Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is not legal in California or Arizona. To say its legal would be like saying heroine is legal in Texas. Some doctors do prescribe marijuana use to cancer patients whom or using chemo-therapy, but even that is in violation of Federal Law. The United States government has been cracking down on this practice in California.

Is marijuana helpful to cancer patients? Although THC settles the stomach & gives you an appetite, which can be helpful to those going through chemo-therapy, it also destroys white blood cells. Cancer patients need to keep their immune system healthy. There are other drugs available (antiemetic treatments) that do not destroy white blood cells. Although THC settles the stomach & gives you an appetite, which can be helpful to those going through chemo-therapy, it also destroys white blood cells. Cancer patients need to keep their immune system healthy. There are other drugs available (antiemetic treatments) that do not destroy white blood cells.

Alcohol Alcohol affects a person in similar ways. In addition, alcohol may causer stomach ulcers, and, and can play a role in the development of stomach cancer. Alcohol affects a person in similar ways. In addition, alcohol may causer stomach ulcers, and, and can play a role in the development of stomach cancer. Heavy drinkers generally have higher blood pressure than non-drinkers, and a higher incidence of heart attacks. Heavy drinkers generally have higher blood pressure than non-drinkers, and a higher incidence of heart attacks. Alcohol also can destroy the liver, the organ that removes poisonous substances from the body. Alcohol also can destroy the liver, the organ that removes poisonous substances from the body.

Hard Liquor: There is no such thing as ‘Hard Liquor’. Alcohol is alcohol – a 12 oz. can of beer or wine cooler, 4oz glass of wine or a shot of liquor all have the same amount of alcohol -.05 oz. There is no such thing as ‘Hard Liquor’. Alcohol is alcohol – a 12 oz. can of beer or wine cooler, 4oz glass of wine or a shot of liquor all have the same amount of alcohol -.05 oz.

Alcohol Kills  30,000 people every year in drunk driving accidents.  10 teen’s everyday, making it the number 1 killer of adolescents.  100,000 deaths annually (preventable)

Destructive in other ways  Stomach - ulcers & cancer  Heart - high blood pressure causing heart attacks.  Liver – hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Alcohol Plays a Part in  60% of all traffic accidents and 37% of all traffic fatalities  68% of all drowning  85% of all murders

Alcohol and the dangers to Young People  A young person’s brain is still developing and organizing.  The younger someone starts drinking alcohol the higher the risk of alcoholism.  #1 killer of adolescents – 10 teenagers die every day from alcohol related incidents.

Crime Cost Crime Cost associated with alcohol and drug use cost Texas taxpayers over 2 billion dollars per/yr. Crime Cost associated with alcohol and drug use cost Texas taxpayers over 2 billion dollars per/yr. That is approximately $1000 per/person every year. That is approximately $1000 per/person every year.

Summary  Nobody ever intends to become a drug addict – it’s just too terrible. Everyone who starts on a gateway drug thinks they can stop anytime they want. Too often, however, they are fooling themselves.  As you have seen, they can be very harmful to the brain, the heart and blood vessels, blood cells that fight disease, the liver, the lungs and the stomach.  Every time a person smokes tobacco or marijuana – or drinks alcohol – they are putting their body in danger. As time passes that danger becomes greater & greater.