The Effects and Legal Status of Drugs Aim: To consider the legal status of different types of drugs. Starter: State 2 illegal drugs (2 marks) Outline why people may take legal drugs (3 marks)

Rights and Responsibilities In the UK, we all have a right to prescription drugs to cure us from an illness or control an illness. We also have the responsibility to ensure that those drugs do not get into the wrong hands as there is also a high, illegal demand for prescription drugs, such as steroids, on the black market.

Effects of Drugs Drugs can have a profound affect on a person’s quality of life (physical, social and emotional wellbeing ). Think, pair, square! How can drug taking affect your Wellbeing? Physical effectsSocial effectsEmotional effects

Physical effects

Social effects

Emotional effects

Knowledge hunt We are now going to find out about the effects different types of drugs can have on your Wellbeing There are 10 stations around the room. With your group, you will have 2 minutes at each station to note down the key effects in the blank boxes on your grid. We will be going over this information afterwards so don’t worry if you don’t get everything down.

Caffeine Caffeine is a mild stimulant. It is legal but it can have negative effects in some people. It is naturally found in tea, coffee, chocolate and some soft drinks. It can also be found in some painkillers or energy tablets. In the short term, it gives the user a feeling of wellbeing and alertness. It is a widely used mood altering drug. In the long term, it can become addictive and lead to insomnia, anxiety, digestive disorders and withdrawal symptoms, headaches, fatigue, irritability and depression.

Heroin (Smack) Snorted, smoked or injected, it gives an initial feeling of wellbeing. Users talk of feeling ‘high’ and ‘buzzing’ after taking it. Using Heroin can induce Coma or even death. It is a very addictive drug so it is easy to overdose.

Ecstasy (E) Ecstasy is usually taken in tablet form. It is known as a stimulant and gives the user a feeling of euphoria (happiness) followed by a very calming ‘spaced’ feeling. After taking ecstasy, the heart rate increases and sweats profusely which can lead to dehydration, unconsciousness and even death. Ecstasy can also lead to kidney or liver problems.

LSD (acid) LSD is a hallucinogenic drug which affects the user’s mind. The user experiences unstoppable ‘trips’ which can last hours. During a ‘trip’, the user may experience a feeling of being ‘spaced’ or weightless and may even experience hallucinations. LSD can cause depression, anxiety and death. LSD gives the user a feeling of indestructibility which can lead the user to take dangerous risks which may lead to death.

Cocaine (Coke) Cocaine is a white powder than can be snorted or injected. It is a very powerful stimulant which lasts approx 30 mins. After the 30 minute trip, the user may experience depression, confusion, restlessness. It may also cause heart problems and damage inside the nose. Overdoses of cocaine can be fatal.

Crack Cocaine (rocks) Crack cocaine is smoked. It has similar effects to cocaine but more intense. Crack cocaine is very addictive and usage can lead to heart failure and convulsions. It also can damage the heart and lungs and cause chest pains. Using crack cocaine can be fatal.

Cannabis (pot/weed) Cannabis is usually rolled with tobacco and smoked. It can help people to relax and heighten the senses. In the long term it can cause lack of motivation and psychological problems such as schizophrenia, depending on the strength of the drug. Cannabis can also be used for medical conditions, such as MS, but it cannot be legally prescribed.

Amphetamines (speed) Speed is a stimulant that causes insomnia and suppresses the user’s appetite. They cause depression and paranoia and increase the heart rate and blood pressure during the time when it is being used. In the long term, speed can cause heart defects and schizophrenia.

Anabolic Steroids These are legal if prescribed by a doctor for a medical condition but they can often be wrongfully used by bodybuilders to build muscle bulk. Steroids are illegal in all sports and carry lengthy bans. Using steroids can lead to aggression, heart and liver conditions and various hormonal imbalances (e.g. breast growth in men/ facial hair in women).

Tranquilisers These can be prescribed by a doctor as a short- term treatment for anxiety or depression. They have a calming effect on the user. The user’s reactions will be slowed which can lead to accidents and taking them alcohol can lead to serious problems. These are illegal, unless you have been prescribed them.

Recap health/addiction/young-and-invincible This clip shows the effects a legal drug had on a boy when he was getting his tooth out. Think about what the effects would be of an illegal drug!

Where are we now? Aim: To investigate the effects drugs can have on a person’s wellbeing Reflect on today’s aim, fill in the first section of your progress triangle.

Drugs and the Law Social drugs such as alcohol/ nicotine are legal despite causing a lot of harm to users. Prescribed drugs are only legal to the person they are prescribed to. Household solvents are not controlled but it is illegal to sell them to someone you think may abuse them. Over the counter drugs are legal (but the number you can buy is restricted) Illegal drugs are illegally manufactured and sold.

The Law and Illegal Drugs There are three main laws that deal with drug abuse. They are: Misuse of drugs Act, 1971 This act classified illegal drugs according to how dangerous they are. Class A drugs are the most dangerous, the B, and C are the less dangerous. Drug Trafficking Offences Act, 1986 This allowed drug traffickers to be imprisoned and their property confiscated. Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act, 1985 This Act mad it illegal to sell anyone under the age of 18 a substance he or she believes is being purchased for the purpose of inhaling to cause intoxication. The maximum penalty is £5000, 6 months in prison, or both.

What is the legal punishment?

Heroin Max 7 yrs for possession/ Life for supplying Ecstasy As Heroin LSD As Heroin Cocaine As Heroin Crack Cocaine As Heroin Amphetamines Max 5 years for possession/ max 14 years for supply Cannabis As amphetamines Steroids Possession is legal/ max 14 years for illegal supply (previously 5) Tranquilisers Max 2 years for possession without prescription/ max 14 years for supply.

Brain Time! ‘The sale of caffeine should be controlled.’ Do you agree? ( 3marks) ‘People should have the right to take drugs if they want to.’ Do you agree? (3marks) 6 minutes

Where are we now? Goal: To consider the legal status of different types of drugs. Reflect on today’s aim, fill in the second section of your progress triangle.

Plenary ‘People should have the right to take drugs if they want to.’ Do you agree? Refer to your previous 3 mark answer to help you.