DRUGS

WHAT IS A DRUG? A drug is any substance other than food, which is taken to change the way the body or mind works. This includes: Illicit drugs, alcohol, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, laxatives, vitamins, sleeping pills, and everyday beverages, such as pop, tea, or coffee.

DRUG USE Drug use is ingesting, inhaling, absorbing or injecting any drug in order to change the way you think, act or feel, without interfering with one’s daily actions.

DRUG ABUSE Drug abuse occurs when the use of a drug results in a problem in one or more of the following areas: school, work, with family/friends, drinking and driving, etc.

HOW DRUGS ENTER THE BLOODSTREAM TAKEN BY MOUTH INHALED SMOKED APPLIED TO THE SKIN INJECTED

MARIJUANA

MARIJUANA Marijuana comes from the dried tops, leaves, stems and seeds of the cannabis plant. It is smoked in pipes or “joints”

MARIJUANA The active ingredient in marijuana is called delta-9-tetrahydro cannabinol (THC). There are more concentrated versions of marijuana, called hasish or hash oil.

MARIJUANA Marijuana will cause a person to have a “high” feeling, becoming more relaxed and talkative. Heart rate will increase and blood pressure will rise. Eyes will usually get red, and the person will become quiet and sleepy.

MARIJUANA Short-term memory, concentration, and thinking ability become impaired. In larger doses, the person may feel that sounds and colours are sharper or distorted, even to the point of hallucination.

MARIJUANA Long-term effects include infections (due to a compromised immune system), chronic bronchitis, throat cancer, heart attacks, stroke, and blood pressure complications. Testosterone levels can also decrease.

FAMILY