8th Grade1 Substance Abuse OTC/Prescription Drugs Lesson One

Drug Use In a discussion of drugs, "good" or "bad" are not appropriate designations. Drugs may be helpful or harmful, depending on how they are used. 8th Grade2 Drug Use refers to taking a drug correctly for a legitimate medical reason. Examples: aspirin for headaches insulin for diabetes morphine for pain relief

Drug Misuse Drug Misuse refers to taking a legal drug inappropriately. Examples using drugs with an expired shelf life swapping pills (someone giving a friend or relative some pain pills left over from his or her recent surgery) accidentally taking the wrong drug (taking a blood pressure medication instead of a heart medication) taking a drug incorrectly (If two Tylenol are good, maybe five will be better for my headache) 8th Grade3

Drug Abuse Drug Abuse refers to taking a legal or illegal drug in a way that damages some aspect of the user's life (mental, physical, social relationships, occupational performance). 8th Grade4 Examples: taking a drug for a purpose unrelated to a medical need; taking a drug to create a state of euphoria; taking a potent pain reliever like heroin simply to get high; using any drug to create altered consciousness underage drinking

What are Drug Interactions? It happens when drugs react with another drug, food or dietary supplement. Could increase or decrease the effect of a drug. 8th Grade5

Combining Alcohol with OTC/Prescription Drugs 8th Grade6 Mixing alcohol and medicines can be harmful. It can make you sleepy, drowsy, or lightheaded and you may have trouble concentrating or performing mechanical skills. Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination. It also can put you at risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulties in breathing. The combination can lead to falls and serious injuries, especially among older people. Legal But Dangerous OTC and RX drugsLegal But Dangerous OTC and RX drugs video

Combining Alcohol with OTC/Prescription Drugs 8th Grade7 Mixing alcohol and medicines can be harmful. It is dangerous to drive when you mix alcohol with certain medicines. In addition to these dangers, alcohol can make a medication less effective or even useless, or it may make the medication harmful or toxic to your body.

This is the end of The OTC/Prescription Drugs Lesson. STOP 8th Grade8

Substance Abuse Designer Drugs Lesson Two 8th Grade9

What are Club or Designer drugs? 8th Grade10 They are drugs made to resemble common illegal drugs in chemical structure and effect.

Ecstasy, Ketamine, PCP, and GHB Ecstasy is the most commonly abused club drug. You experience an increased awareness of senses, hallucinations, increased energy, and loss of judgment. Side effects may be muscle tension, teeth clenching, impaired learning and memory. Ketamine is used as a horse tranquillizer. After the initial rush, the body can become numb and paralyzed, there may be sickness and vomiting, and loss of coordination can make the simplest task impossible to do. PCP is also known as Angel Dust. It’s effects range from mild euphoria to distortions of reality, out of body experiences and psychotic behavior. GHB is a clear liquid or white powder and is also known as the date rape drug. It causes euphoria, relaxation, dizziness and loss of inhibitions. High doses could cause vomiting, memory loss, respiratory problems, loss of consciousness, seizures, coma and death. 8th Grade11

The Risks of Combining Alcohol with Designer Drugs death addiction criminal charges and prison terms heart and breathing failure blood vessel damage and stroke raised or lowered pulse or blood pressure aggressive or suicidal behavior jaw clenching and teeth grinding nausea and vomiting muscle cramping or seizures panic attacks or feeling paranoid overheating and dehydration blackouts or passing out 8th Grade12 It is impossible to know exactly what chemicals were used to produce designer drugs and they are often used in combination with other drugs or alcohol with unpredictable and dangerous results. The risks are: