DRUGS EWHS Health

Drugs as Medicines Purpose of Medicine: to prevent disease, aid in curing, relieve symptoms, bring wanted effects Over the Counter (OTC) – need the right one, do not overuse, maybe masking serious illness Prescription – can be easily abused & misused, based on body weight, age etc..

STIMULANTS INCREASES THE RATE OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS), THE HEART AND OTHER ORGANS

EXAMPLES - STIMULANTS Cocaine/Crack - addictive, restlessness, irritability, anxiety, loss of appetite, insomnia, increased body temperature Amphetamine - used in prescription drugs to reduce fatigue and suppress appetite, diet pills, twitching, irregular heartbeat, heart and blood vessel damage Methamphetamine - addictive, club drug, aggression/crime, sores, damage to brain cells, never can achieve initial high Ritalin - calms down people with ADHD or ADD Caffeine –may cause anxiety and insomnia. Nicotine – very addictive, similar to heroin

Cocaine Illegal very addictive drug made from the leaves of the coca tree. Cocaine use can increase irritability, restlessness, panic attacks, and paranoia. May cause psychosis, the individual loses touch with reality.

Amphetamines Abusers may become injured due to erratic stunts or fights with others because they believe that they are untouchable. Delusional feelings of power that can create serious consequences. May lead to psychosis, much like that experienced by schizophrenics.

Nicotine One of three widely used psychoactive drugs. Approximately 20% of US adults use tobacco

Caffeine The most widely used psychoactive drug in the world, found in coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate candy, and soft drinks. Increases energy and mental alertness, heavy use can cause symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia. Caffeine is addictive, and withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, and irritability.

DEPRESSANTS SLOWS DOWN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, HEART AND OTHER ORGANS

EXAMPLES - DEPRESSANTS Tranquilizers (reduce muscular activity, coordination and attention span…prescribed to relieve anxiety and muscle spasms…withdrawal symptoms can cause death) Barbiturates (mood changes, sleeping more, coma) Alcohol GHB (date rape drug, floor stripper…no memory) Rohypnol (“roofies”…date rape drug…now in a blue pill)

NARCOTICS Derived from opium plant…has a sedative effect.

EXAMPLES - NARCOTICS Morphine – (used for pain…blocks pain receptors, sedative effect, constipation, slow and shallow breathing, addictive) Codeine – (ingredient in cough syrups, similar effects as morphine) Heroin - addictive, derived from poppy plant, slow and slurred speech, constipation, respiratory depression, dry and itchy skin, overdose (would need to consume 1 gal of poppy seeds to show up on drug test)

HALLUCINOGENS Alter moods, thoughts and sense or perceptions including vision, hearing, and touch

EXAMPLES - HALLUCINOGENS PCP - “Angel Dust”, cigarettes or a joint dipped in formaldehyde, violence, inability to feel pain (overdose or accidents) LSD - “Acid”, some don’t come out of high, wires in brain crossed, paranoia, distorted perceptions of sound and color, flashbacks Ecstasy - hallucinogenic effect…clinching & hyperthermia…studies show a connection with early Alzheimer's…voids in the brain Ketamine - “Special K”, horse tranquilizer, used with animals for anesthetic, respiratory failure

INHALENTS Goes immediately to the brain, causing brain damage and killing brain cells Can cause sudden death by increasing heart rate, resulting in cardiac arrest, or it can cause death by suffocation

STEROIDS Synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone testosterone Causes mood swings, paranoia, depression, acne, sterility, liver cancer, aggression Males: Testicles shrink, breasts enlarge Females: Breasts shrink, increase facial and chest hair

MARIJUANA/HASHISH Marijuana - raises levels of brain chemicals called dopamine (causes a pleasure feeling) - when drug wears off a crash occurs (normal state begins to decline…creating a need for the drug) - contains more cancer causing agents than tobacco - weakens immune system - impaired memory, reaction time and coordination - decreased ambition - heart and lung damage, lung cancer - infertility in females and lowered sperm count in males - stronger than marijuana in the 1970’s - current studies showing connection to mental illness

Watch Truth About Drugs Video Respond to one of the following or come up with your own drug related paragraph: *The brain does not fully develop until a person’s 20’s. How is a young person’s brain affected by drugs? * Teenagers are very susceptible to addiction. Why is it so important that teenagers know the facts about drugs? *Marijuana is legal for adults in the state of Washington. Do you see any problems that this could cause? Watch Truth About Drugs Video

QUESTIONS

Crossing the Line: Choices Answer on slip of paper –NO NAME

Hallucinogens Narcotics Stimulants Depressants