1. The Health Risks of Drug Use
Mrs. Vogel
Health 10-12

2. Substance Abuse
Substance abuse- any unnecessary or improper use of chemical substances for nonmedical purposes.
Overuse, or multiple use of a drug, use of an illegal drug or use of a drug with alcohol.
Illegal Drugs- chemical substances that people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or sell.
Using illegal drug is a crime called Illicit drug use
Illicit Drug Use- the use or sale of any substance that is illegal or otherwise not permitted.

3. Factors that Influence Teens
Peer Pressure- the influence of your friends or social group. Peers can influence teens to avoid illegal drug use. Teens whose friends avoid drug use are more likely to say NO to drugs themselves.
Family Members-Parents and other family members can encourage teens to not do drugs.
Role Model- coaches, athletes, actors, and professionals who speak about the benefits of being drug- free

4. Factors That Influence Teens
Media Messages- on TV, radio, websites, movies, and music can influence how you feel about drug use.
Misleading information- about some drugs can lead teens to think that certain drug use can be beneficial. Some teens believe steroid use boosts sports performance.

5. How Drugs Affect Your Health
Unlike medicines, illegal drugs are not monitored for quality, purity, or strength. They do not come with labels that list safety guidelines.
Physical Health- Some illegal drugs users inject the substance with a needle. This increase the risk of contracting diseases such as hepatitis B and HIV. A serious danger is the risk of overdose
Overdose- a strong sometime fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug.

6. How Drugs Affect Your Health
Mental Health-
Impairs a teens ability to reason and think.
Illegal drug (Ecstasy) the brain’s structure and function
Drug use may cause teens to behave in a way that goes against their values
Social Health-
May lose friendships
Relationships with family members may suffer
Legal consequences of drug use
Substance abuse is leading cause of crime, suicide and unintentional injuries

7. Other Effects of Drug Use
Tolerance- the body becomes accustomed to the drug and causes a need for more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effect.
Psychological Dependence- a condition that develops over time and causes a person to believe that a drug is needed in order to feel good or to function normally.

8. Other Effects of Drug Use
Physiological Dependence- user develops a chemical need for the drug. Symptoms of withdrawal occur when the effects of the drug wear off. Symptoms include:
Nervousness
Insomnia
Headaches
Vomiting
Chills
Cramps
Can result into death if severe

9. Other Effects of Drug Use
Addiction- a physiological or psychological dependence on a drug.
An addict is someone who requires persistent, compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful.
Addicts have a difficulty stopping on their own. Professional intervention is often necessary.

10. The Addiction Cycle
User takes the drug to experience the short-term pleasures.
The affects wear off, the user then experiences the physical and psychological consequences of withdrawal.
To relieve the symptoms, the user takes the drug again to relieve the pain and repeat the feelings of short-term pleasures
This cycle continues until the person gets medical help to stop using the drug.

11. Drugs take a heavy toll
Some people believe that drugs can help them escape or solve their problems.
Drug use can create problems that affect a user’s physical, mental/emotional, and social health.

12. Consequences for the Individual
Teens who use illegal drugs
Stop pursuing their goals
Lower inhibitions (which can lead to risky behaviors)
Engage in sexual activity
Increase risk of acquiring STD
Acting recklessly
Leading factors in teen depression and suicide
More likely to be arrested
Teens who are convicted of a drug offense can be sent to jail
Increase violence, crime, and accidental death

13. Consequences for Friends and Family
When a teen abuses drugs it affects everyone in his or her life.
May lose interest in healthy activities
Stop spending time with friends who value drug-free lifestyle
Family members (who feel responsible for their loved one) feel the burden of the emotional and financial costs of drug abuse

14. Consequences for Others
If a pregnant female takes drugs, those drugs are passed to the fetus.
The drugs have a greater effect on the fetus than the mother
The fetus may be born with birth defects, behavioral problems, or a drug addiction.
A nursing mother’s breast milk may contain traces of drugs that are passed to the baby.

15. Consequences for Society
Illegal drug use can result in a rise of crime and violence
DUI can cause injuries and death
Drug abuse can effect the economy
Research by Office of National Drug Control Policy shows that drug abuse cost the U.S economy $180 billion per year.
Lost work hrs and productivity due to drug-related illnesses, jail time, accidents, and deaths
Health care costs and legal fees
Law enforcement costs and insurance costs due to drug-related damages, injuries, and deaths