LEGAL AND ILLEGAL DRUGS
Proper Use
• Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs – a medicine that
is sold legally in pharmacies and other stores
without a doctor’s prescription.
• Prescription drugs – a drug that can be obtained
only with a written order from a doctor and can
only be purchased at a pharmacy.
• By using the instructions on the label or
following the doctor’s orders to treat a medical
condition, is the proper use of these drugs.
LEGAL AND ILLEGAL
DRUGS
• Drug Misuse: the improper use of medicines
(prescription or OTC drugs). Examples would be
taking more than the prescribed amount or not
taking a drug for the correct period of time.
• Drug Abuse: when a drug is intentionally use
improperly or unsafely. Examples would be
abusing prescription pain killers or OTC cough
medicines to cause a “high”, rather than to treat
pain or a cough.
DANGERS OF DRUG MISUSE AND
ABUSE
Side effects – unwanted physical or mental effect
cause by a drug.
Tolerance – drug use needs increasingly larger
amounts of the drug to achieve the original
effect.
Dependence – the body develops a chemical need
for the drug and can’t function normally without
it.
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
group of symptoms that occurs upon the
abrupt discontinuation/separation or a
decrease in dosage of the intake of
medications, recreational drugs, and alcohol.
**In order to experience the symptoms of withdrawal, one
must have first developed a physical/mental dependence
“chemical dependency”
ex: nausea, vomiting, headaches, fever, paranoia,
seizures, death
RISK FACTORS
A number of factors make it either more or less
likely that a teen will abuse drugs.
They include family factors, social factors, and
personal factors.
*life crisis coping
COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS:
Depressants:
Slow body functions by decreasing heart and
breathing rates and lowering blood pressure.
Examples - Barbiturates, Sedatives, Painkillers,
Tranquilizers, Opiates, Heroin, Morphine,
Codeine, Alcohol, GHB
Common Side effects – poor coordination, slurred
speech, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting,
impaired judgment, memory problems, and
drowsiness
DEPRESSANTS
COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS:
Stimulants:
Increase heart rate, blood pressure,
breathing rate and alertness.
Examples – Amphetamines, Speed,
Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Crack
Cocaine, Ecstasy
Side effects – restlessness, rapid speech,
increased respiration, convulsions, stroke,
loss of appetite, nausea
STIMULANTS
COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS:
Hallucinogens :
Overload the brain with sensory
information, causing a distorted sense of
reality.
Examples – LSD (“acid”), Psilocybin
(“mushrooms”), PCP (“angel dust”),
Ketamine, Mescaline (“peyote”), Ecstasy
Side Effects – hallucinations, flashbacks,
eliminated sensation of pain,
schizophrenia
HALLUCINOGENS
COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS:
Marijuana:
Most frequently abused psychoactive
drug
Its main ingredient changes the way information
reaches and is acted upon by the brain.
Side Effects – distorted perceptions, difficulties
with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor
coordination, increased heart rate, anxiety,
paranoia
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/#/videos
COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS:
Club Drugs:
Strength and quality of these drugs is unpredictable
and their effects are different from person to
person and are very dangerous.
Some people are unknowing victims of these drugs;
they are often referred to as “date-rape” drugs.
Examples – Ecstasy, Rohypnol, GHB, Ketamine
CLUB DRUGS
ECSTASY DATABASE
COMMONLY ABUSED
DRUGS:
Inhalants:
A breathable chemical vapor that produces mindaltering effects.
Examples – glue, household cleaners, nail polish
remover, markers
Side Effects – increased heart rate, depressed
brain function, cardiac arrest, suffocation, loss
of consciousness, death
COMMONLY ABUSED
DRUGS:
Steroids:
Synthetic drugs that are similar to the
hormone testosterone.
Side Effects in Males – enlarged breasts, sterility
Side Effects in Females – facial hair growth,
deepening of voice
Overall Side Effects – stunted growth, mood swings,
hair loss, acne
CAFFEINE ?
The most comprehensive chart of beverage caffeine content online. Find the
amount of caffeine in coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks and energy
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Energy Fiend Caffeine-Database