Ch.14 Drugs
Created By Coach Luttrell
Information taken from Bronson, M.H.,
Cleary, M.J., Hubbard, B.M., Zike, D.,
Glencoe Teen Health Course 3, 2009
Lesson 1 Drug Misuse and Abuse
Objectives:
• The student will be able to explain the difference between
drug misuse and drug abuse.
• The student will be able to identify the risks of drug abuse.
• The student will be able to develop strategies for making
healthful choices about taking medicines.
Vocabulary Words (7): drug, prescription medicines, over-thecounter (OTC) medicines, drug misuse, side effect, tolerance,
drug abuse
Drug Use
• There is a difference between drugs and medicines.
• A Drug- is a substance other than food that changes the
structure or function of the body or mind.
• A medicine is a drug used to prevent or treat illnesses and
disease.
• All medicines are drugs, but not all drugs are medicines.
• Both drugs and medicines can be abused.
Types of Medicines
• There are two general categories of medicine:
• Prescription medicines- medicines that can be sold
only with a written order from a physician.
• Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medicines- medicines
that are safe enough to be taken without a written
order from a physician.
Drug Misuse
• Drug misuse- taking or using medicine in a way
that is not intended.
• Examples of drug misuse:
– Using a drug without following the instructions on the
label.
– Using a drug not prescribed for you.
– Allowing someone else to use a drug prescribed for
you.
– Taking more of the drug than the doctor prescribed.
– Using the drug longer than advised by the doctor.
• Side effect- any effect of a medicine
other than the one intended.
– Common side effects include stomach
upset, drowsiness, sleeplessness and
headache.
– Side effects should be discussed with a
doctor if they happen.
• When a doctor prescribes a drug that
needs to be taken for a long period of
time a drug tolerance may develop.
– Tolerance- a condition in which a
person’s body becomes used to the
effect of a medicine and needs greater
and greater amounts of it in order for it
to be effective.
Drug Abuse
• Drug abuse- intentionally using
drugs in a way that is unhealthy
or illegal.
• Drug abuse can affect all three
sides of your health triangle.
– Physical: sleeplessness,
irritability, heart failure and
stroke.
– Mental/Emotional: interference
with brain function, trouble
thinking, concentrating,
depression, anxiety
– Social: withdrawl from family and
friends, loss of interest in school
or other activities.
Addiction
• People who abuse drugs risk
developing an addiction.
• Addiction is a physical or psychological
need for a drug.
• Process of addiction:
– Regular drug use
– Tolerance builds
– User becomes addicted
• You can’t tell how many times you
have to use the drug for the addiction
to start.
• Drug addiction is a disease, just like
alcoholism. Treatment options are
available, but it is a long and
challenging road to quit using the
drug.
Ch.14 Lesson 1 Questions
1. Define drug. Use the word in an original
sentence.
2. What are two side effects that can occur
when taking medicine?
3. What is the difference between drug
misuse and drug abuse?
4. How does drug addiction occur?
5. What might you say to persuade a friend
not to take a medicine that has not been
prescribed for him or her?
Lesson 2: Marijuana and
Other Illegal Drugs
Objectives:
• The student will describe the effects and risks of marijuana
use.
• The student will identify the most commonly used club
drugs.
• The student will explain the reasons that teens abuse
anabolic steroids.
• The student will list the physical effects of anabolic steroids.
Vocabulary Words (4): marijuana, THC, amnesia, anabolic
steroids
What is Marijuana?
• Marijuana- dried leaves and flowers of the
hemp plant, called Cannabis Sativa.
• It is an illegal drug that is usually smoked.
What Are Marijuana’s Effects
• Marijuana effects the brain of the person using the drug.
• THC- the main active chemical in marijuana.
– Tetrahydrocannabinol
• Alters the way the brain processes sensory information.
• Some people have different experiences when using the
drug.
• There is no way to know what other harmful substances
may be mixed in with the drug.
Short-Term Effects
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Reduces reaction time
Decreases coordination
Impairs judgment
Memory and learning problems
Distorted perception
Difficulty thinking and solving problems
Increases heart rate and appetite
High doses can cause anxiety and panic
attacks
Long-Term Effects
• Contains many of the same chemicals as tobacco smoke
which can lead to emphysema and lung cancer
• Over 400 chemicals in the marijuana plant
• Long-term users experience changes in the part of the brain
that processes information.
• Associated with depression, anxiety, and personality
disturbances.
• Loss of motivation from long term-use can cause problems
with friends and family members.
Safety Risks
• It is an illegal substance in most
states, so users risk being arrested.
• Users may say or do things that
could hurt themselves or others.
• Impaired reaction time and
coordination make driving a car
dangerous.
• Since it impairs your judgment, you
risk doing other risky behaviors, like
drinking alcohol, doing other drugs
or being sexually active.
Marijuana and Addiction
• Frequent users can develop a tolerance that
can lead to physical dependency and
addiction.
• Each year more than 120,000 people seek
treatment for addiction to marijuana.
What Are Club Drugs?
• Club drugs get their name from
the places that they are often
used in.
• Some people believe that they
are safe to use, but they can
produce harmful effects.
– Hallucinations and paranoia
– Amnesia is a partial or total loss
of memory.
• When mixed with alcohol the
effects are increased and
unpredictable.
Ecstasy
• A club drug that affects the user in
similar ways to hallucinogens and
stimulants.
• Speeds up the central nervous system
making a person feel very alert or hyper.
• Scientific name is MDMA
(methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
• Street name UK “Mandy” and US “Molly”
• A synthetic chemical, created in illegal
laboratories where they add other
substances.
• Usually taken as a pill, tablet or capsule.
• Affects are more dangerous when mixed
with alcohol.
Ecstasy
• Some users feel energized, happy and relaxed, while others
become nervous and agitated.
• Initial effects can start within 30 minutes and can last for 3-6
hours.
• Effects such as sadness, depression and memory problems
can last for several days or longer.
• Research is being done to see how long-term use affects the
brain.
• Other effects may include: increased heart rate, sweating,
nausea, dizziness, increased sense of confidence, elevated
blood pressure, loss of appetite and chills.
Date Rape Drugs
• Rohypnol (roofies) appeared in the
US in the 1990s.
– Suppresses the central nervous
system (CNS)
– Odorless and colorless
– When in pill form, can easily be
slipped into drinks
– Once in the body the person is
unaware of what is happening and is
unable to resist an attack or unwanted
sexual advances
– Also causes amnesia, so the person
can’t remember what happened
Date Rape Drugs
• GHB depresses the CNS
– Was available over-the-counter until
1992
– Used by body builders to raise muscle
mass and lower body fat
– Usually comes in liquid form and has
been linked to sexual assault
• Ketamine (Special K)
– Anesthetic used in medical procedures
for human and animals
– Usually snorted or sprinkled over
marijuana or tobacco and smoked
– So powerful that just a small amount
can cause hallucinations, memory loss
and respiratory failure
Anabolic Steroids
• Anabolic Steroids- synthetic substances related
to the male sex hormones.
• Sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat
growth problems, lung diseases and skin
conditions.
• These steroids are similar to the male hormone
testosterone
• Help build muscle mass and enhance the
development of male characteristics
• Most often used to enhance athletic abilities by
adding muscle mass and increasing strength and
endurance.
• Harmful effects: liver tumors, cancer, jaundice,
high blood pressure, kidney tumors, severe acne,
trembling.
– Males: shrinking of testicles and breast
development
– Females: growth of facial hair, menstrual changes
and deepened voice
Anabolic Steroids
Abuse of these drugs has become a serious concern
in professional sports in the US.
A study asked athletes the following question: If
you were given a pill that would guarantee you a
gold medal but the side effect was that the drug
would kill you within "three years" after winning
the gold medal, would you take it?
65% said yes they would take the pill anyway.
Teens and Steroid Use
• Most teens avoid using steroids.
• Those who do choose to use
them risk damaging their health
and negatively affecting their
appearance (acne, hair loss,
stunting of growth)
• Can also cause mood swings
which can cause someone to
become angry and violent (Roid
Rage)
• Because teens are still growing
and developing, the hormonal
imbalance steroids cause can
lead to problems like the ones
listed on the previous slides.
Ch.14 Lesson 2 Questions
1. What is THC?
2. What are some health risks associated with
using anabolic steroids? (at least 3)
3. What are two long-term effects of marijuana
use?
4. Why do you think steroid abuse is a concern in
competitive sports?
5. What might happen to a person who
unknowingly ingests rohypnol while at a club?
Lesson 3: Narcotics, Stimulants and
Depressants
Objectives:
• The student will be able to name the most commonly
abused narcotics.
• The student will be able to describe the effects that
narcotics can have on a user’s health.
• The student will be able to identify specific stimulants and
CNS depressants.
• The student will be able to name the health risks linked to
stimulant and CNS depressant abuse.
Vocabulary Words (8): narcotics, opium, euphoria, withdrawal
symptoms, stimulants, amphetamine, binge, CNS depressants
What are Narcotics?
• Narcotics are specific drugs that
are obtainable only by
prescription are used to relieve
pain.
• Historically, narcotics were made
from opium a liquid from the
poppy plant containing substances
that numb the body.
• When used under a doctor’s
supervision, narcotics are effective
in the treatment of extreme pain.
• They are also highly addictive,
which means their sale and use is
controlled by law.
Narcotics and Addiction
• Narcotics attach to receptors in the brain to block
painful messages that are being sent.
• Euphoria a feeling of well-being or elation.
– Sometimes produced because the areas of brain that
receive pleasure are affected.
• Abusing narcotics is very dangerous because it can lead
to tolerance and addiction.
• Withdrawal symptoms are symptoms that occur after
chronic use of a drug is reduced or stopped.
– Can include pain in the muscles and bones, sleeplessness,
diarrhea, agitation, vomiting, cold flashes, involuntary leg
movements
Heroin
• Heroin is an illegal narcotic made
from morphine.
• Black tar heroin is the most
common type used in the US and
is produced in Mexico.
• Heroin is most often inhaled or
injected intravenously. Some
users smoke the drug.
• Users become easily addicted.
Psychologically they crave the
feeling the drug brings and painful
physical withdrawal symptoms
make it very difficult for the user
to quit the drug.
OxyContin
• It is a legal narcotic, available with a doctor’s
prescription.
• When used correctly it can control severe pain in
patients with cancer, back pain or arthritis.
• The long-term effect of OxyContin use is an
increased tolerance, which leads to physical
addiction.
• Withdrawal symptoms are similar to other
narcotics.
Local Problems With Teens
Austin Lee Edwards was
supposed to be almost
halfway through his
senior year by now,
finishing up another
solid season on the Nixa
HS football team’s
offensive line and
preparing for a career in
the U.S. Marines.
But Edwards was found
dead from an overdose
of oxycodone on July 26,
2010, the day he was
supposed to begin
summer football camp.
He was 17.
(All Information taken from Springfield News-Leader)
What are Stimulants?
• Stimulants are drugs that speed up activity in the
human brain and spinal cord.
• Heart beats faster, blood pressure and metabolism rise.
• Users will often move and speak more quickly than
usual. May feel exhilarated or excited, while others
become anxious.
• Some stimulants are so mild that people don’t realize
they are ingesting a drug
– Caffeine: found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate
• Simulant abuse is very dangerous
Amphetamines
• Amphetamine is a drug that stimulates the
central nervous system.
– Also known as “speed”
• Using large amounts can results in aggressive
behavior that is difficult to predict.
• Other effects are extreme weight loss and loss
of physical strength.
Cocaine
• Is an illegal stimulant derived from the coca plant.
• Usually sold as a fine white powder, cocaine is often mixed
with water and injected into the body intravenously. It can
also be smoked or inhaled.
• One of the most addictive drugs on the streets today.
• Affects the user almost immediately. Effects can last up to
a few hours.
• Taking large amounts can increase the effects, but can lead
to violent and unpredictable behavior.
• Repeated use causes tolerance to occur.
• During a cocaine binge the user risks overdose and death.
Crack
• When cocaine is heated and
mixed with baking soda and
water, it forms a substance
that is smoked.
• It gets its name from the
cracking sound that occurs
when the mixture is smoked.
• Crack is an extremely
addictive and dangerous drug.
Methamphetamine
• Highly addictive stimulant drug that
strongly affects the central nervous
system
• It is an epidemic in the United States
• The drug is produced in illegal
laboratories
• “Meth” is taken in many ways:
swallowed, snorted, smoked or
injected
• Street names: meth, crank, speed, 417
The Effects of Methamphetamine
• Initially users can feel confident and full of
energy. Because of this they often binge on
the drug and go days without food or sleep.
• Users behavior is unpredictable
• When addicted to meth it becomes difficult, if
not impossible for the user to feel any sense
of pleasure without the drug
What are Central Nervous System
(CNS) Depressants?
• CNS Depressants are substances that slow down normal brain
function.
• Sometimes called sedatives or tranquilizers.
• Doctors prescribe CNS depressants for relief of sleeplessness ,
anxiety or tension.
• Sometimes these are abused. Also if used for an extended period
of time they can lead to tolerance and addiction.
• They produce a feeling of calm or drowsiness when taken.
• Two commonly prescribed CNS Depressants are:
– Barbiturates: for anxiety, tension, or sleep disorders
– Benzodiazepines: for more serious anxiety or panic attacks
• CNS Depressants should only be taken as prescribed and under a
doctor’s supervision.
Ch.14 Lesson 3 Questions
1. Define narcotics.
2. Name two commonly abused narcotics.
3. Give three examples of harmful effects that
can result from abusing stimulants.
4. Explain the physical and psychological effects
that can cause a person to become addicted
to heroin.
5. What are some high-risk behaviors that could
result from the abuse of narcotics?
Lesson 4: Hallucinogens and Inhalants
Objectives:
• The student will be able to define hallucinogens.
• The students will be able to explain how
hallucinogens affect the user.
• The student will be able to identify the health
risks to a person who uses inhalants or
hallucinogens.
Vocabulary Words(2): hallucinogens, inhalant
Hallucinogens
• Hallucinogens are drugs that
distort moods, thoughts and
senses.
• Some of these drugs are
manufactured and others
come from natural
substances in plants, such as
cactus and mushrooms.
How Do Hallucinogens Affect the
User?
• They get their name from the word hallucinate,
which means to have visions.
• Affect how a user perceives the passage of time,
sees colors, senses motion or hears sound.
• Interfere with a persons though process and
ability to communicate.
• Users can no longer distinguish between what is
real and what is not.
• This can lead to strange and risky behavior.
LSD
• A drug made from lysergic acid
• One of the strongest and most widely
used hallucinogens.
• Sold as tablets, capsules, liquid or on
absorbent paper.
• A tiny amount produces a powerful
effect
• The effects are very difficult to
predict. Users may experience
hallucinations where they don’t know
who or where they are.
• Can also produce flashbacks. Weeks
or even months after the drug is
taken, the user may relive terrifying
thoughts or feelings.
• Street names: acid, blotter, white
lightning
PCP
• Phencyclidine is not a true hallucinogen in its
chemical makeup, but its effects are similar to
those of LSD.
• PCP can become addictive and cause violent and
unpredictable behavior.
– Because of this users are a threat to themselves and
others.
• Street names: angel dust, supergrass, killer weed,
rocket fuel
Inhalants
• Inhalant any substance whose fumes are sniffed and
inhaled to produce mind-altering sensations.
• Can be found in many household products that are
readily available.
– Paint, vegetable cooking spray, air freshener, lighter fluid,
markers, pens, correction fluid, hair spray, etc.
• Using a product for something other than its intended
use is abuse.
• Toxic inhalants are not meant to be put into our bodies.
– They can cause serious health effects and even death.
– Hundreds of teens die each year from sniffing or huffing
inhalants.
What Damage Do Inhalants Cause?
• Abusing inhalants damages
the protective coating on the
brain cells, called myelin.
– When myelin is damaged,
nerve cells may not be able to
send messages to other parts
of the body
• These results can be
permanent and severe
– Can effect a person’s ability to
walk, talk, or think.
– Can kill the user instantly
– Even a person experimenting
with inhalants for the first time
can die from choking,
suffocation or a heart attack.
Warning Signs of Inhalant Abuse
If you notice these signs in someone you know, tell a
teacher or other trusted adult!
Ch.14 Lesson 4 Questions
1. What are hallucinogens?
2. What are two possible consequences of using
hallucinogens?
3. What are 3 health risks to a person who uses
inhalants?
4. What might you say to someone you know who
is thinking of abusing an inhalant for the first
time?
5. Why do you think inhalant abuse might be a
serious problem among 12-14 year olds?