DRUG ABUSE ENOTE

WEEK 9

SUBJECT: BASIC SCIENCE

CLASS: GRADE 7

TERM: SECOND

TOPIC: DRUG ABUSE

DRUGS

  Drugs are chemicals that bring about a change in the body. Medicines are legal drugs which are prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of a disease such as aspirin, paracetamol and chloroquine. These are legal drugs, meaning that they can be prescribed by a doctor, sold by a pharmacy and can be bought by the patients. But there are certain drugs that are banned because they can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. While using these drugs, people are also less able to do well in school, sports, and other activities, lt's often harder for them to think clearly and make good decisions. People can do dumb or dangerous things that could hurt themselves or other people when they use drugs. Such drugs are called illegal drugs and are prohibited from prescription by the doctors, from sale by the pharmacy and possession by a person.

   When people talk about a "drug problem," they usually mean abusing legal drugs or using illegal drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, crystal meth and heroin. Marijuana is generally an illegal drug, but some states allow doctors to recommend it to adults for certain illnesses.

USES AND SIDE EFFECTS OF DRUGS

When drugs are taken in appropriate amount under medical supervision then, they

1. Help in relieving pain.

2. Help in treating diseases.

3. Inhibit growth of germs.

4. Reduce fever.

5. Help in preventing growth of microbes in cuts or wounds.

SIDE-EFFECTS:

1. addiction or dependence.

2. A drug might, temporarily, make someone, who is sad or upset feel better or forget about problems.

3. Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart and other important organs. Cocaine, for instance, can cause heart attack even in a kid or teen.

4. Most psychoactive drugs can cross the placenta and affect the unborn child. Heavy and sustained use of some drugs during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, fetal distress or a range of other complications.

5. Driving safety requires mental alertness, clear vision, physical coordination and the ability to react appropriately. Drug use can affect these driving abilities and increase the risk of having an accident.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

1. Family or relationship problems

2. Problems at work or school

3. Financial problems.

Recent research on brain development has shown us that the human brain is not completely developed until the late teens or early twenties. Because of this, youths may be less able to see the long-term consequences of their actions and to make decisions accordingly. Drug abuse eventually causes problems for individuals in dealing with their family, community and school. They may have difficulties with the law when they resort to illegal actions to get money to feed their addiction. Under the influence of substances, they may have unprotected sex, which may lead to unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and/or babies being born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Young people who drink alcohol and/or use and sell drugs create an atmosphere that is dangerous and unsafe for other members of society. Also, they can be disruptive and violent when they are under the influence of the drugs. They are less likely to become productive members of society because they are at risk of dropping out of school and often lack motivation and self-discipline.

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS AND THEIR SOURCES:

Drugs are commonly classified according to their effects on the central nervous system.

1. Depressants

Depressants are the drugs that slow down the functions of the central nervous system. Depressant drugs do not necessarily make a person feel depressed.

The depressants include:

(i) Alcohol

(i) Cannabis

(iii) Barbiturates

(iv) Benzodiazepines (tranquilisers)

(v) GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate), or "fantasy

(vi) Opiates and opioids, including heroin (H, "smack"), morphine, codeine, methadone and pethidine

(vii) Some solvents and inhalants

  In small quantities, depressants can cause the user to feel more relaxed and less inhibited. In larger quantities, they can cause unconsciousness, vomiting and even death. Depressants affect concentration and coordination. They slow down a person's ability to respond to unexpected situations.

2. Stimulants

Stimulants act on the central nervous system to speed up messages to and from the brain. They can make the user feel more awake, alert or confident. Stimulants increase heart beat, body temperature and blood pressure. They also cause reduced appetite, dilated pupils, talkativeness, agitation and sleep disturbance. The stimulants include

(i) Ephedrine used in medicines for bronchitis, hay fever and asthma.

(ii) Caffeine in coffee, tea and cola drinks.

(iii) Nicotine in tobacco.

(iv) Some strong stimulants include amphetamines, cocaine, ectasy and slimming tablets.

Large quantities of these stimulants can cause overstimulation leading to anxiety, panic, seizure headache, stomach cramps, aggression and paranoia

3. Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens affect perception. People who have taken them may believe that they see or hear things that aren't really there, or what they see may be distorted in some way. The effects of hallucinogens vary a great deal, so it is impossible to predict how they will affect a particular person at a particular time.

Hallucinogens include

(i) Datura

(ii) Ketamine

(iii) LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; "trips" "acid", "microdots")

(iv) Magic mushrooms (psilocybin; "gold tops" "mushies")

(v) Mescaline (peyote cactus)

Some effects of hallucinogens include dilation of pupils, loss of appetite, increased activity, talking or laughing, emotional and psychological euphoria and well being. jaw clenching, sweating, panic, paranoia, loss of contact with reality, irrational or bizarre behaviour, stomach cramps and nausea.

Sources of Some Drugs

S/N	Drugs	Source
1.	Alcohol	Grape juice, corn (fermentation)
2.	Marijuana	Indian Hemp
3.	Opium, morphine, Heroin	Poppy plant
4.	Coccaine	Coca Tree
5.	Tobacco	Tobacco plant

SUBSTANCE / DRUG ABUSE:

Substance "abuse" can be described as the misuse of substances which have legitimate uses, but which can cause harm when misused. For example, certain

drugs are useful as medicine, but may be harmful when taken for non-medical purposes. Adults often have a drink of alcohol on social occasions, but it is harmful

, and may be addictive when used habitually or excessively. Glue is useful to fasten things together, but very harmful when it is inhaled. Substance abuse can also refer to the use of illegal substances, including "hard" drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Substances which are commonly abused include:

1. Glue

2. Petrol

3. Paint thinner

4. Alcohol

5. Marijuana (bhang, weed, hashish)

6. Cocaine

7. Heroin

8. Valium Diazepam

9. Psychoactive drugs -depressants and stimulants

The kinds of harm that can result from substance abuse include

(a) Family problems.

(b) Problems in the community

(c) Problems in school.

(d) Legal problems arrest for possession and use.

(e) Financial problems- stealing to get money to purchase the abused substance.

(f) Health problems - chest problems, mental instability, unprotected sex which may lead to unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.

  There are two main reasons why we should be concerned about substance abuse. One is the effect that abuse of substances has upon the individual. Substance abuse by youth can alter their lives permanently, destroying their health, productivity, and relationships with others. The other reason is the effect that widespread use of substances has on people around the abuser, and on the society in which they live. The abuse of substances can cause many physical and emotional problems. Inhalants such as glue, paint thinner and petrol, when used even once, can cause suffocation, visual hallucinations, and severe mood swings. When used over a period of time, the results can include hepatitis, nausea, nosebleeds, irreversible brain damage, nervous system damage, and death. The long-term effects of alcohol abuse may include stomach ailments, skin problems, liver damage, memory loss, heart and central nervous system damage.

ASSIGNMENT

i. How can a drug be beneficial as well as harmful?

ii. Give the classification of drugs.

iii. State two sources of drugs.

iv. Give two examples of drugs/substance abused.

v. Mention two effects of drug abuse.