Drugs

1
Drugs

• Intermediate 1 Biology
• Unit 1 Health and Technology

2
Introduction

• Humans have used drugs of one sort or another for
  thousands of years
• -wine was used at least from the time of the
  early Egyptians
• -narcotics from 4000 BC
• -medicinal use of marijuana has been dated to
  2737BC in China

3
Types of Drugs-Stimulants

• Drugs that act on the central nervous
• system and increase brain activity.
• Some give feelings of alertness, greater
• energy and confidence.
• They may also reduce appetite

4
Examples of Stimulants

• Cocaine
• Crack
• Ecstasy
• Alkyl Nitrites e.g. poppers
• Amphetamines
• Nicotine

5
Types of Drugs-Depressants

• Drugs that act on the central nervous system and
  slow down brain activity.
• Impaired co-ordination, balance and judgement are
  common.
• Higher doses can lead progressively to
  drowsiness, vomiting, coma and even death.

6
Examples of Depressants

• Volatile substances or sniffable substances (eg
  glues, gases, aerosols)
• Alcohol
• Tranquillisers
• GHB (Gamma hydroxy-butyrate)

7
Types of Drugs-Hallucinogens

• Drugs that act to change the way users experience
  the world through the five senses.
• Sometimes this involves seeing, and hearing
  things which aren't there.

8
Examples of Hallucinogens

• Cannabis
• LSD
• Magic mushrooms
• Ketamine

9
Types of Drugs - Analgesics

• Drugs that have a painkilling effect.
• e.g. -heroin
• -opium
• -morphine

10
Types of Drugs Anabolic Steroids

• Drugs that promote muscle growth and increase
  lean body mass.
• These drugs mostly have legitimate medical uses
• They are often misused by those wishing to
  enhance their athletic performance or strength.

11
Statistics

• The following statistics are from the results of
  a major national survey of secondary
  schoolchildren aged 11-15 published by the
  Department of Health (DH) in 2002.

12

• 12 of pupils had used illegal drugs in the last
  month and 20 had used illegal drugs in the last
  year
• 13 of boys reported taking drugs in the last
  month compared to 11 of girls
• Use increased with age. Six percent of
  11-year-olds had used drugs in the last year
  compared to 39 of 15-year-olds

13

• Cannabis is the most likely drug to have been
  used, with 13 of pupils reporting use in the
  last year.
• Cannabis use also increases sharply with age with
  1 of 11-year-olds having used the drug in past
  year compared with 31 of 15-year-olds
• Class A drugs had been used by 4 of 11-15 year
  olds. One percent say they used heroin or cocaine
  

14
Risks of Using Drugs

• Risks vary according to
• -circumstances of the use
• -the motivation and knowledge level of the user
• -their mood and expectation at the time of use
• -the manner of use
• -size of dose
• -purity of the sample

15
Risks Factors Involved in Drug Taking

• Users can never be sure of exactly what they are
  taking
• Not knowing the strength of what has been bought
  could lead to an accidental overdose (which may
  be life-threatening)
• Users can't be precisely sure of the effect the
  drug will have, even if they have taken it
  before.

16

• Sharing dirty needles or syringes carries a risk
  of serious infections
• Mixing drugs, or drugs with alcohol
• Getting a criminal record.
• Effects on relationships, financial pressures,
  reducing judgement or performance etc.

17
Class A Drugs

• Amphetamines (speed) - if prepared for injection
• Cocaine and crack
• Ecstasy
• Heroin
• LSD (acid)
• Magic mushrooms - if prepared for use.

18
Possession of Class A Drugs

• Possession
• -seven years prison and/or a fine
• Possession with intent to supply
• -life imprisonment and/or a fine

19
Class B Drugs

• Amphetamines (speed)
• Possession
• -five years prison and/or a fine
• Possession with intent to supply
• -14 years prison and/or a fine

20
Class C Drugs

• Anabolic steroids
• Cannabis
• Mild amphetamines
• GBH
• Tranquillisers DF 118 (painkillers)

21
Possession of Class C Drugs

• Possession
• -two years prison and/or a fine
• Possession with intent to supply
• -14 years prison and/or a fine

22
Useful Websites

• http//www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk/drugs/drugmenu.html
  
• http//www.sorted4.info/html/400/430.html
• http//www.stonerlemmings.com
• http//www.lifebytes.gov.uk/drugs/drugs_facts.html

23
This powerpoint was kindly donated to
www.worldofteaching.com http//www.worldofteac
hing.com is home to over a thousand powerpoints
submitted by teachers. This is a completely free
site and requires no registration. Please visit
and I hope it will help in your teaching.