Drugs
Intermediate 1 Biology
Unit 1 – Health and Technology
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
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
Examples of Stimulants
• Cocaine
• Crack
• Ecstasy
• Alkyl Nitrites e.g. poppers
• Amphetamines
• Nicotine
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.
Examples of Depressants
• Volatile substances or sniffable substances (e
g glues, gases, aerosols)
• Alcohol
• Tranquillisers
• GHB (Gamma hydroxy-butyrate)
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.
Examples of Hallucinogens
• Cannabis
• LSD
• Magic mushrooms
• Ketamine
Types of Drugs - Analgesics
• Drugs that have a painkilling effect.
e.g. -heroin
-opium
-morphine
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.
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% 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
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
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
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.
• 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.
Class A Drugs
• Amphetamines (speed) - if prepared
for injection
• Cocaine and crack
• Ecstasy
• Heroin
• LSD (acid)
• Magic mushrooms - if prepared for
use.
Possession of Class A Drugs
• Possession:
-seven years prison and/or a fine
• Possession with intent to supply
-life imprisonment and/or a fine
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
Class C Drugs
• Anabolic steroids
• Cannabis
• Mild amphetamines
• GBH
• Tranquillisers DF 118 (painkillers)
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
Useful Websites
• [Link]
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• [Link]
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