Transcript Prescription, Non-Prescription, and Illegal Drugs

PRESCRIPTION, NONPRESCRIPTION, AND
ILLEGAL DRUGS
USE AND ABUSE
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
• Substance Abuse is any unnecessary or
improper use of chemical substances for non
medical purposes.
• Illegal Drugs are chemical substances that
people of any age may not lawfully
manufacture, possess, buy, or sell.
• Illicit Drug Use is the use or sale of any
substance that is illegal or otherwise not
permitted.
ILLEGAL DRUGS
• There are several illegal drugs out there. Marijuana,
cocaine, LSD, PCP, heroin, Ecstacy, and Meth are
just a few.
• These drugs have various effects and
consequences of use.
ALL DRUGS CAN BE ABUSED
• Many people think of things like crack, cocaine, or
meth when they think of drug abuse. While illegal
drugs are abused and dangerous, legal drugs that
can be obtained with or without a prescription can
be just as dangerous.
LEGAL DRUGS NOT TAKEN AS
INTENDED
• Legal drugs are used for a variety of reasons. Pain
relief, anti-inflammatory, treatment of conditions like
ADHD, anxiety treatment, or treatment of common
ailments like cough or cold.
• The most abused fall into basic classes: Opioid pain
relievers, stimulants, depressants, and over the
counter cough medicines containing
dextromethorphan.
HOW ARE THEY ABUSED?
• Taking medicine prescribed for someone else
• Taking too much of the drug
• Taking the drug for another purpose than
prescribed or labeled
WHY ARE THEY ABUSED?
• Illegal drugs are used with the purpose of obtaining
a high or other pleasurable effect.
• Legal drugs are abused for the same reasons.
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Opioids have effects similar to heroin
Stimulants can act like cocaine
Depressants can produce effects like club drugs
Dextromethorphan can produce hallucinatory effects
HOW DRUGS AFFECT YOUR HEALTH
• Physical health there is a risk for an overdose or
a strong, sometimes fatal reaction to taking a
large amount of a drug. There is a risk of
contracting hepatitis B or HIV with use of
substances with a needle.
• Mental health: may impair a person’s ability to
reason and or think.
• Social health may also be altered, teens may
lose friendships with teens who choose to be
drug free. Family relationships may also be
strained.
HEALTH EFFECTS OF LEGAL DRUGS
• Besides addiction, drugs that are abused can
cause many adverse effects on health
• Stimulants can cause heart problems and behavior
can be affected
• Opioids can cause constipation and depress
breathing (which can be dangerous)
• Depressants can affect cognitive and physical
ability
• Dextromethorphan can cause impairment of motor
function, heart issues, and brain damage.
SOURCES
• http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/
prescription-over-counter-medications