Transcript Stimulants - School

Polydrug Use
Learning objectives
• LO1: To explore what polydrug use is and
consider why people might do it.
• LO2: To investigate the risks of polydrug use,
and the different outcomes that may come of
it.
• LO3: To assess to what extent polydrug use is
a gamble.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_
zLSUY_FiU
What does polydrug use mean?
What is poly-drug use?
Polydrug use occurs when two or more drugs
are used at the same time or on the same
occasion.
This includes mixing over-the-counter drugs,
prescription drugs and illegal drugs.
Why do you think a person might
take more than one drug at a time?
Why would people do it?
• To increase their intoxication - so to heighten the effects of
a drug they already have in their system.
• To make their intoxication last longer.
• To counterbalance the effects of another drug.
• To go along with the expectations of their friends.
• In an attempt to cut back on one drug, some people start
taking another drug to help manage the symptoms.
• Because they are already
intoxicated and so are unable to
make rational decisions about their
drug-taking, and their wellbeing.
Wouldn’t be so stupid?
Polydrug use is often unintentional, as mixing
drugs can also occur when the manufacturer
combines different drugs to achieve a specific
effect or to save money by mixing in cheaper
chemicals.
Increased risk
Illegal drugs do not have a label on them saying
their content and purity. They do not come
from a reliable source, and you don’t know
what is actually in them. So, the extent of the
effects of most drugs are unpredictable.
Mixing drugs is even more risky, as you don’t
know how the different chemicals will react.
Many overdoses have occurred due to users not
knowing the content or purity of the drugs they
were using.
Polydrug use increases the risk of the
following symptoms and effects:
• Effects on heart rate, blood pressure and body
temperature can be exaggerated, which can
increase the chance of serious health
problems occurring.
• Higher risk of overdose.
• Increased effects may also cause severe
emotional and mental disturbances such as
panic attacks and paranoia.
What are stimulants and
depressants?
Stimulants and depressants
Stimulants and depressants are the exact
opposite of each other.
• Stimulants increase brain activity and
stimulate the body.
• Depressants slow down brain activity and
relax the body.
A person who is taking a stimulant may feel
alert and confident, while a person who is taking
a depressant may feel calm and free of mental
stress.
Polydrug use is common in social
situations, such as at clubs, bars, or
festivals,
and alcohol is the most common drug to be
used in polydrug use.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v
mzEzlMYGtQ
Dice Activity
As a table, you will
be given a scenario.
Take it in turns to roll
the dice & open the
envelope of the
number that it falls
on to find out what
happens to you.
Using the outcome cards of the dice activity,
answer the following questions in your book:
1) What is the street name for MDMA?
2) Is alcohol a stimulant or a depressant?
3) What could happen to you if you mix speed and
alcohol?
4) What is the toxic chemical that mixing cocaine
and alcohol produces?
5) What could happen to you if you mix heroin and
alcohol?
6) What is it called when you mix heroin and
cocaine?
Create an anti-drugs
slogan and logo in
your book.
It can be:
• Catchy
• Funny
• Informative
Homework: To finish
your logo and slogan.
Exit ticket
Fill in the back of your exit ticket with one of the
following ….
• Something you have learnt
• How you felt during the game
• How the word ‘gambling’ connects to today’s
learning activity
• What poly drug use means to you