2. • Drugs are chemical substances that affect both your
mind and your body. The prolonged use of drug may
lead to physical and/or psychological dependence. An
overdose of any drug may lead to death.
3. What are drugs?
A drug is any substance which alters the way the body
functions. There are lots of different types of drugs.
Some drugs are illegal.
Cannabis, cocaine and
Ecstasy are all illegal drugs.
Some drugs are legal. Many adults in the UK
regularly drink alcohol and smoke tobacco.
Some drugs, like paracetamol, have certain health
benefits. They help us overcome illnesses,
diseases and infection. It is still important
to be careful when taking these drugs.
What is a drug? What different drugs do you know about?
4. Why do drugs make people feel good or feel
better—because of what they do to their brain.
Drugs exert their effects largely on the motivation
and pleasure pathways of the brain.
5. The following list includes the various kinds
of drugs, common names of drugs, and
descriptions of the possible health risks.
This list is not extensive, and other risks
may be involved.*
* Sources: American National Institute on Drug Abuse
10. Why do young people take
drugs?
There are many reasons why young people take illegal drugs.
Listen to these people give their reasons for taking drugs.
Can you think of any other reasons
why people might take drugs?
11. Peer pressure can often be a reason why young people try drugs.
But what is it exactly?
Peer pressure
Peer pressure isn’t just having
your friends stand over you saying
“Come on! Do it!” Often it’s much more
subtle. Because most of us want to fit
in, sometimes we feel pressure to do
what our friends
are doing, even if we know it’s wrong or
simply don’t want to do it.
12. It’s a good idea to have some solutions
ready in case you find yourself in a
situation where someone is pressuring
you to try drugs. Can you think of some?
How can we deal with peer
pressure?
Short term solutions
Say you’ve just remembered you
have to be home for something.
Say you are feeling very unwell.
Change the subject.
Long term solutions
Choose your friends carefully – a friend who pushes you to
do drugs is not such a good friend.
Agree in advance that you and a friend will both say ‘no’
together.
13. PREVENTION PROGRAM
SHOULD……..
Enhance Protective Factors
-strong family bonds
-parental monitoring
-parental involvement
-success in school performance
-prosocial institutions (e.g. such as
family, school, and religious
organizations)
-conventional norms about drug
use
14. How to Help Yourself
• Get educated
• Know your facts
• Take advantage of activities and events that do not
involve alcohol or drugs
• Choose to stay in control
• Address possible underlying problems (such as a
variety of anxiety concerns, depression, self esteem
issues, trauma, family and relationship
concerns)
15. Signs of trouble
How can you tell if someone you know has a problem with drugs
or alcohol? These are some signs to look out for:
change in appetite or weight
unusual behaviour
sudden secretiveness
persistent lying
sudden violent temper
mood swings
relationship with family
and friends is bad
loss of interest in hobbies
lack of grooming
stealing.
16. How can you help?
It is important to understand that a person with a drug problem
can only be helped if he or she wants to be helped. You can’t deal
with the problem for them, but there are
some things that you can do.Q
Let them know you’re worried
about them.
Remind them that you are
there for them if they need you.
Try to talk to them about why
they are using drugs.
Find out about some organizations that can help them.
Offer to go with them to get help.
Suggest that they speak to an adult they can trust.
17. Many environmental factors also
contribute to a person’s propensity to
take drugs of abuse. These include
having a history of physical or sexual
abuse, witnessing violence, or
experiencing other kinds of stressors.
Drug availability is, of course, a primary
environmental factor in contributing to
drug abuse and addiction.
