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DrugsA drug is any substance which when taken will change the chemical processes in the body. It may change how you feel, act and behave. Types of drugsWhen the word drug is mentioned, many people may just jump and think 'cocaine, weed' etc. There are more drugs than these, lets get this clarified. 1. Classes based on the use of the drug Medical drugs: These are drugs used to treat an illness. There many classes under this group, for example:
Recreational drugs: These are drugs that people use for pleasure. they include both legal and illegal drugs, for example:
2. Classes based on perceived harm to health Governments and the international community have asked scientists to classify drugs according to how much damage they cause to human health. This had led to the classification of drugs into legal and illegal drugs Legal drugs - e.g. alcohol (in many countries), caffeine, tobacco (nicotine) Illegal drugs- cause major harm to health in the short term. They are classified into classes A, (very harmful), B, C, D (less harmful).
3. Classes based on their effect on the body Stimulants- Speed up reactions, for example, caffeine, ecstacy, nicotine Depressants- Slow down responses, for example, alcohol Hallucinogens- Confuse senses, for example cannabis Narcotics- Sleep inducing, for example cocaine, heroin
Effects of smokingTobacco smoke contains 3 harmful substances: Nicotine- Is addictive, also affects blood vessels Carbon monoxide: Is produced by incomplete burning of tobacco. It binds to red blood cells and reduces their ability to carry oxygen. It affects the cardiovascular system (heart and circulation). Tar- A mixture of hundreds of chemicals, some of them are carcinogenic= They cause cancer of the lungs.
Effects of alcoholAlcohol is a depressant, it slows down reactions Short term effects: Speech becomes slurred, causes loss of balance, poor judgement. Long term effects: Long term overconsumption of alcohol my lead to : High blood pressure, liver cirrhosis (hardening of the liver).
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Challenge yourself: Find out about doping. Why is it done?
What kind of drugs can be abused by athletes? Doctors will not give you antibiotics for flu, why? What is a gateway drug? Give an example. Alcohol and tobacco kill millions of people every year worldwide. Find out as many reasons why they are still legal in many countries.
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