Mountmellick
Community School
Drug
Research
What is a drug?
A drug is any chemical that alters how the body works, or how a person
behaves or feels.
A drug’s effects depends on
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It’s type and strength
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The amount taken
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The user’s mood and personality
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Other factors like body weight, age, gender,
Apart from the well known and much publicized dangers associated with illegal
drugs like heroin cocaine and cannabis,
Cannabis, and ectascy, legal drugs can also be misused it is important
to be made aware of the dangers theses misuses can have.
Why are drugs used?
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Medically to treat illness and disease
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To relieve pain
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Socially to relax and enhance pleasure
Who Misuses drugs?
Misuse occurs in all age groups. For young people there is the added
risk of it disrupting normal development and growth
Why do young people use drugs?
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Curiosity
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Peer pressure
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To feel grown –up
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Rebel
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Pleasure
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To help cope with loneliness, or depression
How do you know if someone is taking drugs?
Someone who is taken drugs is very often mistaken for some that is
not well. The symptoms are very similar; here is a guide to some of the
symptoms of a drug taker:
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Abnormally sleepy or drowsy
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Sudden mood changes
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Lack of concentration ,memory loss, black-outs, hallucinations
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Lack of interest in, work old friends and hobbies
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Staying out late keeping late hours
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Telling lies stealing
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Different friends
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Unusual smells, strains or marks on the body
Before concluding that some one you know is taking drugs it is important
to consider all these factors before confronting them.
If you do know someone firstly get advise from a parent, teacher
or counsellor. Any drug user be referred to a doctor , school counsellor,
or a drug treatment centre.
Be sure you know the facts and risks , its your life, so have
the courage to say “NO” to drugs. l it is easy to enjoy life without drugs
take part in hobbies or music. Most importantly share your
problems with your friends or someone that can help you don’t bottle them
up.
Written by Third Year CSPE Action Project members
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