Year 7 PSHE Lesson 2 Drugs L O

Year 7 PSHE Lesson 2: Drugs L. O: To know the different types of drugs and consider why teenagers take drugs. Starter: What does the word ‘Drug’ mean? Try and write a definition and then check the answer on the next slide…

An international definition of the word ‘drug’ is ‘A substance people take to change the way people feel, think or behave. ’ Did you get it right? If not copy down the correct meaning.

Categories of Drugs There are three different categories to divide drugs into: • Socially acceptable drugs • Medicinal drugs • Illegal drugs Read through the information over the next few slides…

Socially Acceptable Drugs Some drugs are accepted by society and are not illegal. The most common is caffeine, which is found in tea, coffee, chocolate and high-energy drinks. It is a mild stimulant, but you should not have too much of it. Supermarkets are being asked to control sales of high-energy drinks to under 18 s. The other socially acceptable drugs are nicotine and alcohol, both of which are dangerous and therefore have an 18 age limit to purchase them. Nicotine is highly addictive and is found in tobacco, which contains tar and various chemicals known to cause lung cancer and other lung and heart conditions. Alcohol is dangerous when consumed to the excess. It can cause unconsciousness and even death and can damage your liver. It can lead to addiction and alcoholism and ruin people’s lives.

Medicinal drugs Drugs are important in the treatment of many illnesses. As well as helping to cure infections, drugs are also used to prevent diseases. You can be inoculated, for example, against measles and tetanus. This medicinal use of drugs has helped to eliminate diseases such as diphtheria and polio. Drugs are also used as painkillers. You can buy some painkillers like paracetamol at chemists because they are considered safe to use if you follow the instructions, though they can be dangerous if you take too much. Other painkillers like morphine are extremely powerful and can be addictive, so their medical use is strictly controlled.

Abusing Medicines While over the counter and prescribed drugs are there to help us when we are unwell or in pain, some people can misuse them. These medicines can be highly addictive. They can also cause… • allergic reactions; • breathing difficulties; • mental health problems.

Steroids Some people use steroids for medical reasons. However, some people take steroids to enhance sporting performance. When professional athletes do this, it is known as doping and is a form of cheating. It is also very dangerous for the athlete. • Stimulants are used to give more energy and stop athletes feeling tired but they are also very addictive and can cause heart failure. • Hormones, like HGH (human growth hormone) can help build muscles but also cause arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.

Illegal Drugs Illegal drugs are what most people think about when they start to discuss this topic. There are many different types, including: Some drugs are illegal for you to possess or to sell because they are considered to be dangerous and likely to damage your health. They include MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis, ketamine, heroine and cocaine. The law divides illegal drugs into three classes according to how dangerous they are considered to be. Class A are those that are considered the most dangerous and Class C, the least serious. Although they are illegal and you risk harming yourself by taking them, lots of young people ignore the risks and take them anyway.

Task: Copy the table into your book and then copy each item below in to the correct column in the table: Cigarettes Amoxicillin Cannabis Tea Paracetamol Ecstasy Socially acceptable (bought by anyone) (Have to be 18 to purchase it) Aspirin Super glue Medicinal drug Alcohol Ketamine Illegal drug Coffee Chocolate

Task – Read the following statement. Do you agree or disagree? Write an answer in your exercise book and explain why you agree or disagree.

Task – Read the newspaper article and answer the following question in your exercise book: 1. What reasons do teenagers give for taking drugs? 2. What do you think is the main reason why teenagers take drugs? 3. Write down the reasons why they should NOT take drugs? (think about the risks of taking drugs).

Task – Real life scenario Read the scenario and write down the answers to the following questions: 1. Is Sally doing the right thing? Why? 2. What would you do if you were Sally? 3. What do you think Sally’s parents will say to Dave?

Task: Try to come up with a catchy slogan to stop young people trying drugs for the first time. Maybe you could put some together and write a rap! Here are some examples: • • Lions, and tigers and bears oh my…drinking and smoking and drugs? Goodbye! Get high on life, not on drugs Drugs: You use, you lose Drug free is the way to be Too smart to start There is no excuse for drug abuse If you aren’t drug free, you can’t hang with me