Alcohol - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Alcohol

Alcohol is seen by many as a more socially acceptable drug, but that’s not to say it’s any less powerful than other drugs. Technically speaking, it's a nervous system depressant, which means it slows down your body's responses in all kinds of ways. Just enough can make you feel great, too much and you’ll have a hangover the next day.

The effects

Alcohol will often exaggerate whatever mood you're in when you start drinking.

Alcohol is a relaxant so, in moderation, it can reduce feelings of anxiety and inhibitions, making you feel more sociable.

It takes your body an hour to process one unit of alcohol.

The risks

One drink too many can leave you feeling out of control – like slurring your words, losing your balance and vomiting..Psychological and physical dependence on alcohol can creep up on you. Tolerance gradually increases the more you drink excessively on a regular basis, so you may find you'll need more alcohol to reach the same state. In other words, you may seem to be getting better at holding your drink when that’s really a sign of a developing problem.Serious overindulgence can lead to alcohol poisoning which could put you in a coma or even kill you.Alcohol is blamed for contributing to all kinds of problems in Britain, from violent crime to domestic violence and to car-related deaths.Long-term excessive use of alcohol causes illnesses such as liver damage, stomach cancer and heart disease.

The lawUnder 18 – With the exception of having a meal in a pub, it's against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence or supermarket. It's also illegal to buy alcohol in a pub for someone who's not 18.Anyone over 18 can buy and drink alcohol legally in licensed premises in Britain

BOOZE

BEVVYSlide2

Cannabis

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Britain. Made from parts of the cannabis plant, it’s a naturally occurring drug. It is a mild sedative (often causing a chilled out feeling or actual sleepiness) and it’s also a mild hallucinogen (meaning you may experience a state where you see objects and reality in a distorted way and may even hallucinate). The main active compound in cannabis is

tetrahydrocannabinol

(THC).

The risks

Cannabis, can cause lung disease and possibly cancer with long-term or heavy use, especially as it is often mixed with tobacco and smoked without a filter. It can also make asthma worse, and cause wheezing in non-asthma sufferers.

Cannabis itself can affect many different systems in the body, including the heart: It increases the heart rate and can affect blood pressure.

If you’ve a history of mental health problems, then taking cannabis is not a good idea:  It can cause paranoia in the short term, but in those with a pre-existing psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia, it can contribute to relapse. It is reported that frequent use of cannabis can cut a man's sperm count, reduce sperm motility, and can suppress ovulation in women and so may affect fertility.The lawCannabis is a Class B drug - illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to five years in jail. Supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you fourteen years and an unlimited fine. If you are caught with cannabis the police will always take action

The EffectsSome people may feel chilled out, relaxed and happy, while others have one puff and feel sick.Others get the giggles and may become talkative.Hunger pangs are common and are known as 'getting the munchies'.Users may become more aware of their senses or get a feeling of slowing of time, which are due to its hallucinogenic effects.

HASH

WEED

SPLIFF

SKUNK

DOPE

GANGASlide3

Ecstasy

This is often called the original designer drug because of its synonymous relationship with rave culture in the early 90s. Clubbers took ecstasy to stay awake and dance for hours. The effects take about half an hour to kick in and tend to last between 3 to 6 hours, followed by a gradual comedown.

The risks

Physical side effects can develop that include: dilated pupils, a tingling feeling, tightening of the jaw muscles, raised body temperature and the heart beats faster.

Short-term effects of use can include anxiety, panic attacks, confused episodes and paranoid or psychotic states.

E’s can make users feel a bit down after use.

There’ve been over 200 ecstasy-related deaths in the UK since 1996

Ecstasy affects the body's temperature control. Dancing for long periods in a hot atmosphere increases the chances of overheating and dehydration. Ecstasy can cause the body to release a hormone which prevents the production of urineUsing Ecstasy has been linked to liver, kidney and heart problems. Anyone using too much can become paranoid and depressedThe law

Ecstasy is a Class A drug - illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you life and an unlimited fineThe EffectsAn E gives people an energy buzz that makes them feel alert and alive.Ecstasy makes people feel in tune with their surroundings – sounds and colours are more intense.

Users often feel great love for the people they're with and the strangers around them. Lots of people feel chatty on E. (These chats don't always make sense to people who aren't on an E).

PILLS

E’s

DOLPHINS

MANDY

XTC

ROLEXSlide4

HEROIN

Heroin is a natural opiate made from morphine (opiates dull pain). Morphine is extracted from the opium poppy. Like many drugs made from opium, including synthetic opioids (e.g. methadone) heroin is a very strong painkiller. ‘Street’ heroin sold as 'brown' is sometimes used by clubbers as a chill out after a big night out. Brown is still heroin but some people mistakenly think it's not as addictive

The risks

Deaths from overdoses occur. But the risk increases after a period off the drug because the body's tolerance for the drug goes down.

Overdoses can lead to coma and even death from respiratory failure (i.e. when breathing stops).

If heroin is taken with other drugs, including alcohol, overdose is more likely. Other downers such as benzodiazepine tranquillisers are also associated with heroin overdose deaths.

There's also a risk of death due to inhaling vomit as heroin stops the body's cough reflex working properly.

Injecting heroin can do nasty damage to your veins and has been known to lead to gangrene (death and decay of body tissue, usually a digit or a limb) and tissue infections.The risks of sharing needles puts you in danger of infections like hepatitis B or C and HIV/AIDSThe lawHeroin is a class A drug. This means that possessing it can lead to a prison sentence of up to 7 years and an unlimited fine. Supplying (which includes giving it to a friend) could lead to a life sentence and another unlimited fine

.The EffectsHeroin slows down body functioning and substantially reduces physical and psychological pain.Most users get a rush or buzz a few minutes after taking it.

A small dose of heroin gives the user a feeling of warmth and well-being.Bigger doses can make the user sleepy and very relaxed.

The first dose of heroin can bring about dizziness and

vomiting

SKAG

H

BROWN

SMACK

GEAR

HORSESlide5

TOBACCO

Tobacco comes from the leaves of the tobacco plant. It contains a drug called nicotine which is highly addictive. It's nicotine that gives smokers their 'hit'.

The risks

Nicotine speeds up the heart rate and increases blood pressure.

First time smokers often feel sick and dizzy.

Smokers are more likely to get coughs and chest infections.

Long-term addiction could leave you with cancer, emphysema (related to your lungs) or heart disease.

Smoking has been linked to the amputation of 2,000 limbs a year.It's estimated smoking contributes to 120,000 premature deaths in the UK every year.Other people breathing in your smoke could end up with breathing difficulties, asthma or even cancerThe lawIt's illegal for shopkeepers to sell tobacco or tobacco products to anyone under 18.

The EffectsSmoking any drug gets it to the brain quickly. When a smoker inhales, the nicotine reaches the brain in around 8 seconds. Regular smokers say it helps them relax and feel less hungry

FAGS

ROLLIES

SMOKES

CIGGIES