The consumption of drugs

Drug use is usually associated with the youngest or marginalized people; However,
psychoactive substances are consumed by people of very different profiles and of different
ages.
Currently there are many types of drugs that produce different effects for our body. But the
consumption of these substances is not something recent, as there is knowledge that in
ancestral times some psychoactive substances such as peyote were already used. That
yes, in spite of the traditional of its use, its effects are not always benign.
What is the prevention of drug abuse?
Early drug use increases the chances of a person developing an addiction. Remember,
drugs modify the brain and this can lead to addiction and cause other serious problems.
Therefore, preventing the early use of drugs or alcohol can make a big difference in reducing
these risks. If we can prevent young people from experimenting with drugs, we can prevent
drug addiction, for this there are three strategies:
 Demand reduction strategies
These strategies tend to reduce the desire and willingness to obtain and consume drugs
and to prevent, reduce or delay the onset of drug abuse. They may include abstinence-
oriented strategies.
 Supply reduction strategies
These strategies are aimed at preventing the production and supply of illicit drugs, at limiting
access to licit drugs and their availability in certain contexts. In the school environment, this
includes the measures adopted to limit the consumption, possession and sale of illicit drugs
in school premises.
 Strategies to mitigate the negative social and health consequences of drug use
These strategies are aimed at reducing the impact of drug use and drug-related activities in
the case of individuals and communities.
Role of the school in the prevention of drug abuse
It is possible and convenient for schools to be interested in reducing the demand for drugs,
reducing the supply of drugs.
Schools can very well influence behavior in terms of drug use and hopefully they will.
However, the main function of schools is to teach skills, impart knowledge and establish a
solid base of values in relation to health and drug use, and not modify behaviors that may
be determined by factors that escape influence. from school. Therefore, schools should not
make changes in student behavior in terms of health, particularly drug behavior, the only
measure of the success or effectiveness of prevention programs for the abuse of drugs.
Schools can and should inform the community about the attainment of educational outcomes
that have been identified that contribute to achieving broader health objectives, such as the
prevention of drug use and the reduction of adverse consequences for the individual. and
society.
Protection factors for drug use

A protection factor is that individual attribute, situational condition, environment or context

that reduces the likelihood of problematic drug use.
Point out that protective factors can not only reduce the likelihood of drug use and / or abuse,
but can also inhibit it.
The protection factors are classified into two groups:

• 1.- Linked to the characteristics of the individual.

• 2.- Linked to the social context.

1.- The protection factors related to the characteristics of the individual cover a wide range
of variables such as: positive attitudes towards health, ability to make decisions, values,
individual competence for social interaction.
2.- The protection factors linked to the social context are the protection factors that are born
in society and are destined to it. They have the capacity to favor changes in the behavior
habits of groups and individuals.
Main protective factors linked to the social context:
a) Family protection factors
- Good communication.
- Dispense consumption at home.
- Correct educational guidelines.
- Affectively close parents.
- Good family attachment.
b) School protection factors:
- Absence of drugs.
- Good school climate.
- Location of the cento.
- Teacher attitudes.
- Absence of conflicting partners.
c) Occupational protection factors:
- Good work organization.
- Contents of tasks.
- Good work environment.
- Adequate interaction with colleagues.
d) Group protection factors:
- Independence of its members.
- Assertiveness.
- Healthy hobbies.
- Above all: education.
e) Macrosocial protection factors:
- Difficult access to drugs.
- Leisure and enriching free time.
- Generation of community actions.
- Opportunities from the community.
- Health promotion.
 Consequences of drug use:

Drugs can produce different pleasant, exciting and even hallucinogenic effects, but their
consumption also causes serious consequences for the health of consumers and for their
social functioning.

1. Neurochemical imbalances in the brain

The consumption of psychoactive substances causes the massive release of some

neurotransmitters such as dopamine or serotonin that both short-term and long-term often
have consequences at the brain level. At the functional level problems can also occur due
to the neurochemical imbalance that occurs, for example, in reference to motivation,
memory and cognitive control.

2. Altered mood

Mood alterations are frequent with drug use. Not only in the long term, but also in the short
term, which means that a person can go from being relaxed to feeling irritated and
aggressive very often.

3. Family, relational and social problems

Problems at the family level are quite frequent regardless of the type of drugs consumed.

Social problems can also occur when a person is a habitual consumer of these substances,
and can lose friendships and even work. The person who uses drugs may show a loss of
interest in their hobbies and other favorite activities. Economic problems are also associated
with drug addiction behavior.

4. Addiction

Addiction is one of the consequences of drug use, and is what leads people to return to
consume these substances that cause an initially pleasant effect on the nervous system.

5. Cardiovascular problems

Cardiovascular problems are common with prolonged consumption of the vast majority of
drugs, as these substances alter the normal functioning of the heart.

6. Defects in pregnancy

Drug use in pregnant women has been linked to premature and underdeveloped babies,
because the abuse of psychoactive substances impairs the health of both the mother and
the child.
7. Weakening of the immune system

Studies show that most drugs weaken the immune system.

8. Respiratory problems

The consumption of drugs causes greater risk to suffer respiratory diseases such as
pneumonia.

9. Anti-social behavior

Drug abuse means that consumers can stop practicing activities that they previously
enjoyed, in addition to having problems at work such as poor performance in their tasks and
even abandonment or dismissal.

In the case of young people, the performance in school or the abandonment of these is a
more than evident manifestation of the consumption of this type of substances.

10. Insulation

Isolation can be a direct consequence of drug use. On the one hand, young people can
isolate themselves from family or work. The drug addict can isolate himself socially and even
personally, leaving to worry about their physical appearance and hygiene. Consumers can
live by and for the drug.

12. Death

The symptoms of the overdose that I mentioned in the previous case are the least serious,
but in other situations, the overdose can lead to hospitalization of the patient, coma and
even death.