Q.

NEED HELP OR
INFORMATION?
WHAT IS DRUG ABUSE?

Q. DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS

OF DRUG ABUSE? WHAT ARE
THEY?
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the use of
certain chemicals for the purpose of creating
pleasurable effects on the brain.
 Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even
several times a day
 Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other
thoughts

The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription 

BE
Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than
those for which they are meant to be used, or in  Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time

excessive amounts. Drug abuse may lead to social, than you intended

AWARE! physical, emotional, and job-related problems.

 Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug

 Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it

 Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting

back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
  Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing
problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological
harm
 Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such
as stealing
 Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the
influence of the drug
 Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or
recovering from the effects of the drug
 Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
 Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop
taking the drug
.Q. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT
TO LEARN ABOUT DRUGS?
Effective drug education is important because
young people are faced with many influences to use
both licit and illicit drugs. Education can play a
counterbalancing role in shaping a normative
culture of safety, moderation, and informed
decision making.
Q. WHY IS DRUG
EDUCATION IMPORTANT?
Drug education enables children, youth and adults to
develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to appreciate
the benefits of living healthily (which may or may not
include the use of psychoactive substances), promote
responsibility towards the use of drugs and relate these
to their own actions and those of others
Different drugs, different
effects
Drugs affect your body's central nervous system.
They affect how you think, feel and behave. The
three main types are depressants, hallucinogens
and stimulants:
 Depressants slow or 'depress' the function of the
central nervous system. They slow the messages
going to and from your brain. In small quantities
depressants can cause a person to feel relaxed
and less inhibited.
 Hallucinogens distort your sense of reality. You
may see or hear things that are not really there,
or see things in a distorted way. Other effects can
include emotional and psychological euphoria,
jaw clenching,
 Stimulants speed or 'stimulate' the central
nervous system. They speed up messaging to
and from the brain, making you feel more alert
and confident. This can cause increased heart
rate, blood pressure and body temperature,
reduced appetite, agitation and sleeplessness.
 Inhalants starve the body of oxygen and force the
heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly. Users
can experience nausea and nosebleeds and
lose their sense of hearing or smell.
 Narcotics relieve pain and induce sleepiness.
 Gate Way Drugs engage smoking and drinking
alcohol