Discuss the four commonly abused drugs and the effect
to one’s body. 1. Depressants. Sometimes called “downers.” They are also referred to as sedatives. Depressants cause depression of the brain’s faculties. 2. Stimulants. Stimulants are a class of drugs that speed up the messages between the brain and the body. They can make a person feel more awake, alert, confident or energetic. 3. Hallucinogens. Hallucinogens cause hallucinations and an "out of this world" feeling of dissociation from oneself. 4. Narcotics. Narcotics are also known as “opioids,” the term “narcotic” comes from the Greek word for “stupor” and originally referred to a variety of substances that dulled the senses and relieved pain. 2. Describe the manifestations of drug dependency in terms of the following: a. Physical • Changes in appearance. Some of the outward signs of drug abuse include excessively dry or bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, tooth decay, significant weight loss, pale skin, hair loss, and the presence of sores that won’t heal. • More frequent illnesses. Drug abuse damages immune system functioning and alters body chemistry in multiple ways. This makes addicts more prone to colds, flus, pneumonia, allergy attacks, bacterial infections, and a host of other potential illnesses or diseases. b. Psychological and Emotional • Abrupt changes in mood. As chemical imbalances develop, drug addicts can experience feelings of depression, anxiety, irritability, hostility, and paranoia that seem to come from nowhere. • Decrease in ability to enjoy formerly pleasurable activities. Drugs sap emotional energy, leaving little room for other types of enjoyment or pleasure. c. Behavioral • Blaming others for life problems. Unable to see through their own rationalizations, people dependent on drugs will usually blame others, or bad luck, or life circumstances, for their troubles. They become experts at making excuses to deflect responsibility and protect themselves from exposure. • Neglectfulness. As drug addiction deepens sufferers will begin to neglect their responsibilities, as parents, family members, friends, employees, students, and citizens. Drugs become their priority, and the physical and emotional toll of their drug abuse can make it difficult to manage—or even remember—their personal responsibilities. Describe only two from each. 3. Explain why the youth must be educated on the matter of illegal drugs. The youth be educated on the matter of illegal drugs for several reasons: Health and safety: Drug abuse can have serious negative consequences on physical and mental health, which can impact an individual’s quality of life. Prevention: Educating youth about the risks of drug use can help prevent them from experimenting with drugs in the first place. Legal implications: Illegal drug use is a criminal offense that can result in legal consequences. Societal impact: Drug abuse can have a negative impact on society as a whole, including increased crime rates and healthcare costs. Overall, educating youth on the matter of illegal drugs is crucial for their health and safety, prevention of drug use, understanding of legal implications and positive societal impact. Task 2 Instructions: Prepare a brochure to be used for awareness campaign on drug addiction and prevention. This will be distributed to schools and barangays.