HEALTH

GATEWAY DRUGS – substances that may not be addictive but may lead to the use of other addictive and
dangerous drugs. Usually affordable or not expensive.
Substances that are considered gateway drugs? Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol
1. CAFFEINE – is a stimulant found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and medicine
*Stimulants can increase physical activity. It makes a person alert,excited and overcome fatigue
*Large amount of caffeine in the body affects the nervous system.
*The most socially accepted and available drug
a. COFFEE
* the amount of caffeine varies depending on the strength of the brand of the coffee
*EXPRESSO is the strongest type of coffee
*INSTANT COFFEE contains small amount of caffeine
b .CHOCOLATE
*The amount of caffeine varies depending on the brand and type of chocolate
c. TEA
*Different tea brands contain different levels of caffeine.
d. SOFT DRINKS
*Soft drinks contain large amount of caffeine.
*COLA is the most popular source of caffeine. Contains 30-60 mg of caffeine per 330 ml
* Iced tea and root bear are other sources of caffeine. They are similar to regular tea.
2. TOBACCO – contains nicotine.
. NICOTINE- It is an addictive habit forming drug
3 ALCOHOL
 Act as a powerful depressant to the body
 The alcohol used in beverages is ethyl alcohol or ethanol.
 The alcohol in beer, wine and liquor can cause confusion, decreased alertness, poor coordination blurred
vision and drowsiness, and even death when it is taken in large amounts
 DEPRESSANTS are drugs used to slow down the body’s function.
 FERMENTATION is the process when yeast produces ethanol from sugar.
*CIGARRETE SMOKE can cause ill-effects to smokers and to second-hand smokers.
SECOND-HAND SMOKERS -those who inhale the cigarette smoke even if they are not smoking
*Smoke inhaled by smokers and second hand smokers contain the same amount of chemical substance that can
make a person sick.
HARMFUL CHEMICALS THAT ARE FOUND IN CIGARRETES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON PEOPLE’S
HEALTH
1. NICOTINE -it is an addictive substance and one of the strongest poisons known to man.
 Also found in bug spray
 EFFECTS: Enters the lungs where it is absorbed into the blood and affects the brain within a few
minutes;causes increased heart pressure and heart rate
 2. CARBON MONOXIDE – it is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless, poisonous gas
 Also found in car exhaust
 EFFECTS: Decreases muscles and heart function, causes fatigue, weakness and dizziness, leads to coma
and death if inhaled in enough amount
3. TAR – it is dark and sticky substance produced when tobacco or cigarette is burned.
 Also used to mar roads
 EFFECTS: Stains the finger teeth and tongue,
When tar is inhaled it sticks and covers the tiny hairs on the lungs which can lead to
lung diseases
4. AMMONIA - it is colorless inorganic compound and composed of nitrogen and hydrogen
 Found in cleaning products
 EFFECTS : Causes asthma,raises blood pressure
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
1. Affects sleep.
2. It increased urine output. When alcohol is present in the body , the kidneys cannot work properly
causing more amount of urine to come out of the body. This effect is called DIURETIC EFFECT of
alcohol wherein the person who drinks alcohol lose more water than the usual.
*Alcohol contains intoxicating substance that can slow down movement, speech and thinking ability
REASONS WHY PEOPLE SMOKE
1. They are curious in finding out what the new experience will bring to them
2. They are influenced by their friends, relatives and peers to smoke.
3. They want to be accepted into their circle of friends who are smokers.
4. They find it hard to resist to their friends who offer them to puff cigarettes
REASONS WHY PEOPLE DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
1. Out of curiosity and then become addicted to the taste
2. Many people choose to drink to celebrate special occasions.
3. Believes that drinking can enhance the taste of food.
4. Some are pressured by their peers.
HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOL THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY
LIFESTYLE
1. Participate in school and community activities
2. Discover, explore and enhance your talents
3. Try a new and challenging hobby.
4. Participate in charitable works or activities that may help others.
LIFE SKILLS – refer to the ability to mingle with friends and classmate and effectively talk with them .
*In education , LIFE SKILLS refer the ability to facilitate, promote and practice emotional and social skills
among pupils and teachers.

USEFUL LIFE SKILLS THAT ARE NEEDED

1. GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS is important in conveying one’s message to friends, family
members and to members of the community.
2. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS- refer to the ability or knowledge of a person to effectively deal with other
people.