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WHY DO PEOPLE USE DRUGS? People
WHAT IS A DRUG? A drug is any The risk of harm is increased if more
use drugs for a variety of reasons.
substance (with the exception of food than one drug is used at a time,
Young people often use drugs for the
and water) which, when taken into especially when drugs of unknown
same reasons that adults do. Some of
the body, alters the body’s function content and purity are combined. This
these include: to have fun to relax and
either physically and/ or includes mixing alcohol, over-the-
psychologically. Drugs may be legal forget problems to gain confi dence to counter drugs, prescription drugs and
(e.g. alcohol, caffeine and tobacco) or socialise out of curiosity as a form of illegal drugs. Polydrug use increases
illegal (e.g. cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine escapism to lessen inhibitions to the risk of the following symptoms
and heroin). WHAT IS A remove personal responsibility for and effects: increased heart rate
PSYCHOACTIVE DRUG? Psychoactive decisions to celebrate or increased blood pressure increased
drugs affect the central nervous commiserate to relieve boredom and body temperature overdose severe
system and alter a person’s mood, stress self-medication to cope with emotional and mental disturbances
thinking and behaviour. Psychoactive problems. Friends, parents, older such as panic attacks and paranoia.
drugs may be divided into four brothers and sisters and the media EFFECTS OF DRUGS The experience
categories: Depressants: Drugs that can also infl uence a young person’s that a person has when using alcohol
decrease alertness by slowing down decision to use drugs. POLYDRUG USE or other drugs will vary from person
the activity of the central nervous Polydrug use occurs when two or to person depending on the following:
system (e.g. heroin, alcohol and more drugs are used at, or near, the Individual (user) - Mood, physical size,
analgesics). Stimulants: Drugs that health, gender, previous experience
same time. Mixing drugs can also
increase the body’s state of arousal by with hallucinogens, expectations of
occur when a manufacturer combines
increasing the activity of the brain the drug, personality, whether the
different drugs to achieve a specifi c
(e.g. caffeine, nicotine and person has had food and whether
effect, or mixes in cheaper chemicals.
amphetamines). Hallucinogens: Drugs other drugs have been taken. Drug -
This can result in a person combining
that alter perception and can cause The amount used, its purity, and the
hallucinations, such as seeing or drugs unintentionally way it is taken. Setting (environment)
hearing something that is not there - Whether the person is using with
(e.g. LSD and magic mushrooms). friends, on his/ her own, in a social
Other: Some drugs may have setting or at home, at work or before
properties of more than one of the driving.
above categories (e.g. cannabis is
primarily a depressant and can have
hallucinogenic and some stimulant
properties).
Joshua C. Angue
G-9 Chico