Assessment 2A - Producing an Online Information resource

1. Drugs
An Informational Resource
By Lauren Casey
A Drug is any sort of
chemical substance
that has physiological
effects when ingested
into the body.
Drugs can be taken for
recreation or medicinal
purposes.
Recreational drugs are
mostly illegal and can
pose increased risks to
danger.
The Short term and long
term effect of Drug Use
can lead to serious
social implications.

2. Cannabis
Image Source:
http://www.cannabisculture.com/content/2012/10/23/States-Consider-Moving-Beyond-Medical-Marijuana
Information Source:
http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabis?gclid=CIv23puAj7cCFSpBpgodYjwAZg- Australian Drug Foundation, 2013
http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011
Cannabis is the most commonly illegal drug used in
Australia.
Cannabis is derived from the plants Cannabis Sativa
and Cannabis Indica.
There are 3 main forms of Cannabis.
• Marijuana
Marijuana is the dried leaves and flowers of the plant.
• Hashish
Hashish is the dried Cannabis Resin.
• Hash Oil
Hash Oil is the thick oily liquid that is extracted from
Cannabis.

3. Common Street NamesCommon street names for Cannabis include:
• Marijuana
• Grass
• Mull
• Pot
• Dope
• Yarndi
• Mary Jane
• Hash
• Bud
The use of these slang names can also be used in conjunction
with Slang terms for how the drugs will be used.
Common Slang names for use and abuse of Cannabis include:
• Blast (blast a roach, blast a stick, blast a joint)
• Blow a stick
• Burn one
• Fire it up
• Get a gage up
• Get the wind
• Mow the grass
• Torch up
Image Source:
http://teachers.smokesnojoke.org.uk/content/SmokingCannabis.aspx
Information Source:
http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0007/2410/Cannabis.pdf- NSW Police - 2010
http://casapalmera.com/nicknames-street-names-and-slang-for-marijuana/- Casa Palmera – 2013

4. Appearance and Ingredients
Image Sources:
http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/backyard-pot-growers-busted/1659541/
http://marijuana-seeds-cannabis.com/marijuana_seeds_cannabis_how_to_make_hashesh.php
Informational Sources:
http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011
http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabis?gclid=CIv23puAj7cCFSpBpgodYjwAZg- Australian Drug Foundation, 2013
Cannabis Sativa Plant
Forms of Cannabis
The Cannabis Plants has bright green leaves with a
characteristic shape of five to seven leaflets. A sticky
resin covers the upper leaves and flowering tops.
Marijuana has the appearance of dried herbs or tea. It
can contains seeds or twigs. Its colours can range from
grey, green or brown in colour.
Hash is the dried cannabis resin. This is usually sold in the
shape of small blocks. Hash contains a higher
concentrate of THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) the
main active ingredient of Cannabis.
THC is the chemical found in the plant that gives you the
feeling of a “high”. The potency of the THC depends on
what part of the plant you are using. The flowers and
bud have a higher dose than the leave or stems.

5. Short Term EffectsShorts term effect of Cannabis can vary from one
person to another. However, the most common
effects include:
• A person becoming more talkative
• A person experience dry, red eyes
• A person experiencing a dry mouth and throat
• A person feeling more hungry
• A person appearing more anxious and/or
paranoid
• A person having trouble concentrating
• A person experiencing increased heart rate
• A person experience breathing difficulties.
Image Source:
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bloodshot%20eyes
Information Source:
http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011

6. Long Term Effects
Image Source:
http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/116/article_4617.asp
Informational Source:
http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011
http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabis?gclid=CIv23puAj7cCFSpBpgodYjwAZg- Australian drug foundation – 2013
http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=128 – SA Government 2013
Long term and regular usage of Cannabis can
cause the following long term effects. These effects
are not only detrimental to a persons physical
health, but their emotional and social health too.
• Addiction towards the Drug
• increased risk of respiratory diseases including
lung cancer, and Bronchitis
• decreased motivation
• decreased ability to learn new things
• decreased libido and fertility
• depression and mental health
• Impairment of the Immune System
• psychological effects - this is more common if the
person is predisposed to mental health issues.
• legal problems - obtaining fines and criminal
convictions

7. Social Impact
It has been estimated that around 200,000 Australian adults
are dependent on cannabis. Approximately one in ten
people who ever try cannabis will become dependent on
it at some time in their lives.
Cannabis law enforcement costs the Australian community
well in excess of $300 million per year (about three-quarters
of the total cost of illegal drug enforcement). The
enforcement of laws relating to cannabis can have an
impact on future employment, education and travel
prospects of thousands of young Australians.
It has been reported that people who start smoking
cannabis at a younger age (early adolescence)
and who smoke heavily are more likely to experience
mental health problems. General life problems such as
conflict at home, school or work, Financial
Problems, Memory problems and legal issues are all at an
increased rate after years of drug abuse.
Image Source:
http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Separation-anxiety-disorder.html
Informational Source:
http://ncpic.org.au/static/pdfs/resources/fast-facts-on-cannabis.pdf –National Cannabis Prevention and information Centre – 2013
http://aic.gov.au/documents/A/D/5/%7BAD592CF2-21C6-45A9-AC71-0CF4445CF355%7Dti48.pdf – Australian Institute of Criminology - 1995

8. Drugs, in particular cannabis, can have serious short and long term effects on a user.
The active ingredient THC can range in potency levels, providing a variety of different
effects.
Long term drug use can cause serious social implications, costing the Australian
government millions in preventable funding.
The Drug slang can cause confusion amongst parents with teen users. This can than
make it difficult for parents to identify problems.