The document discusses the issue of drug abuse among youth and provides information about different types of drugs. It notes that drug abuse is a major risk behavior among youth that can lead to physical and mental health complications. Various drugs are classified based on their effects on the body and potential health risks are outlined for different drug classes. Causes of drug abuse among youth are mentioned, such as peer pressure. The document emphasizes that drugs can destroy dreams and relationships and provides tips for helping oneself stop drug abuse and where to seek support. It encourages working together to make a difference on this issue.
2. • It is a popularly held belief that the youths of any nation
are the leaders of tomorrow (But we are Leaders of TODAY;
Act Wise). They are the vehicles through which positive
changes can be realized.
• This is why many tend to invest on the future development
of its youths. Governments, parents, and guardians devote
a lot of time and resources in order to explore and harness
the potentialities of youth.
• Therefore, societies that neglect the youth development
may negatively affect future national development. Youth
when neglected, can find escape and solace in such things
as drug abuse, pick-pocketing, loitering, rape, auto-theft,
truancy, delinquent or criminal act and insurgency (Radda,
2009).
3. • Drugs are chemical substances that affect
both your mind and your body. The
prolonged use of drug may lead to physical
and/or psychological dependence. An
overdose of any drug may lead to death.
• Drugs is not bad but the problem is the
usage.
4. • Drug abuse is the major risk behaviour among
youth and adolescents, with physical and
mental health complications. Despite the
known risks associated with the drugs, youths
continue using these drugs (Mamman et al.
2014)
5. Drugs can be classified in many ways:
o by the way they are dispensed——over the counter or by
prescription;
o by the substance from which they are derived—plant, mineral, or
animal;
o by the form they take—capsule, liquid, or gas; and
o by the way they are administered—by mouth, injection, inhalation,
or direct application to the skin (absorption).
The most common way to categorize a drug is by its effect on a
particular area of the body or a particular condition.
o Endocrine drugs correct the overproduction or underproduction of
the body’s natural hormones.
o Anti-infective drugs are classified as antibacterials, antivirals, or
antifungals depending on the type of microorganism they combat.
Anti-infective drugs interfere selectively with the functioning of a
microorganism while leaving the human host unharmed.
Antibacterial drugs, Antibiotics, Antiviral drugs, immunodeficiency
virus (HIV)drugs, Vaccines, Antifungal drugs.
6. o Cardiovascular drugs affect the heart and blood vessels and
are divided into categories according to function.
o Antihypertensive drugs reduce blood pressure by dilating
blood vessels and reducing the amount of blood pumped by
the heart into the vascular system.
o Antiarrhythmic drugs normalize irregular heartbeats and
prevent cardiac malfunction and arrest.
o Anti-anemic drugs, such as certain vitamins or iron,
enhance the formation of red blood cells.
o Anticoagulants like heparin reduce blood-clot formation and
ensure free blood flow through major organs in the body.
o Central nervous system drugs—that is, drugs that affect
the spinal cord and the brain—are used to treat several
neurological (nervous system) and psychiatric problems.
Such as Antipsychotic drugs, Antidepressant drugs,
Sedative-hypnotic drugs, Analgesic drug
(Encarta, 2009)
7. Drug Abuse can be defined as the use of a drug to the
extent that it interferes with the health and social
function of an individual or self-administration of drug in
a manner that deviates from the approved medical and
social patterns within a given culture (Akanbi et al; 2015,
Bassey et al; 2013).
Drug addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease
that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite
harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to
those around him or her (NIDA, 2011).
9. The following list includes the various
kinds of drugs, common names of drugs,
and descriptions of the possible health
risks. This list is not extensive, and other
risks may be involved.*
* Sources: American National Institute on Drug Abuse
10. Drug Class (Examples) Symptoms Health Effects
DEPRESSANTS: Barbiturates, tranquilizer,Rohypnol
methaqualone, yellow jackets, red devils, Blue
devis, Nembutal, Seconal, sopors, Valium
Tranxene, Xanax, Librium (1-16 hours effect)
Slurred speech,
disorientation, drunken
behavior with no odor of
alcohol. Sedation,
fatigue. Decreased
breathing, pulse & blood
pressure.
Can cause slurred speech,
staggering gait, poor
judgment, & slow, uncertain
reflexes. Large doses can cause
unconsciousness and death.
Mixing of these depressants
with alcohol causes thousands
of accidental deaths.
STIMULANTS: Cocaine, Caffeine, Nicotine
(Cigarettes) (1/2 to 2 hours effect)
Apathy, anxiety,
sleeplessness, paranoia,
hallucinations, craving
for more cocaine. Weight
loss. Constant sniffing.
Mood swings.
Can cause seizures, heart
attacks and death.
Causes dilated pupils,
increased blood
pressure, heart rate, breathing
rate, & body temperature.
Crack Cocaine/crack, rock
(5-10 minute effect)
Same as Stimulants
Symptoms (cocaine).
More & stronger cocaine is
getting to the brain quicker,
Can cause seizures, heart
attacks and death.
11. Drug Class (Examples) Symptoms Health Effects
ALCOHOL/beer, wine, wine
coolers, whiskey, vodka,
tequila, rum, hard Liquor (1-12
hours effect)
Puffiness of face, redness of
eyes, depression,
disorientation, shallow
respiration, nausea, cold &
clammy skin, dehydration.
Slurred speech. Impairs muscle
coordination, memory
& judgment.
Causes depression, aggression,
slurred speech, muscular
incoordination. Frequent use
can lead to cirrhosis of liver,
pancreatitis, brain disorders,
vitamin deficiencies &
malnutrition. Can lead to coma
or death in large quantities.
CANNABIS: Marijuana/pot,
reefer, grass, THC, hash, hash
oil, herb, (2-4 hours effect)
Euphoria, relaxed inhibitions,
disoriented behavior, staring
off into space, hilarity without
cause. Time distortion.
Bloodshot eyes, dry mouth
& throat, increased appetite.
Fatigue, hallucinations,
depression.
Can impair memory perception
& judgment by destroying brain
cells. Raises blood pressure.
Contains more known
carcinogens (poisons) than
Cigarettes that can damage the
heart and lungs
12. Drug Class (Examples) Symptoms Health Effects
NARCOTICS: Opium, Tramadol,
Heroin/Mexican brown,, black tar,
Codeine, Morphine, Meporidine-
demerol, Opium, (12-24 hours
effect)
Watery eyes, Drowsiness,, runny
nose, yawning, loss of appetite,
tremors, irritability, panic, chills,
sweating, cramps, nausea, apathy,
euphoria, itching, constricted
pupils, reduced vision, reparatory
depression.
Mental deterioration,
destruction of brain and liver,
hepatitis. Death from overdose
May cause nausea and
vomiting. Can lead to
convulsions, coma, & death.
Repeated use can lead to
infections of the heart lining &
valves, skin abscesses &
congested lungs.
INHALANT: Gas, Glue &
Rush/Locker Room, aerosol cans,
poppers, snappers, amyl nitrate,
gasoline, lighter fluid, whippets.
(Inhaled through a saturated cloth
or in a bag covering nose and
mouth.)
Lack of coordination, slurred
speech, drowsiness, loss of
appetite, fatigue. Hallucinations,
dizziness, scrambled words &
disconnected sentences. Nausea,
running nose, decreased heart
rate.
Brain damage occurs when used
over a long period of time. All
these chemicals carry considerable
risk, particularly of cardiac
arrhythmia. Nausea, vomiting. Can
also cause suffocation the first time
or any time used.
13. Drug Class (Examples) Symptoms Health Effects
HALLUCINOGENS: Lyseric Acid
Diethylamide (LSD), Mescaline,
Peyote, Mesk, buttons,
Psilocybin, magic mushrooms,
acid, blotter-acid, MDA-love
drug
(3-12 hours effect)
Beady eyes, nervous, erratic
behavior, laughing, crying,
panic, personality changes,
"sees” smells, "hears"
colors. Psychological changes
can be permanent.
Poor perception of time and
distance. Overdose can lead
to death.
Dilated pupils, nausea, increased
blood pressure, hallucinations,
stomach cramps, blackouts.
Flashbacks, a recurrence of the
drug effects, may be a problem
for some.
Overdose can lead to death.
APHRODISIACS (SEXUAL-
ENHANCING DRUG) Man
Power, Paraga, Sepe, opa eyin,
Ecstasy, X-TC
Confusion, depression, sleep
problems, anxiety, paranoia,
muscle tension, involuntary
teeth clenching, nausea,
Headache.
Increased heart rate & blood
pressure. Decrease in Sexual Urge
over prolonged usage.
Blurred vision, chills, sweating.
Mental disorder (Believed to
cause permanent brain damage).
STEROIDS/Roids, juice, protein,
muscles builder(Variable effect)
Similar to effects of anti-
depressants and stimulants.
Can increase moodiness
and aggressive behavior
Can develop liver cancer,
cardiovascular problems, sterility,
sexual dysfunction and stunted
growth.
14. Drug Class (Examples) Symptoms Health Effects
Amphetamines/uppers,
speed, black beauties, dexies,
bennies, crystal
meth, crank, crystal, ice,
hearts, crossroads, white
crosses, caffeine, nicotine, diet
pills(1/2 to 2 hours effect)
Decreased appetite, dilated
pupils, sleeplessness,
agitation, unusual increase in
activity, mood swings,
paranoia, anti-social behavior,
loss of appetite, anxiety,
weight loss.
Increases heart rate, breathing
rate, blood pressure. High doses
can cause tremors, loss of
coordination & death
from stroke or heart failure.
Frequent use of large amounts
can produce
brain damage, ulcers,
malnutrition, hallucinations,
convulsions & coma.
PCP (phencyclidine)/angel
dust, killer weed, crystal
cyclone, elephant tranquilizer,
rocket fuel
(Variable effects)
Sweating, dizziness,
numbness, hallucinations,
confusion, agitation.
Violence and aggression or
silence & withdrawn state.
Poor perception of time and
distance. Overdose can
lead to death.
Increased heart rate, and blood
pressure. Large doses cause
convulsions, comas, heart & lung
failure, and ruptured brain
vessels.
Users may show long-term
effects on memory, judgment,
concentration, &perception.
15. Drug use starts small and then
you want more. As you continue
to use it goes deeper and you
get split wider until it finally
breaks you
16. • You feel insecure and
want to belong to a
group
• Your friends use and
pressure you to use.
• You are trying to hide
the pain from the
past.
• You want to rebel
• You want to escape
from your
life/problems.
• You are bored
and/or curious about
trying it out.
17.
18. Drugs will destroy your dreams
• Take your Time
• Take your Money
• Change your relationships
• Change the Chemicals in your brain
• Changes your Body Chemistry
accompanied by reactions to everyday
interactions with fellow humans.
• Brings pain to your Family.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24. Half of the problem is resolved when one
chooses to give up on addiction.
But, support might come from the following
groups when one is willing to stop addiction
Family members
Friends
Doctors or counselors
People who had the same problem but recovered
25. How to Help Yourself
• Get involved in some distracting activity like reading, a
hobby, going to a movie, exercising.
• Talk it through with friends and families when craving occurs.
• Challenge and change your thoughts when craving occurs.
• Take advantage of activities and events that do not involve
alcohol or drugs
• Choose to stay in control
• Address possible underlying problems (such as a variety of
anxiety concerns, depression, self esteem issues, trauma,
family and relationship concerns)
• Get help at the Student counseling office or medical unit.
• Consult NDLEA officer office Ijoko Road, Sango-Ota.