The document discusses different types of drugs and their effects. It covers stimulants like cocaine and ecstasy, depressants like alcohol and cannabis, opiates like heroin and opioids, and hallucinogens like LSD. It then focuses on the most commonly used drugs by students, including cannabis. Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug worldwide. When consumed, cannabis impairs memory and coordination. Signs of cannabis abuse include bloodshot eyes, forgetfulness and paranoia.

1. INTRODUCTION
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Allow me to sincerely thank all
members of the board, the principal, teachers and the rest staff
members of Sigara Secondary School for extending their inviting to us
in this forum. Our presentation today is on drugs and substance abuse.
Millions of young people around the world have been affected by
drugs and substance abuse and some have tried to capitalize on its
importance but they don’t understand the effects associated with this
menace.
 Some of the common Most psychoactive drugs fall into the categories
of stimulants, depressants, opiates and hallucinogens. All these types
of drugs are addictive, induce dependence and have different effects
on the human brain and body.

2. TYPES OF DRUGS
Most psychoactive drugs fall into the categories of stimulants, depressants, opiates and
hallucinogens. All these types of drugs are addictive, induce dependence and have different effects
on the human brain and body.
Stimulants
Stimulants act on the central nervous system and are associated with feelings of extreme well-
being, increased mental and motor activity. Examples include cocaine, crack cocaine,
amphetamines (speed) and ecstasy (which is also a hallucinogen).
Depressants
Depressants are chemicals that slow down the central nervous system and suppress brain
activity causing relief from anxiety. The most common depressants are alcohol and cannabis.
Others include barbiturates and benzodiazepines (e.g. valium, temazepam).
Opiates & Opioids
Opiate and opioid drugs provide pain relief, euphoria, sedation and in increasing doses induce
coma. Examples include heroin, morphine, opium, methadone, dipipanone and pethidine.
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens cause changes in a person's perception of reality. These include cannabis,
LSD, ecstasy and psilocybin (magic mushrooms).

3. DRUGS COMMONLY USED
There are two to three major types of drugs that are commonly used by
students and they are as follows:
1.Cannabis
What Type of Drug is Cannabis?
Cannabis is the generic term for the psychoactive drug that is also known as marijuana, dope, weed
and many other names. The technical name of the cannabis plant is cannabis sativa.
According to a recent UN report, cannabis was the world’s most widely produced, trafficked, and
consumed drug in 2010. Between 119 million and 224 million adults around the world used the drug
that year.
How Does Cannabis Work?
The main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in cannabis is called delta-9 tetrahydro-cannabinol,
commonly known as THC. This is the part of the plant that gives the "high." There is a wide range of
THC potency between cannabis products, and THC content in illegally supplied cannabis has
increased massively over the last 50 years.

4. EFFECTS & SIGNS OF CANNABIS SATIVA
When cannabis is smoked, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream and then to the
brain and other organs throughout the body. It is absorbed more slowly when ingested in food or drink.
When cannabis is consumed for recreational purposes, the following effects are possible:
(i.) A change in perception. It can have hallucinogenic effects, making users see reality in a distorted
way.
(ii).Alteration in mood. Some people who use cannabis do so to experience a sense of euphoria, while
others
experience a state of relaxation, often referred to as a “high”.
(iii).Impairment of working memory (iv). Impairment of short-term memory (iii)Impairment of
concentration
(iv).Talkativeness (v) .Increased appetite (vi).Loss of co-
ordination
(vii) .Increased appetite and craving for sweets (viii).Difficulty paying
attention
Signs of Cannabis Abuse
(i).Bursts of laughter in the early stages of intoxication (ii) Drowsiness
(iii).Lack of concentration and coordination (iii).Forgetfulness
(iv).Bloodshot eyes (v).Distorted sense of
time
(vi).Possession of paraphernalia, including packs of rolling papers, pipes or “bongs” (vii).Paranoia and
delusional behavior

5. When cannabis is smoked, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream and then to the
brain and other organs throughout the body. It is absorbed more slowly when ingested in food or drink.
When cannabis is consumed for recreational purposes, the following effects are possible:
(i.) A change in perception. It can have hallucinogenic effects, making users see reality in a distorted
way.
(ii).Alteration in mood. Some people who use cannabis do so to experience a sense of euphoria, while
others
experience a state of relaxation, often referred to as a “high”.
(iii).Impairment of working memory (iv). Impairment of short-term memory (iii)Impairment of
concentration
(iv).Talkativeness (v) .Increased appetite (vi).Loss of co-
ordination
(vii) .Increased appetite and craving for sweets (viii).Difficulty paying
attention
Signs of Cannabis Abuse
(i).Bursts of laughter in the early stages of intoxication (ii) Drowsiness
(iii).Lack of concentration and coordination (iii).Forgetfulness
(iv).Bloodshot eyes (v).Distorted sense of
time
(vi).Possession of paraphernalia, including packs of rolling papers, pipes or “bongs” (vii).Paranoia and
delusional behavior