Drugs abuse

1. Duhok Polytechnic University
Shekhan Technical Collage of Health
Nursing Department3rd Stage
Drug Abuse Among Young People
and
Strategies to Control it
Prepared By:
• Elaf Mohsin Mohammed
• Nora Ayoub Jbrail
• Sorat Mohammed Xali
Supervisor :
Dr. Rebar Yahya Abdulla

2. Outlines:
Introduction
Drug abuse among youth
Prevalence
Types of drugs
The progression of drug abuse
Sign and symptoms
 Causes
Examples of drug abuse
Prevention and control
Elements of prevention

3. Introduction:
Drug abuse refers to the habitual misuse of substances, including illegal drugs,
prescription medications, or over-the-counter medications, in a way that leads to
negative consequences on physical health, mental well-being, social relationships,
and overall functioning.

4. Drug abuse among youth
Drug abuse among youth is a significant concern globally.
Adolescence is a vulnerable period when experimentation with substances often
begins due to factors such as peer pressure, curiosity, and a desire for thrill-seeking
experiences.

5. Prevalence:
• 2.08 million or 8.33% of 12- to 17-year-olds nationwide report using drugs in the last
month.
• Among them, 83.88% report using marijuana in the last month.
• 8.7% of 8th graders have used illicit drugs in the last month.
• 11.89 million 18- to 25-year-olds used drugs in the last month.
• 4,777 Americans aged 15 to 24 years old died of an overdose of illicit drugs in one year.
• 11.2% of overdose deaths are aged 15 to 24 years.
Youth Alcohol Abuse
• 1.19 million 12- to 17-year-olds report binge drinking in the last month.
• 11.72 million 18- to 25-year-olds report binge drinking in the last month.
• 7.10 million 12- to 20-year-olds report drinking in the last month.

6. Substance Use Among High School Students In Erbil City, Iraq:
Results: The lifetime prevalence rates of cigarettes smoking, waterpipe smoking
and alcohol consumption were 27.6%, 23.6% and 3.7%, respectively.
Male gender, age 17–19 years, smoker in the family, and easy accessibility of
cigarettes were significantly associated with cigarette smoking.
Factors significantly associated with waterpipe smoking were male gender, age 17–
19 years, waterpipe smoker in the family, waterpipe smoker friend, and easy
accessibility.
Male gender, alcohol dependent in the family, alcohol-dependent friend, easy
accessibility of alcohol, and low family income were significant predictors of
alcohol consumption.
 This study determine the prevalence of substance use and certain associated factors among high
school students in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

7. Types of Drugs :
Stimulants (Uppers) Depressants (Downers) Hallucinogens
What do they do?
Speed up the brain and central nervous
system.
What do they do?
Slow down the brain and central
nervous system.
What do they do?
These drugs alter the user's state of
consciousness. (Distort auditory and
visual sensations)
Examples:
Caffeine (coffee, energy drinks, tea)
Nicotine (cigarettes)
Amphetamines (meth, ecstasy)
Speed
"Bath salts"
Cocaine and Crack Cocaine
Examples:
Alcohol (beer, wine, vodka, tequila,
gin, etc.)
Heroin
Tranquilizers
Sleeping Pills
Marijuana
Examples:
LSD
Ecstasy
Magic mushrooms
Peyote
РСР

8. The Progression of Drug Abuse:
Drugs
Drug Dependence
Mental
Dependence
Physical
Dependence
Drug Abuse

9. Sign & Symptoms
Physical warning:
• Bloodshot eyes.
• Pupils larger or smaller than usual.
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
• Deterioration of physical appearance.
• Unusual smells on breath.
• Impaired coordination.
Behavioral warning:
• Poor work.
• Decline in performance.
• Financial problems.
• Sudden change in friends and associates.
• Lack of motivation and withdrawn.
• Unexplained anxiety.

10. Causes
• Unemployment.
• Financial burdens.
• Socio-civilization culture.
• Peer pressure.
• Addiction.
• Failure in exam.
• Depression
• Others……

11. Examples :
• Alcohol
• Nicotine and tobacco
• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Crack-cocaine
• Ecstasy
• LSD
• Benzodiazepines
• Opioids
• Morphine
• Amphetamine

12. Examples:
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol goes
directly from your digestive system into your blood stream and
within minutes it spreads to the entire body.
Marijuana is a brown mix of dried flowers, stems, seeds and leaves from the hemp plant
Cannabis sativa. The main active chemical is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which moves
quickly through the bloodstream to the brain and other organs throughout the body.
Nicotine (Nicotiana tabacum, most addictive drug , potent para-sympathomimetic
stimulant) Over time, nicotine affects the neurotransmitter in the brain changing the way
certain brain cells work.
Benzodiazepines (Anxiolytic drug & have sedative, hypnotic, anti convulsant properties)
Street name : Benzos, Downers, Goofballs

13. Prevention and Control of Drug Abuse:
Requires knowledge of:
Causes of drug-taking behavior.
Sources of illicit drugs.
Drug laws.
Treatment programs.
Community organization skills.
Persistence and cooperation of various individuals and agencies.

14. Elements of Prevention:
• Education
• Treatment
• Public policy
• Law enforcement
• Education and treatment goals same:
Reduce demand for drugs.
• Public policy and law enforcement goals same:
Reduce supply and availability of drugs.

15. References:
Mahmood N; Othman S; Al-Tawil N; Al-Hadithi T. Substance use among high school students
in Erbil City, Iraq: prevalence and potential contributing factors. East Mediterr Health J.
2019;25(11):806–812. https://doi.org/10.26719/emhj.19.022.
Abudu, V.A.S.C.O., 2008. Young People and Drug Abuse. A Paper Pre.
Gilvarry, E., 2000. Substance abuse in young people. The Journal of Child Psychology and
Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 41(1), pp.55-80.
Hamdieh, M., Motalebi, N., Asheri, H. and Boroujerdi, A., 2009. Prevalence of alcohol and
drug abuse in young people, 15-35 year old, living in Tehran, Iran. Pejouhesh dar
Pezeshki, 32(4).

16. Thank You
for
Your Attention