- Humans have used medicines for thousands of years, dating back to wines in ancient Egypt and marijuana in 2737 BC China. Medicines can be stimulants that increase brain activity, like cocaine and nicotine, or depressants that slow brain activity, like alcohol. They also include analgesics for pain relief like opioids. - A 2002 UK survey found that 12% of secondary school students had used illegal drugs in the last month, with use increasing with age to 39% of 15-year-olds. - Using medicines carries many health and other risks that depend on factors like circumstances of use, dosage, purity, and mixing with other substances. Users can never be certain of a drug's effects, and activities

1. WELCOMEWELCOME
.

2. TOPIC
MEDICINES / DRUGS.

3. Introduction
• Humans have used medicines of one sort or
another for thousands of years
-wine was used at least from the time of
the early Egyptians
-narcotics from 4000 BC
-medicinal use of marijuana has been dated
to 2737BC in China

4. Types of Medicines-Stimulants
• Drugs that act on the central nervous
system and increase brain activity.
• Some give feelings of alertness, greater
energy and confidence.
• They may also reduce appetite

5. Examples of Stimulants
• Cocaine
• Nicotine

6. Types of Medicines-
Depressants
• Medicines that act on the central nervous
system and slow down brain activity.
• Impaired co-ordination, balance and
judgement are common.
• Higher doses can lead progressively to
drowsiness, vomiting, coma and even death.

7. Examples of Depressants
• Alcohol

8. Types of Medicines – Analgesics
(Pain killing)
• Drugs that have a painkilling effect.
e.g. -heroin
-opium
-morphine

9. Types of Medicines – Anabolic
Steroids
• Medicines that promote muscle growth and
increase lean body mass.
• These medicines mostly have legitimate
medical uses
• They are often misused by those wishing to
enhance their athletic performance or
strength.

10. Statistics
• The following statistics are from the
results of a major national survey of
secondary schoolchildren aged 11-15
published by the Department of
Health (DH) in 2002.

11. • 12% of pupils had used illegal drugs in
the last month and 20% had used illegal
drugs in the last year
• 13% of boys reported taking drugs in
the last month compared to 11% of girls
• Use increased with age. Six percent of
11-year-olds had used drugs in the last
year compared to 39% of 15-year-olds

12. Risks of Using Medicines
• Risks vary according to:
-circumstances of the use
-the motivation and knowledge level of the
user
-their mood and expectation at the time of
use
-the manner of use
-size of dose
-purity of the sample

13. Risks Factors Involved in
Medicines Taking
• Users can never be sure of exactly what
they are taking
• Not knowing the strength of what has been
bought could lead to an accidental overdose
(which may be life-threatening)
• Users can't be precisely sure of the effect
the drug will have, even if they have taken
it before.

14. • Sharing dirty needles or syringes
carries a risk of serious infections
• Mixing drugs, or drugs with alcohol
• Getting a criminal record.
• Effects on relationships, financial
pressures, reducing judgement or
performance etc.

15. THANK YOU.