Meaning Of Drug Abuse Basic 3 Social Studies Lesson Note

WHAT IS DRUG ABUSE?

Drug abuse means using drugs in the wrong way or using drugs that are not meant for medicine.

Simple definition: Drug abuse is when people use medicines or other substances wrongly, which can harm their body.

Other meanings:

• Taking too much medicine than what the doctor said
• Using medicines that are not meant for you
• Taking illegal drugs that are bad for health
• Using household things like glue or petrol to get high
• Using drugs without any medical reason

Key points about drug abuse:

• It is dangerous and harmful
• It can make people very sick
• It can damage the brain and body
• It can lead to death
• It destroys families and communities

1. EXAMPLES OF DRUG ABUSE
2. MEDICINE ABUSE

Wrong use of good medicines:

• Taking more paracetamol than needed
• Using someone else’s prescription medicine
• Taking cough syrup to feel good instead of treating cough
• Swallowing many vitamin pills at once
• Using expired medicines

Example: Kemi has a headache. The doctor said take 1 paracetamol tablet. If Kemi takes 5 tablets, that is drug abuse.

2. ILLEGAL DRUG USE

Using drugs that are against the law:

• Smoking marijuana (igbo)
• Sniffing cocaine
• Injecting heroin
• Using codeine syrup for pleasure
• Taking tramadol without prescription

Example: Some older boys offer Tolu marijuana to smoke. If Tolu smokes it, that is drug abuse.

3. ALCOHOL ABUSE

Wrong use of alcoholic drinks:

• Children drinking beer or wine
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Drinking alcohol every day
• Drinking alcohol to solve problems
• Getting drunk frequently

Example: Uncle Bola drinks 10 bottles of beer every day and cannot stop. This is alcohol abuse.

4. SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Using household items wrongly:

• Sniffing glue to feel dizzy
• Inhaling petrol fumes
• Drinking methylated spirit
• Sniffing nail polish remover
• Using insecticide spray to get high

Example: Some children sniff glue from a bag to feel strange. This is very dangerous substance abuse.

1. WHY PEOPLE ABUSE DRUGS

WRONG REASONS PEOPLE GIVE:

1. PEER PRESSURE

• Friends force them to try drugs
• They want to belong to a group
• They don’t want to look weak
• They want to be accepted

2. CURIOSITY

• They want to know how it feels
• They see others doing it
• They want to try something new
• They think it’s fun

3. PROBLEMS AND STRESS

• They feel sad or worried
• They have family problems
• They are doing poorly in school
• They want to forget their troubles

4. WRONG BELIEFS

• They think drugs make them brave
• They believe drugs help them study better
• They think drugs make them happy
• They believe lies about drugs being good

5. LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

• They don’t know drugs are dangerous
• No one taught them about drug dangers
• They believe false information
• They don’t understand the consequences

1. SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE

PHYSICAL SIGNS:

• Red or watery eyes
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Strange smells on body or clothes
• Shaking hands
• Difficulty walking straight
• Slurred speech
• Always looking tired

BEHAVIORAL SIGNS:

• Stealing money or items
• Lying about activities
• Avoiding family and old friends
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Not caring about appearance
• Aggressive behavior
• Poor performance in school

EMOTIONAL SIGNS:

• Mood changes quickly
• Becoming very angry easily
• Not interested in hobbies
• Feeling sad all the time
• Being afraid or paranoid
• Losing interest in school

1. DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE

HEALTH PROBLEMS:

• Damage to brain and memory
• Heart and lung diseases
• Liver and kidney damage
• Weak immune system
• Mental illness
• Addiction (cannot stop using)
• Death from overdose

SOCIAL PROBLEMS:

• Loss of friends and family
• Poor performance in school
• Dropping out of school
• Getting into trouble with police
• Becoming homeless
• Losing job opportunities

FAMILY PROBLEMS:

• Parents become sad and worried
• Family fights and arguments
• Loss of trust from family
• Bringing shame to family name
• Financial problems for family
• Breaking up of family

COMMUNITY PROBLEMS:

• Increase in crime and violence
• Bad influence on other children
• Making the community unsafe
• Destroying community values
• Economic problems

1. HOW TO PREVENT DRUG ABUSE

FOR CHILDREN:

1. Say NO firmly when offered drugs
2. Choose good friends who don’t use drugs
3. Learn about drug dangers in school
4. Talk to parents about problems
5. Join positive activities like sports and clubs
6. Stay away from bad influences
7. Build self-confidence and good values

FOR FAMILIES:

1. Teach children about drug dangers
2. Create a loving home environment
3. Monitor children’s activities and friends
4. Be good role models
5. Communicate openly with children
6. Seek help if problems arise

FOR SCHOOLS:

1. Teach drug education classes
2. Create drug-free school policies
3. Provide counseling services
4. Organize awareness programs
5. Train teachers to identify drug abuse

FOR COMMUNITIES:

1. Report drug dealers to authorities
2. Create youth programs and activities
3. Support families affected by drug abuse
4. Educate community members
5. Work with law enforcement

CLASS EXERCISES

1. Fill in the blanks:

• Drug abuse means using drugs in the _______ way
• Taking more medicine than the doctor said is _______
• Using illegal drugs like marijuana is _______
• Drug abuse can _______ the brain and body

2. True or False:

• Drug abuse is safe and harmless: _____
• Taking someone else’s medicine is drug abuse: _____
• Drinking alcohol is okay for children: _____
• Sniffing glue is a form of substance abuse: _____
• Drug abuse only affects the person using drugs: _____

3. List 4 examples of drug abuse:
4. Choose the correct answer: What should you do if someone offers you drugs? a) Take them b) Say NO firmly c) Try a little bit

Which is an example of medicine abuse? a) Taking prescribed dose b) Taking too many pills c) Following doctor’s orders

Why do some people abuse drugs? a) It’s good for health b) Peer pressure c) Doctor’s advice

5. Match the problem to its type:

• Taking 10 paracetamol tablets → Medicine abuse
• Smoking marijuana → _______
• Drinking beer as a child → _______
• Sniffing petrol → _______

6. Circle the signs of drug abuse: Red eyes, Good grades, Stealing money, Helping at home, Strange smells, Lying, Doing homework, Mood changes
7. List 3 dangers of drug abuse:
8. Complete these prevention tips:

• Say _______ firmly when offered drugs
• Choose _______ friends who don’t use drugs
• _______ to parents about problems
• Stay away from _______ influences

9. Answer these questions:

• What is drug abuse? _______
• Why is drug abuse dangerous? _______
• How can children prevent drug abuse? _______
• What should you do if you see someone abusing drugs? _______

10. Scenarios – What would you do?

• Your friend offers you cough syrup to drink for fun: _______
• You find someone sniffing glue behind the school: _______
• An older student tries to give you pills: _______
• You see a family member drinking alcohol every day: _______

11. Circle the wrong reasons people give for drug abuse: Peer pressure, Doctor’s prescription, Curiosity, Following medicine instructions, Wanting to belong, Health treatment, Stress relief
12. Write a short message: Write 2 sentences to warn other children about drug abuse: