Effects of Substance Abuse Basic 6 Social Studies Lesson Note

LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Discuss health and socio-economic effects of drugs (Cocaine & Heroine)
2. Discuss health and socio-economic effects of sedative drugs (Mandrax and Valium)

INTRODUCTION TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Substance Abuse: Harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs, that leads to health and social problems.

Common Substances Abused:

• Heroine
• Cocaine
• Sedatives (Mandrax, Valium)
• Marijuana
• Alcohol
• Prescription drugs

EFFECTS OF HEROINE

What is Heroine?

• Highly addictive illegal drug
• Made from morphine (from opium poppy)
• Usually injected, snorted, or smoked
• Also called: Smack, junk, horse

HEALTH EFFECTS:

Short-term Effects:

1. Euphoria (intense pleasure): Brief “rush” feeling
2. Drowsiness: Extreme sleepiness
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Itching
5. Constricted pupils: Very small pupils
6. Slowed breathing: Dangerous
7. Mental confusion
8. Constipation

Long-term Health Effects:

1. Addiction: Cannot stop using
2. Collapsed veins: From injecting
3. Infections: HIV, Hepatitis B & C (sharing needles)
4. Heart infections: Damaged heart valves
5. Liver and kidney disease
6. Lung complications: Pneumonia, tuberculosis
7. Mental disorders: Depression, antisocial behavior
8. Sexual dysfunction: Impotence
9. Irregular menstruation: Women
10. Death from overdose: Very common

Physical Appearance:

• Extreme weight loss
• Pale skin
• Dark circles under eyes
• Track marks on arms (injection sites)
• Poor hygiene
• Looks older than age

Withdrawal Symptoms (when stopping):

• Severe muscle and bone pain
• Chills and sweating
• Cramps
• Panic and anxiety
• Insomnia (cannot sleep)
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Restlessness
• Strong cravings

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS:

Family Impact:

1. Family breakdown: Neglects spouse and children
2. Domestic violence: Aggression when needs money
3. Children suffer: Neglect, abuse, trauma
4. Lost trust: Family relationships destroyed
5. Shame: Family stigmatized in community

Economic Impact:

1. Unemployment: Cannot work
2. Financial ruin: Spends all money on drugs
3. Debt: Borrows for drugs
4. Theft: Steals to buy heroine
5. Lost productivity: Cannot contribute to economy
6. Homelessness: Cannot afford housing

Social Impact:

1. Crime: Drug dealing, theft, violence
2. Prostitution: To get money for drugs
3. Lost friendships: Isolation
4. Community insecurity: Drug-related crime
5. Loss of reputation: Social stigma

Educational/Career:

1. School dropout: Cannot concentrate
2. Expelled: Drug use in school
3. Career destroyed: Fired from jobs
4. No future prospects: Ruined potential

EFFECTS OF COCAINE

What is Cocaine?

• Powerful stimulant drug
• Made from coca plant
• White powder (snorted, injected, smoked)
• Crack cocaine: Crystal form (smoked)
• Also called: Coke, blow, snow, crack

HEALTH EFFECTS:

Short-term Effects:

1. Excessive joy/euphoria: Intense high
2. Increased energy: Hyperactivity
3. Mental alertness: Feel very awake
4. Increased heart rate and blood pressure
5. Dilated pupils: Very large pupils
6. Increased body temperature
7. Reduced appetite: Don’t feel hungry
8. Paranoia: Extreme suspicion
9. Restlessness and anxiety
10. Unpredictable behavior: Violence

Long-term Health Effects:

1. Heart attack and stroke: Major risk
2. Brain damage: Seizures, cognitive problems
3. Respiratory failure: If smoked
4. Nasal damage: If snorted (hole in nose septum)
5. Weight loss: Severe malnutrition
6. Mental illness: Paranoia, psychosis
7. Seizures and convulsions
8. Kidney damage
9. Sexual dysfunction
10. Sudden death: Even first-time users

Physical Signs:

• Tiny pupils
• Rapid weight loss
• Restlessness
• Nosebleeds (snorting)
• Burn marks on lips/fingers (crack smoking)
• Pain and shivering
• Twitching

Withdrawal Symptoms:

• Depression (severe)
• Fatigue and exhaustion
• Increased appetite
• Nightmares
• Slow movement
• Strong cravings
• Suicidal thoughts

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS:

Family:

1. Neglect of children: No parenting
2. Domestic violence: Aggression, paranoia
3. Abandonment: Leave family
4. Divorce: Marriage breakdown
5. Children traumatized

Economic:

1. Extreme poverty: All money for drugs
2. Job loss: Cannot function at work
3. Criminal activity: Theft, dealing
4. Huge medical expenses: Health complications
5. Lost income: Family suffers

Social:

1. Violence and crime: Aggressive behavior
2. Dangerous driving: Accidents
3. Community fear: Drug-related violence
4. Spread of diseases: HIV, Hepatitis
5. Premature death: Young people dying

SEDATIVE DRUGS

What are Sedatives? Drugs that calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, help sleep. When misused, they are very dangerous.

MANDRAX (METHAQUALONE)

What is Mandrax?

• Sedative-hypnotic drug
• Originally used for sleep disorders
• Now illegal in most countries
• Highly addictive
• Often crushed and smoked with marijuana
• Also called: Buttons, MX, white pipe

HEALTH EFFECTS:

Short-term Effects:

1. Drowsiness: Extreme sleepiness
2. Incoordination: Cannot walk straight
3. Slurred speech: Like being drunk
4. Confusion: Cannot think clearly
5. Reduced pain sensation
6. Numbness in limbs
7. Dizziness
8. Nausea and vomiting

Long-term Health Effects:

1. Severe addiction
2. Brain damage: Memory loss, cognitive decline
3. Liver and kidney damage
4. Respiratory problems: Lung damage if smoked
5. Muscle weakness: General body weakness
6. Mental health issues: Depression, anxiety
7. Convulsions and seizures
8. Coma and death: Overdose

Physical Appearance:

• Drunken behavior (without alcohol smell)
• Unsteady walk
• Slurred speech
• Tremors (shaking)
• Looks confused
• Poor coordination

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS:

Education:

1. Poor school performance: Cannot concentrate
2. Truancy: Missing school regularly
3. Dropout: Leave school
4. Failed exams: Academic failure

Family:

1. Family conflicts: Behavior problems
2. Neglect of responsibilities
3. Financial burden: Treatment costs
4. Shame and stigma

Economic:

1. Unemployment: Cannot work
2. Poverty: Waste money on drugs
3. Dependency: Burden on family

Social:

1. Isolation: Withdraw from society
2. Crime: To get drugs
3. Accidents: Driving under influence
4. Health system burden

VALIUM (DIAZEPAM)

What is Valium?

• Prescription sedative/tranquilizer
• Benzodiazepine family
• Used for anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms
• When abused: Highly addictive
• Also called: Benzos, tranks, downers

HEALTH EFFECTS:

Short-term Effects:

1. Drowsiness: Extreme tiredness
2. Confusion: Cannot think clearly
3. Impaired coordination: Clumsy
4. Slurred speech
5. Weakness: No energy
6. Dizziness
7. Memory problems: Forgetfulness
8. Depression

Long-term Health Effects:

1. Severe addiction: Very difficult to stop
2. Tolerance: Need more to feel effect
3. Depression: Worsens mental health
4. Cognitive impairment: Brain function decline
5. Memory loss: Long-term problems
6. Liver damage
7. Respiratory depression: Breathing problems
8. General weakness: Body deterioration
9. Withdrawal seizures: Dangerous to stop suddenly

When Mixed with Alcohol:

• Extremely dangerous
• Respiratory failure
• Coma
• Death

Physical Signs:

• Drunken appearance
• Anxiety when cannot get drug
• Tremors and shaking
• Sweating
• Poor coordination
• Appears sedated

SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS:

Education:

1. Poor performance: Cannot focus
2. Frequent absences: Too drowsy
3. Learning difficulties: Memory problems
4. Academic failure

Family:

1. Relationship problems: Mood swings
2. Neglect of family duties
3. Financial strain: Buying pills
4. Emotional distress: Family worried

Work/Economic:

1. Poor job performance: Errors, accidents
2. Absenteeism: Miss work
3. Job loss: Fired for behavior
4. Economic burden: Medical expenses

Social:

1. Isolation: Withdraw from friends
2. Depression: Mental health decline
3. Accidents: Driving impaired
4. Crime: Illegal acquisition

COMPARISON OF EFFECTS

GENERAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

On Individual:

• Health deterioration
• Lost potential
• Premature death
• Poverty
• Legal problems

On Family:

• Breakdown of family
• Children suffer
• Economic hardship
• Emotional trauma
• Social stigma

On Community:

• Increased crime
• Insecurity
• Healthcare burden
• Loss of youth
• Economic drain

On Nation:

• Lost productivity
• Healthcare costs
• Security expenses
• International image damaged
• Development hindered

WARNING SIGNS TO WATCH:

Physical:

• Sudden weight changes
• Red/glassy eyes
• Pupils very small or large
• Poor hygiene
• Track marks
• Tremors
• Excessive sweating

Behavioral:

• Mood swings
• Aggression or lethargy
• Secretiveness
• Stealing
• New friends
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Lying frequently

Performance:

• Declining grades
• Missing school/work
• Loss of interest in activities
• Poor concentration

PREVENTION MESSAGES:

1. Never experiment: Don’t try even once
2. All drugs are dangerous: No “safe” drug
3. Addiction is real: Can happen to anyone
4. Help is available: Speak to trusted adults
5. Choose life: Drugs lead to death

EVALUATION

1. List five health effects of heroine
2. What are three socio-economic effects of cocaine?
3. Describe how Mandrax affects school performance
4. What are the dangers of Valium abuse?
5. Why is drug abuse a socio-economic problem?

HOMEWORK

1. Discuss health effects of heroine and cocaine
2. Explain socio-economic effects of drug abuse on families
3. Describe effects of sedative drugs (Mandrax and Valium)
4. How does substance abuse affect education and work?
5. Design a poster warning against drug abuse showing health and social effects