Drugs And Drugs Abuse SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note

A drug is a substance or a mixture used for the prevention or cure of an ailment.

Drug abuse is defined as the non-medical use of drugs that can alter mood or perception and have the ability to make the user want to continue to use the drugs despite health, social and physical impairment.

Common drugs that can be abused are: Tobacco, Marijuana, Alcohol, Cocaine, Indian hemp, etc

A drug is said to be abused when it is taken without a doctor’s or medical prescription. Below are some of the ways drugs can be abused:

1. Continuous intake of drugs without prescription.
2. Taking drugs more than the prescribed dosage.
3. Using drugs in ways that are medically and culturally unacceptable.
4. Continuous use of drugs despite their adverse effects on the user.
5. Using drugs to the extent that it leads to a change of mood and perception of the user.
6. Taking drugs beyond the recommended periods.
7. Giving of self-medication.
8. Taking of prohibited substances referred to as hard drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, etc
9. Heavy consumption of tobacco such as cigarettes and snuff.
10. Heavy consumption of substances such as coffee and kola nuts is mostly used to stay awake.

CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE

1. Easy access to drugs.
2. Keeping bad company.
3. Family background.
4. Poverty.
5. Need to keep awake.
6. Peer pressure.
7. Enhanced performance.
8. Ignorance.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE

1. Constant anxiety, depression and frustration 
2. Mood swings
3. Bloodshot eyes
4. Weight loss
5. Forgetfulness
6. Disorderly behavior
7. Nervousness
8. Slow, disjointed speech
9. Shabby appearance
10. Victims are also prone to thoughts of suicide
11. Prone to committing a crime and being violence