Don’t wreck your self with drugs BE SMART DON’T START Don’t let drug dealers change the face of our Neighbourhood While the media has been focused on Australia’s meth addiction, prescription drug addiction continues to fly under the radar, taking almost as many lives. Signs and symptoms of prescription drug abuse • • • • • • • • • • • Stealing, forging or selling prescriptions. Taking higher doses than prescribed. Excessive mood swings Increase or decrease in sleep Poor decision-making Appearing to be high Unusually energetic Sedated, Sleepy Losing prescriptions • Seeking prescriptions • from more than one doctor. • • Anti-anxiety meds sedatives Stimulants Opioids Marijuana - Weed Marijuana is one of the most abused drugs in the world. There are over 400 chemicals in marijuana The chemical that causes intoxication or the “high” in users is called THC It creates the mind-altering effects that classifies marijuana as a “drug.” SYMPTOMS SIGNS AND EFFECTS - Red eyes - Dry mouth - Laughs for no reason - Slow reaction to time - Increased appetite - Forgetful - Dopiness If you’re a long-time user, you can have physical withdrawal symptoms -like cravings, irritability, sleeplessness, and less appetite -- when you stop. Also with regular use you become immune to the effects making you need more and more to gain your high. TOBACCO AND SMOKING Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Australia. There is a tobacco-related death about every 28 minutes in Australia, adding up to more than 50 deaths each day. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds and 400 other toxins. These cigarette ingredients include nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. Nicotine is highly addictive. Hallucinogens also known as 'psychedelic drugs can make a person see, hear, smell, feel or taste things that aren't really there or are different from how they are in reality. Some plants such as magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations. Hallucinogens such as LSD and MDMA are made in back yard labs. EFFECTS Hallucinogens affect everyone differently. The effects of hallucinogens can last for 4 to 12 hours and can be different depending on which type of hallucinogen is used. BAD TRIP Sometimes a 'bad trip' may be experienced, involving a disturbing hallucination. This can lead to panic and risky behavior, like running across a road or attempting suicide. If a large amount or a strong batch is taken the negative effects of hallucinogens are more likely. METHAMPHETAMINES - ICE What is ice? • • • • • • • • • • • Ice causes chaos on the • streets and in our hospitals. • It destroys families and • neighborhoods. Ice also known as crystal meth has been called the most dangerous drug of our time. It is a very powerful, highly addictive stimulant. It comes as a powder or crystals that are usually snorted, injected or smoked. Effects of meth False sense of wellbeing Loss off appetite Increased heart rate Dilation of pupils Disturbed sleep patterns Nausea Bizarre, erratic behavior Aggression Hallucinations Hyper, excitability Irritability Psychosis Convulsions Seizures and death Alcohol abuse can seek up on you. Its not always easy to recognize when moderate drinking turns into social drinking and then into drinking problem. SO HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM? Here are 6 signs of alcohol abuse 1. Feeling guilty or ashamed about your drinking problem 2. Lie to others and hide your drinking habits 3. Have friends or family that are worried about your drinking 4. Need to drink in order to relax or feel better 5. Black out or forget what you did while you were drinking. 6. Regularly drink more than you intended to. If you answered yes to any of the above, its ok, there is plenty of community support available for anyone that would like more information or help with Alcohol related issues. Think before you drink Meth mouth characterized by broken, discolored and rotting teeth and this is an understatement. Long-term drinking causes something called rosacea, a skin disorder that starts with a tendency to blush and flush easily and can eventually lead to permanent facial disfigurement. Alcohol can also cause your face to look bloated and puffy and can cause the nose to become bulbous. At first you think you can control heroin. But before long you’ll start looking sick, losing weight and feeling like death. Then one day you’ll wake up knowing that, instead of you controlling heroin, it now controls you. ATODS 50 GEORGE STREET BOWEN QLD CONTACT TARA VITI 07 If you or a loved one suffers with addiction or substance abuse, Your not alone, there is plenty of help and support available. If you are struggling with addiction. ATODS at Girudala offers friendly confidential support , advice , awareness and education. To people who need it in our greater community. Information & Awareness Booklet
© Copyright 2026 Paperzz