Drug Abuse Pre-reading Activity
Discussion Questions
Discuss the following
statements. Do you think
they are true or false?
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•
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There is not a drug
problem in the UAE.
Tobacco is more
addictive than heroin.
Cannabis has no
serious side effects.
People who take
crack are likely to go
on to take harder
drugs.
It is safer to take
drugs by injection
than in other ways.
Athletes take
anabolic steroids to
improve their
performance.
It is easy to tell when
someone is on drugs.
Click here to read about
street drugs.
http://www.streetdrugs.org/
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Drug Abuse
(1) Whether we like it or not, it is a fact that drug abuse is now an issue affecting most
societies. There are problems both of drug trafficking and drug abuse in the UAE, and a study
done by Dr. Hashim Abdullah Salem of the Interior Ministry’s Police College in 1996
showed that about 70 per cent of drug users in the country were UAE nationals. It is therefore
extremely important that you know the facts about drugs and drug abuse.
(2) When you hear the words ‘drug addict’ you probably immediately think of someone
hooked on heroin or cocaine. In fact, drug abuse is not confined to illegal drugs.
(3) Many thousands of people are dependent on substances which can be found in the home,
such as nicotine (one of the most addictive drugs), or alcohol, both of which can have very
harmful effects. Caffeine, found in coffee, tea and many soft drinks, is also a drug, and
certain drugs prescribed by doctors such as barbiturates and tranquillizers may also be
misused. However, this information sheet will focus on the features and dangers of various
substances and drugs which are commonly abused.
Marijuana (other names: cannabis, hash, grass, dope, pot)
(4) Comes from the Indian hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, and is grown mostly in Asia. It
causes feelings of relaxation and well-being, but may cause some people to have anxiety
attacks. The main dangers are like those of tobacco smoking – lung cancer, bronchitis and
breathing problems, but some studies have shown that the risk of developing lung cancer is
between five to ten times greater than with cigarette smoking. Long-term effects may include
depression and apathy, and difficulty in remembering things.
Cocaine (other names: coke, ‘C’, snow)
(5) Is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant, which is found mostly in South America. A
very powerful stimulant, it causes a short-term feeling of well-being. It is very easy to
become addicted to cocaine, as users soon need new doses to prevent the feeling of
depression and tiredness that occur as its effect wears off. Its side effects include trembling,
insomnia, and damage to the inside of the nose, as it is usually sniffed. An overdose may
cause a fatal heart attack or respiratory failure.
Crack
(6) This is a form of cocaine which is mixed with water and chemicals to allow it to act faster
in the body system. Its very quick-acting effects (it takes only ten seconds to reach the brain)
lead to a rush of pleasure which lasts about ten minutes. This is followed by a sharp let-down
feeling, and may lead to depression and aggressive behaviour along with a terrible craving for
more of the drug. It is highly addictive, and the user may go on to other drugs such as heroin.
Regular crack users become violent and irritable, lose their self-control and self-respect, and
may turn to crime to obtain the money they need to finance their addiction.
Ecstasy (other names: ‘E’, M25s)
(7) Ecstasy is a stimulant drug, producing a heightened awareness. The tablets are often
tampered with, and other drugs such as heroin may be added to them. Its effects are felt about
twenty minutes after taking the drug, and may last for several hours. Ecstasy raises the body
temperature, and because it is often taken at parties, when the user is dancing and getting hot,
it can lead to a dangerously high degree of dehydration, along with raised blood pressure and
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kidney malfunction. There have been many cases of young people collapsing and dying
shortly after taking ecstasy. It can also cause liver and brain damage, and depression.
Heroin (other names: ‘H’, brown sugar)
(8) Heroin is a powerful painkiller, and is used medically, for example with cancer patients. It
is produced form morphine, but is twice as strong. It gives a feeling of contentment and wellbeing, slowing down the nervous system. Heroin is highly addictive, both physically and
psychologically. Withdrawal symptoms are severe, and include cramps, sweating, shivering
and chills. It is one of the most dangerous drugs because it is taken usually by injection,
which brings with it the risk of vein damage, gangrene, hepatitis and AIDS. Overdosing is
easy when injecting with heroin, and leads to unconsciousness, coma and death.
LSD (other names: acid, sugar)
(9) This is the most powerful hallucinogenic drug. It directly affects the brain, causing the
user to see, feel and think differently, or go on a ‘trip’, an irreversible, unstoppable
experience which lasts for about eight hours. A ‘trip’ can be very risky; some users have died
because they have done things like jumping out of windows in the misbelief that they could
fly. The effects of LSD can sometimes be felt several weeks after taking a dose.
Solvents
(10) This group includes paint thinners and glue. This dangerous from of drug abuse is
particularly common amongst younger children, because of the ease of availability. The
effects are rather like being drunk, with the user becoming light-headed and giddy. The minor
side effects of taking solvents are feeling sick and confused, and finding it hard to balance
and to speak clearly. However, the methods of taking the solvents carry serious risks: some
users hold plastic bags over their nose or head, which can lead to suffocation; spraying a
solvent directly down the throat causes the airways to freeze, and the user to die. Some users
become unconscious and die from choking on their vomit. Long-term users risk permanent
brain, kidney and liver damage.
Amphetamines (other names: speed, uppers)
(11) These artificial stimulants were once commonly used to lose weight. They keep the user
awake by speeding up the nervous system. When the effects wear off, depression and
paranoia can set in, along with violent behaviour and delusions. The long-term effects include
heart problems and mental disorders.
Anabolic steroids
(12) These drugs are used by athletes to make them perform better in sports by improving
muscle and strength. The serious side effects include liver damage, infertility and stunted
growth in young people.
How can you tell that someone is on drugs?
(13) If you think that someone is on drugs, there are several signs that you can look for. But
remember, many young people go through periods of moodiness, irritability or withdrawn
behaviour, so be careful in assuming that someone who shows these characteristics is taking
drugs.
(14) Below are some warning signs that someone may be abusing drugs:
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feeling tired a lot of the time
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a change in appetite
sudden changes in mood and personality
confusion, slurred speech and strange behaviour
unusually small or large pupils
shivering
soreness around the nose; sniffing
unsteadiness and poor physical co-ordination
playing truant from school
losing interest in friends and hobbies
losing interest in personal appearance
using perfume or aftershave to hide the smell
of drugs
always trying to get money
using things like:
i. lots of matches or lighters
ii. plastic bottles with their base removed
iii. bent pieces of pipe
iv. packets of cigarette papers with pieces torn from them
v. buckets or bowls of water
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Drug Abuse (Ex. 1)
Match the drug with its side effects.
raised blood pressure; kidney malfunction; liver/brain damage
marijuana
heart problems
heroin
brain, kidney, liver damage
solvents
liver damage; infertility; stunted growth
cocaine
lung cancer; bronchitis
amphetamines
fatal heart attack; respiratory failure
anabolic steroids
gangrene, hepatitis, AIDS
ecstasy
Drug Abuse (Ex. 2)
1. There is not a drug problem in the UAE.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
2. Close to 70% of drug users in the UAE are Emiratis.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
3. Tobacco is more addictive than heroin.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
4. Cannabis has no serious side effects.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
5. Most cocaine comes from southern Australia.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
6. Taking crack cocaine may lead people to go on to take harder drugs.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
7. The effects of ecstasy last about twenty minutes.
a) True
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b) False
c) Not Given
8. Morphine is a pain killer produced from heroin.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
9. It is safer to take drugs by injection than in other ways.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
10. LSD is most dangerous when users inject it.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
11. Solvent abusers often die as a result of the way they ingest the drug.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
12. The long term effects of solvent abuse are someone becoming permanently light-headed
and feeling drunk.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
13. Amphetamines cause the nervous system to speed up and this is followed by depression.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
14. Athletes are forbidden to take anabolic steroids to improve their performance.
a) Ture
b) False
c) Not Given
15. It is easy to tell when someone is on drugs.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
16. Moodiness, irratibility and withdrawing from social situations are sure signs that someone
is abusing drugs.
a) True
b) False
c) Not Given
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Drug Abuse (Ex. 3)
additional and are are are as at be be being by by carries died drugs from
harder has hepatitis However is issue members not such these user ways
It is important nowadays that all (1)__________ of society are informed about the
(2)__________ of drug abuse. Although household substances (3)__________ as caffeine,
nicotine and alcohol can (4)__________ dangerously addictive, this leaflet concentrates on
(5)__________ substances which are illegal.
Some drugs (6)__________ considered softer than others as they (7)__________ less
addictive and their side effects (8)__________ usually not as dangerous. Marijuana, ecstasy,
amphetamines and solvents are examples of these. (9)__________, although solvents such as
glue are (10)__________ so dangerous in the short-term, the (11)__________ in which users
take them can (12)__________ very risky, and solvent users have (13)__________ from
suffocation and choking. If ecstasy (14)__________ being taken when the user is
(15)__________ very physically active, such as dancing (16)__________ a party, it can cause
death (17)__________ heat stroke and dehydration. All soft (18)__________ can have
serious long-term effects.
The (19)__________ drugs include cocaine, crack, heroin and LSD, and there are both highly
addictive (20)__________ can have very physically harmful side-effects. Cocaine and heroin
may result in death, (21)__________ it is very easy for the (22)__________ to overdose
when taking them. LSD (23)__________ the risk of the user dying (24)__________ doing
something dangerous because his brain (25)__________ been directly affected. Heroin brings
the (26)__________ risks associated with injecting a drug (27)__________ needle, which
include diseases such as (28)__________, AIDS and gangrene.
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Drug Abuse (Ex. 4)
Enter the prefix for each example.
ir dis il mis mal un im ab over de
Enter the correct prefix in the table.
ir dis il mis mal un im ab over de
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Drug Abuse (Ex. 5)
Across:
Down:
1
not able to reproduce (Paragraph 12)
2
not lawful (Paragraph 2)
4
not balanced properly (Paragraph/Section
14)
3
too much medicine/drugs (Paragraph 5)
6
not able to sleep (Paragraph 5)
4
not awake, aware or feeling (Paragraph
10)
7
false belief (Paragraph 9)
5
does not work properly (Paragraph 7)
8
can not be undone/reversed (Paragraph 9)
7
to utilise in an improper way (Paragraph
3)
9
can not be halted or ended (Paragraph 9)
10
not enough water (Paragraph 7)
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Drug Abuse (Wordsearch)
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----------Ex. 1 Key---------raised blood pressure; kidney malfunction; liver/brain damage
heart problems
brain, kidney, liver damage
liver damage; infertility; stunted growth
lung cancer; bronchitis
fatal heart attack; respiratory failure
gangrene, hepatitis, AIDS
ecstasy
amphetamines
solvents
anabolic steroids
marijuana
cocaine
heroin
----------Ex. 2 Key---------1. (b)
2. (a)
3. (c)
4. (b)
5. (b)
6. (a)
7. (b)
8. (b)
9. (b)
10. (c)
11. (a)
12. (b)
13. (a)
14. (c)
15. (b)
16. (b)
---------- Ex. 3 Key---------It is important nowadays that all members of society are informed about the issue of drug
abuse. Although household substances such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol can be
dangerously addictive, this leaflet concentrates on these substances which are illegal.
Some drugs are considered softer than others as they are less addictive and their side effects
are usually not as dangerous. Marijuana, ecstasy, amphetamines and solvents are examples of
these. However, although solvents such as glue are not so dangerous in the short-term, the
ways in which users take them can be very risky, and solvent users have died from
suffocation and choking. If ecstasy is being taken when the user is being very physically
active, such as dancing at a party, it can cause death from heat stroke and dehydration. All
soft drugs can have serious long-term effects.
The harder drugs include cocaine, crack, heroin and LSD, and there are both highly addictive
and can have very physically harmful side-effects. Cocaine and heroin may result in death, as
it is very easy for the user to overdose when taking them. LSD carries the risk of the user
dying by doing something dangerous because his brain has been directly affected. Heroin
brings the additional risks associated with injecting a drug by needle, which include diseases
such as hepatitis, AIDS and gangrene.
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---------- Ex. 4 Key----------
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---------- Ex. 5 Key----------
-----Wordsearch Key----
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