DRUG & ALCOHOL EDUCATION

A drug is a substance that when taken, changes the way the mind and/or body functions

DRUGS

• Legal (eg. tobacco, alcohol, caffeine)
• Illegal drugs (eg. cannabis, ecstasy etc)
• Volatile substances (eg. Petrol, insolvents etc)
• Cultually sig. substances (eg. Kava)
• Prescription drugs (medical)

DRUG TYPES

• Depressants
• Stimulants
• Hallucinogens

DEPRESSANTS

• Slow down the CNS
• Effects: relaxed, happy
• Can affect memory, co-ordination etc
• Large quantities - dangerous
• Alcohol, cannabis, opiates, inhalants

STIMULANTS

• Speed up the CNS
• Increase heart rate, BP
• Larger quantities dangerous
• Caffeine, cocaine, ecstasy

HALLUCINOGENS

• Affect perception, a 'trip'
• Impossible to predict effects
• Cannabiss & ecstast can also be hallucinogen
• LSD, Mushrooms, ecstasy

SITUATED WITHIN MENTAL HEALTH KEY AREA OF LEARNING

DRUG EDUCATION GUIDELINES

HARM MINIMISATION APPROACH

• Recognises 'just say no' is not effective
• Promotes a range of strategies
• Aims to improve social and health outcomes
• Acknowledges effects on individual and community
• Policy of WHO & NZ Govt

DRUG EDUCATION PROGRAMMES CAN..

• Knowledge & understanding of issues involved in drug use
• Practice skills eg. assertive and refusal skills
• Develop attitudes and values that promote healthy lifestyles
• Enable students to make informed decisions
• Not be at risk of harm through ignorance

DRUG EDUCATION MATRIX

PEER PRESSURE?