Drugs and Alcohol

Drugs and Alcohol

1. Drugs: A substance which can affect the nervous system.

   • Prescribed drugs are drugs which are legally obtained, issued by a doctor/GP. These drugs are designed to heal. e.g. paracetamol.
   • Recreational drugs are drug which are either legal or illegal, used in social situations used to help relax . e.g. alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, heroine, cannabis.
   • Illegal drugs: drugs which are illegally obtained.
     • Reasons to take illegal drugs: Escapism, Boredom, Peer pressure, Addiction, Rebellion, Gateway drug, Buzz.
   • Drug abuse: using drugs in a way that can harm the user, leading to death.
   • Solvent: a drug that can be inhaled.
   • Addict: who feels they need to take a substance daily (cannot live without it)
   • Alcoholic: intake of alcohol over the daily allowance, at any time.
     • Alcoholic anon. international aid group designed to help alcoholics recover.

2. Religious Beliefs

   • Christianity
     • Drugs issued by GP etc. are accepted
     • Drugs can be seen as Gods gift, support on going research into drugs to treat diseases etc..
     • Smoking is not encouraged, many Christians are tee-total.
     • St Paul compared bodies to a temple, should be well cared for.
     • "Do not get drunk with wine which will only ruin you."-St Paul
     • Want to help those who suffer from drug abuse, every life is valuable
       • Jackie Pullinger (a Christian) spent more than 30 years helping heroin addicts of Hong Kong.
       • Parable of the Good Samaritan- have a duty to help others.
     • Those who centre their life on drugs are not honouring God.
     • Rastafarians use cannabis to help meditate as they believe its part of the natural world and Gods creation.
   • Buddhism
     • Intoxicants can affect your body and mind.
     • Need to have a clear mind and be alert so they can meditate.
     • Drinking prevents RIGHT MINDFULNESS (eightfold path). Many abstain from drinking as of the fifth precept.
     • Drug abuse can prevent enlightenment.
       • Enlightenment: To see the world for what it is, can be released from the cycle of rebirth.
     • Smoking conflicts with eightfold path, negative consequence at rebirth.
   • None of the 6 major religions allow illegal drugs.

3. drug clasification

   • class A drugs,
     • HEROIN
     • ECSTACY
     • LSD
     • COCAIN
   • CLASS B DRUGS
     • CANNABIS
     • (SPEED) AMPHETAMINES
   • CLASS C DRUGS
     • ANABOLIC STEROIDS
     • TRANQUILLISERS
   • Misuse of drugs act 1971.
     • Three l categories by which illegal drugs are classified in British law according to the level of harm they do and how addictive they are.

4. Key words

   • Teetotal: people who refrain from taking alcohol based on religious/social principles or past experiences.
   • Rehabilitation: process by which addicts are helped to defeat their addiction.