DRUGS

By Al, Connah & Tom

What is a drug?
• A drug is any chemical you take
that affects the way your body
works

• Heroin, alcohol, ecstasy, caffeine

and nicotine are all forms of drugs

• A drug must be able to pass

through your body and into your
brain, allowing brain cells to be
changed by interfering with the
brains chemical signals called
neurotransmitters
Hard and soft drugs
• Hard drugs are physically addictive and may be easy to
overdose on

• Soft drugs are not physically addictive

HARD
Heroin Cannabis
Caffeine SOFT
Morphine LSD
Ketamine
Cocain Mescaline
MDMA
Nicotine Psilocybin
Class: A, B & C
• The different kinds of illegal drugs are split into 3
classes: A, B & C. Each class carries a different level of
punishment for possession and dealing

Possession Dealing

Class A Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, Up to 7 years in prison Up to life in prison or

cocaine, crack, magic or an unlimited fine or an unlimited fine or
mushrooms both. both

Class B Amphetamines, Up to 5 years in prison Up to 14 years in

Methylphenidate (Ritalin), or an unlimited fine or prison or an unlimited
Pholcodine. both. fine or both.

Class C Cannabis, tranquilisers, Up to 2 years in prison Up to 14 years in

some painkillers, Gamma or an unlimited fine or prison or an unlimited
hydroxybutyrate (GHB), both. fine or both.
Ketamine.
Effects of illegal drugs
• Drugs make you less aware and alert
making you feel carefree and can
relieve pain

• They can make you; sleep, have

convulsions (fits) and even slip into a
coma

• For example heroin causes

psychological and physical
dependence which can lead onto
comas and even worse death, as you
can choke on your own vomit

Pictures of Harry injecting into his infected

arm - from the movie Requiem for a Dream
Drug users
• If someone is using drugs, you might notice changes in how the
person looks or acts. Here are some of the signs…

• lose interest in their hobbies

• change friends
• become moody, negative, cranky, or worried all the time
• ask to be left alone a lot
• have trouble concentrating
• get in fights
• lose or gain weight

• But it is important that depression or something else could be

causing these changes
Bibliography
• Wikipedia.com
• Homeoffice.co.uk