Medicines and Illegal Drugs

Drugs

Any substance that causes a change in a person’s physical or psychological state.

Medicine

A drug that is used to prevent disease, fight pathogens, relieve pain and promote health.

Anaigesic

A drug that relieves pain.

Side Effect

Any effect of a drug that is different from the intended effect.

Tolerance

A state that develops when the body becomes used to the effects of a medicine; requires larger doses of the medicine to produce the same effect.

Withdrawal

The physical symptoms that occurs when a person stops using a medicine upon which they have become chemically dependent.

Prescription medicine

Medicine that is FDA approved; can be purchased at the pharmacy if you have a prescription from a doctor.

over-the-counter medicine

Medicine that is FDA regulated; can be purchased at many different kinds of stores; no doctor’s prescription needed.

What does it mean when you develop a tolerance for a medication?

The effectiveness of the medicine decreases over time.

Describe four types of packaging that prevent tampering with medicine.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Antitampering packaging is designed to clearly indicate that a medication has been previously opened. Some of the packaging includes foil wrappers, plastic seals, sealed packages, and individually wrapped medication.

What are the major responsibilities of the FDA related to medicine?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: In general, the FDA is responsible for the regulation of all aspects of medicine in the United States. This includes medicine approval, manufacturing regulation, packaging regulation, control of distribution, and regulation of the place of sale.

What information is required to be displayed on the labels of OTC medication?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: The labels of OTC medicines include important information about when to take the drug, possible side effects, dosage, and intended uses.

Explain the concept of withdrawal as it relates to medication.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Withdrawal is a set of symptoms that occur when a person stops taking a medication that they are used to taking. Symptoms can include headache, nausea, insomnia, and nervousness.

Generic OTC medicines have the same active ingredients as the brand-name OTC medications.

T

Which of these is a significant risk with prolonged use of OTC medications?

OTC medications can mask more serious health problems.

Explain why it is a bad idea to take a friend’s prescription medication.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Taking someone else’s medications is against the law. In addition, prescription medicines were given to your friend by a doctor who clearly understood the health issues at hand. Those same medicines can cause harm to other individuals.

Compare and contrast vaccines and antitoxins.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Vaccines contain weakened or dead pathogens of the disease they are trying to prevent. These pathogens build up the body’s resistance to the regular disease. Antitoxins are composed of body fluid extracts that bolster the body’s ability to fight a specific disease. In general, antitoxins work more quickly than vaccines.

Which of the following is the legal method for obtaining prescription medicines?

from a pharmacy

Switching drugs to OTC status generally increases costs for insured patients.

F

Which of these statements BEST describes the synergistic interaction effect?

an interaction between two or more medicines that increases their effectiveness

Which of the following is NOT a major type of medicine?

anticellulars

If you have the same symptoms as a friend, it’s acceptable to take their prescription medicine.

F

Antibiotics kill harmful bacteria or prevent bacteria from reproducing.

T

A monograph is __________.

a kind of recipe book the FDA uses to regulate OTC drugs

The FDA regulates facilities that manufacture OTC medications.

T

All drugs can be considered medicines.

F

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are those that can be purchased without a doctor’s authorization.

T

Which of these FDA regulations required that manufacturers disclose possible dangers and side effects of their medicines?

Kefauver-Harris Amendment

Illegal Drug

Street drug; grown, manufactured, processed, or distributed without FDA regulation or approval; no one of any age may lawfully manufacture, possess, buy or sell these.

psychoactive drug

Chemicals that affect the nervous system and alter brain activity.

drug abuse

Substance abuse; substance dependence; the nonmedical or improper use of a drug which can interfere with a healthy life.

stimulant

A drug that increases the action of the central nervous system, the heart, and other organs.

narcotic

An additive drug that induces sleep, reduces pain, and alters mood and behavior.

hallucinogen

A psychoactive drug that produces hallucinations.

designer drug

Synthetic substances meant to imitate the effects of hallucinogens and other dangerous drugs.

marijuana

Plant whose leaves, buds, and flowers are usually smoked for their intoxicating effect.

inhalant

Substances whose fumes are inhaled to induce psychoactive effects.

anabolic steroid

A group of synthetic steroid hormones used to stimulate muscle and bone growth.

Why might a medical professional prescribe narcotics to a patient?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Narcotics include some of the most powerful pain relievers known. For patients suffering from extreme pain, either acute or chronic, narcotics may be the only drugs able to alleviate the pain.

Why are marijuana users stereotypically portrayed as sluggish people with the munchies?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Marijuana has many side effects, such as feelings of general relaxation, distorted time-sense, short-term memory loss, and increased appetite. Together these manifest themselves as a general disregard for time schedules and the inability to remember to perform tasks or chores. The increased appetite also results in marijuana users feeling the munchies.

Which of the following statements BEST describes alcohol?

It is only legal for people age 21 and older.

Which of the following is a classification of illegal drugs?

hallucinogens

A person addicted to crystal meth is using a __________.

stimulant

Why does low self-esteem intensify the impact of the various influences on teen decision making?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Teens with high levels of self-esteem are confident and self-assured, so when they face a tough decision such as whether to use illegal drugs, this self-assurance allows them to make decisions independently. Teens with low self-esteem are not confident and often doubt themselves and their decision making. When teens with low self-esteem need to make tough decisions, they will look to outside influence to guide, suggest, or validate their decisions.

Explain why drug abuse is more common with teens whose family members abuse drugs.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Family is one of the strongest influences on teens and their decision making. Parents, siblings, and other family members are guiding influences throughout a teen’s life and often occupy a position of authority or power in the teen’s life. As a result, teens can be strongly influenced by the poor decisions of these authority figures in their lives.

Prescription drugs become illegal when __________.

you buy them without a prescription

Explain what distinguishes medicines from drugs and why medicines are drugs, but not all drugs are medicines.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Medicines are drugs used to treat, cure, and prevent disease. This means that all medicines must be drugs. However, since not all drugs are used to treat disease, not all drugs can be considered medicines.

Why are many teens curious about trying illegal drugs?

Drug use is glamorized in popular media.

Drugs are substances that cause a change in a person’s physical but not mental state.

F

Why do some teens give in to peer pressure and abuse drugs?

friends who use drugs

Why do anabolic steroids differ from other illegal drugs?

They do not cause intoxication.

The use of all drugs becomes legal after a certain age.

F

The nonmedical use of a drug would be an example of drug abuse.

T

Psilocybin is a type of __________.

hallucinogen

Which of the following statements BEST describes tobacco?

It is only legal for people age 18 and older.

Which of the following statements about prescription drugs is FALSE?

They can be resold freely.

Why might overweight people choose to abuse a stimulant?

to lose weight

Hallucinogens distort an individual’s perceptions of reality.

T

Drug use

The consumption of legal or illegal drugs.

Dependence

When a drug becomes essential to the body and/or mind to function.

Overdose

Strong physical reaction brought on by the intentional or unintentional consumption of a larger than usual amount of a drug.

Drug use during pregnancy does not affect the unborn baby.

F

Briefly explain how drug use, production, and sales pose a threat to public safety.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Drug use, production, and sales pose a threat to public safety because they increase criminal activity as the desire to fulfill the addiction and make money through drug sales expands. Drug use also increases the spread of disease as individuals battling addictions often make poor judgments concerning sexual behavior, sharing needles, etc. Finally, drug distribution also increases the risk of pollution as chemicals needed to make drugs are dangerously mixed or used, creating an environmental hazard.

Which of the following often results from the use of drugs?

impaired brain function, unsafe driving, criminal behavior

List three examples of poor decision making that result from drug use.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Students may provide any example involving unsafe environmental situations, unprotected intercourse, unsafe driving, negative relationship experiences, school or work performance problems, or criminal behavior.

All of the following are symptoms of addiction EXCEPT:

using the drug several times a year

Explain why it is important to remain drug-free during the teenage years.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Teens should not take drugs because they face lifetime risks. These risks include being more susceptible to the drug’s effects. A teen’s brain is still developing, and teens have a greater risk for addiction. Taking drugs can cause irreversible effects on the brain and could lead to lifelong struggles, including ways to cope with problems or issues in a healthy manner.

Provide an example of what a typical day may be like for a child who lives with a drug-addicted parent.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Answers may include any example involving the child experiencing neglect, physical or emotional abuse, exposure to harmful substances, having emotional issues, or fearful reactions to parental behavior.

Briefly explain why drug abusers are a high suicide risk.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Drug users are at risk for suicide because most drugs are a depressant and amplify negative emotions. The depressing effects of these drugs often lead to poor judgment and depression. Once an addiction is formed, loss of control over the amount of drug consumed can lead to further despair. When attempting to withdraw from the drug, the side effects can also be too overwhelming for the drug user to tolerate.

Impaired brain function as a result of drug use involves all of the following EXCEPT:

increased concentration

Drugs of abuse trigger the release of dopamine within our brain, which allows the user to experience a temporary feeling of pleasure.

T

Having a drug-addicted spouse often involves which of the following?

financial difficulties

Which of the following statements is NOT true about drug dependence?

People that are dependent on drugs can stop using the drug without experiencing any side effects.

Which of the following statements is TRUE about dopamine?

The release of dopamine as a result of drug use tricks the brain into believing the drug is good for the body.

Teens are more susceptible to the effects of drugs than adults.

T

Illegal drug use often leads to more illegal behavior.

T

Which of the following are behaviors that often result from drug use?

engaging in criminal activiy

Drug use is the consumption of legal and illegal drugs.

T

Drug abuse is defined as __________.

the nonmedical or improper use of a drug, which can interfere with a healthy life

Prolonged use of psychoactive drugs can cause brain damage.

T

Choose the correct cycle of addiction.

drug use, tolerance, dependence, addiction, withdrawal

Drug-free school zone

Areas within 1,000 feet of a school. Individuals found selling drugs within these zones will be severely punished.

Zero tolerance

School policy which punishes students with expulsion or long-term suspension for having any sort of (unsanctioned) drug on their persons.

Detox

Detoxification; medically supervised process of assisting the body to rid itself of drugs or alcohol.

Describe the steps involved in treating a drug or substance addiction.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: The first step involved in treatment is the clinical assessment. Through this process, information concerning the patient’s family medical and emotional history is assessed. Information concerning the addict’s thoughts and behavior or any issues surrounding the drug abused is also addressed, such as questions about the length of abuse, etc. The type of treatment plan is then determined as goals are discussed as well as strategies to reach those goals. Strategies for treatment often involve determining whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is needed, whether medical or social detox is necessary, etc.

Why is it beneficial to form partnerships between schools, the government, and law enforcement agencies when addressing illegal drug use prevention?

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: By approaching illegal drug use from a variety of perspectives, communities hope to improve their drug use prevention programs. Each group has its own resources and consequent advantages. By combining their resources, communities and their partners are approaching the problem from all possible angles. This should yield a higher success rate in the reduction and prevention of drug use.

Drugs are often taken to __________.

alter an individual’s mood

Though it may feel awkward, when is walking away the BEST solution to resisting drug use?

when you find yourself weakening from the pressure

When would walking away be an effective strategy to use when wanting to resist drugs.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Walking away is an effective strategy if someone is continuing to pressure you to use drugs after you have declined. Walking away also may be the only option if you are feeling as if you may give in to the pressure to use. Removing yourself entirely from a tempting situation will most likely help in taking your mind off the pressure, as well.

All of the following are included in drug treatment programs EXCEPT:

religion classes

Which of the following is a possible consequence of drug use?

getting arrested

Detoxification is the process of __________.

weaning a body from an addictive drug

Compare and contrast inpatient drug treatment facilities and residential treatment facilities.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Both are full-time facilities, which means that the patient resides onsite until the treatment is complete. Inpatient treatment facilities are located in hospitals or clinics. This is significant, since inpatient treatment is typically reserved for individuals who are dealing with mental or medical conditions in addition to their substance abuse problem. Their firm structure also makes them beneficial to adolescents with substance abuse problems. Residential treatment facilities are not associated with hospitals. In addition to treating drug addiction, many of them offer educational programs focusing on career or parenting skills to help their patients navigate through life after they finish treatment.

Explain why one of the most effective strategies for resisting drug use is to simply avoid situations where drugs and drug users will be present.

Responses will vary. A sample response follows: Though many teens firmly believe that drugs are wrong, they find themselves tempted to try them anyway. The temptation becomes strong when they find themselves in situations where drugs are being used. Perhaps, they feel left out. It may also appear that everyone else is having a lot more fun than they are. Therefore, it is best to avoid all scenarios where drugs may be present. This way, these conflicting feelings will not arise, and the temptation to compromise their values will not become an issue.

Life skills and relapse prevention training are both included in treatment programs.

T

For an individual with a serious drug addiction AND a stable home environment, __________ would be the BEST treatment option.

partial hospitalization/day treatment

The Boys and Girls Club is a __________.

drug education and prevention program established within most communities

Most people who become addicted to drugs are able to stop on their own and do not need outside help.

F

Stating the consequences of drug use is a resistance strategy that can involve __________.

explaining why the drug is harmful for you, explaining possible negative side effects of the drug, explaining how your life might negatively change if you began taking the drug

The first step of drug addiction treatment is to __________.

gather patient information

Residential treatment facilities often offer GED preparation and career training.

T

Drug use prevention often involves partnerships between schools, communities, and law enforcement because __________.

preventing illegal drug use requires a mixture of strategies, including education, public outreach, and legal consequences

One of the most effective strategies for resisting drugs is simply to __________.

avoid situations where drugs are present

Which of the following strategies is helpful in avoiding drug use?

avoiding situations where drugs will be present

If a doctor prescribes Tylenol III with codeine, he or she has prescribed a __________.

Narcotic

Drugs modify the brain chemistry and change behaviors.

T

Side effects of medicines are always the same for everyone.

F

Thrill-seeking behavior is likely to lead many students to avoid drug abuse.

F

The Controlled Substances Act __________.

classifies restricted drugs into specific categories, was established in 1970, regulates the prescription and dispersion of drugs