Drugs and Medicines

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of medicines?

To help people suffering from pain or disease.

What is the difference between legal and illegal recreational drugs?

Legal recreational drugs are those like tobacco and alcohol, whereas illegal recreational drugs include cannabis, ecstasy, and heroin.

What is the classification system for illegal drugs based on?

Their danger level, with Class A being the most dangerous and Class C being the least dangerous.

What is a common effect of misusing drugs, whether medicinal or recreational?

Addiction, damage to the body, and personal and social problems. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most addictive drug in tobacco, and what are some of its effects?

Nicotine, which increases heart rate and blood pressure, and makes blood vessels narrower. Signup and view all the answers

What is tar, and what is its effect on the lungs?

Tar is a chemical in tobacco that causes cancer of the lungs, mouth, and throat, and traps dirt and microbes in the lungs. Signup and view all the answers

How do cells in the lining of the gas exchange system respond to the presence of tar and other substances?

They produce sticky mucus that traps dirt and microbes, which is then moved out of the lungs by cells with tiny hair-like parts called cilia. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of nicotine on the gas exchange system, and how does it affect breathing?

Nicotine causes the alveoli to become narrower, making it more difficult for gas exchange to occur. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hot smoke and tar from smoking on the cilia?

It damages the cilia. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of painkillers, and what is an example of one?

Painkillers relieve symptoms but do not kill the pathogen. An example is paracetamol. Signup and view all the answers

What does nicotine from tobacco do to the nervous system?

It speeds up messages in the nervous system, making one feel more alert and shortening reaction times. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of illegal stimulants such as cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines on the body?

They can damage the liver and heart, cause loss of memory and concentration, and bring an increased risk of mental health issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of depressants on the nervous system?

They slow down messages in the nervous system, making one feel less alert and lengthening reaction times. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an illegal depressant?

Heroin. Signup and view all the answers

What can happen if solvents and gases are inhaled?

They can cause liver damage, brain damage, and death. Signup and view all the answers

Why can the effects of drugs vary from person to person?

The effects of drugs can vary because people respond differently to them. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is a Drug?

A drug is a substance that has an effect on the body.
Medicines are drugs that help people suffering from pain or disease.
Recreational drugs are taken by people because they like the effects they have on their bodies.

Types of Recreational Drugs

Legal recreational drugs: tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine.
Illegal recreational drugs: cannabis, ecstasy, and heroin.
Some medicines can be misused and taken for recreational use, making them illegal.

Classification of Illegal Drugs

Class A drugs: most dangerous, with the most serious penalties for possession or dealing.
Class C drugs: least dangerous, with the lightest penalties, but still not safe to take.

Effects of Recreational Drugs

Most recreational drugs can be addictive.
Misused drugs can cause damage to the body, as well as personal and social problems.
Injecting drugs with a shared needle and syringe can lead to diseases from infected blood.

Nicotine and Tobacco

Nicotine is the most addictive drug in tobacco.
Nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure, and makes blood vessels narrower.
Tar in tobacco causes cancer of the lungs, mouth, and throat.
Smoking damages cilia, leading to coughing and increased risk of bronchitis.

Painkillers

Painkillers relieve symptoms but do not kill the pathogen.
Examples: paracetamol and aspirin.
Painkillers must be taken according to instructions to avoid serious harm.

Stimulants

Stimulants speed up messages in the nervous system.
Examples: nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines.
Stimulants make you feel more alert and energetic, but can also cause headaches, nervousness, and difficulty sleeping.