Drugs Flashcards
List 3 legal drugs.
Caffeine - a stimulant that makes you feel more energetic. It is addictive and has some side effects but these aren’t serious to health.
Nicotine - addictive drug found in tobacco.
Alcohol - it is a depressive drug, making alcohol users violent, sometimes suicidal. It can damage the brain and liver as well as cause heart disease, strokes and cancer.
What is a drug?
A drug is any substance that is taken into our bodies that affects the way our bodies and mind works. They can be legal or illegal.
What’s meant by the phrase “social drugs”?
When drugs are taken as part of social events, such as alcohol.
What are “Recreational Drugs”?
The term is mostly used to describe illegal drugs that are a major part of a recreational activity like dancing. For example, ecstasy.
List 5 Class A drugs and the punishment time
Heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy and LSD. Class A punishments include up to 7 years for possession and life for supply (dealing)
List 2 Class B drugs and the punishment time.
Cannabis and amphetamines.
Class B punishments include 5 years fo possession and 14 years for supply/dealing.
List 2 Class C drugs and punishment time.
Tranquillisers and anabolic steroids.
Class C varies. People can get 2 years for possession and 14 years for supply/dealing.
What’s a hard drug?
Class A drugs which are addictive.
Arguments for legalising hard drugs.
Addicts would not need to commit crimes to get the drug.
If there are no massive profits, then the drug system would break up.
Addicts no longer fear admitting their addiction and would seek help.
Police would be freed from drug enforcement to deal with other crimes.
Arguments against legalising hard drugs.
They’re very dangerous to health and so society has a duty to stop them being used.
It would send out a message that drug taking is acceptable.
There if greater risk of young people becoming addicted to them
Arguments for legalising cannabis.
Not physically addictive and less harmful than alcohol, which is legal.
Is helpful in relieving suffering.
Legalising cannabis would free up police to deal with more serious offences.
Against cannabis.
Long-terms effects could be harmful.
Cannabis can lead people on to taking hard drugs.
Can cause dangerous driving and stays in the body longer than alcohol.
No evidence that people become psychologically dependent on cannabis.
Christian views on illegal drugs
The Christian Bible teaches ‘you body is a temple of the Holy Spirit’. This suggests you should treat it with respect as it is God made and holy like a temple.
The Bible says, ‘Thou shall not kill’ (10 Commandments). Taking and dealing drugs can lead to death and violent crime. Christians would be against this.
The Bible says Christians should ‘obey’ the governing authorities. This suggests they should follow the government’s laws, especially on drugs.
Jesus taught people to ‘love their neighbour’. Selling illegal drugs is not a loving thing to do.
However, Jesus healed the sick so He would not be against using drugs as medicine to improve health.
Buddhist views on drugs
Taking drugs goes against the Fifth Buddhist Precept – avoid intoxicants.
