Religious Attitudes To Drug Abuse

Question 1

What is a drug?

What are prescription drugs?

Answer 1

The drug is a substance which affects the body or mind.

Drugs legally obtained with a doctors consent (painkillers - paracetamol, ibuprofen).

Question 2

What is drug of abuse?

What are social drugs?

Answer 2

Using drugs in a way that harms the user physically or mentally.

Legal drugs that are still addictive but age controlled (alcohol, nicotine).

Question 3

What are illegal drugs?

Why do you people take them? (4)

Answer 3

Drugs which are against the law to use, sell or possess.

• addiction.
• enjoyment.
• peer pressure.
• coping mechanism.

Question 4

What can illegal drugs do to people? (4)

Answer 4

• have negative effects on health (cancer / psychological damage).
• lead to crime.
• affect relationships and friendships.
• affect the ability to drive.

Question 5

What are religious attitudes to illegal drugs? (2)

Answer 5

Buddhism / Islam / Sikhism =
- forbid the use of illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

Christians =
- teach against their use due to the harm they cause to the individual, family and society.

Question 6

Should people who take illegal drugs be punished? (3)/(3)

Answer 6

AGREE =

• illegal drugs are against the law (all religions obey the law).
• with punishment comes the chance of rehabilitation.
• “an eye for an eye”.

DISAGREE =

• addiction can be seen as a illness which needs to be cured rather than punished.
• people should be punished by God if he believes they have done wrong.
• “treat others the way that you would want to be treated”.

Question 7

Religious attitudes to drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. (3)

Answer 7

Buddhism =
- doesn’t allow alcohol or tobacco because of the harm to user and others (bad karma).

Christians =
- allow the drinking of alcohol in moderation (Holy Communion).

Hinduism =
- allows tobacco and alcohol as long as the user doesn’t become dependant of it.

Question 8

Why do you think religious believers disagree with drink driving? (4)

Answer 8

• can cause accidents with innocent civilians.
• religion prohibits the killing or harming of life.
• “love your neighbour”.
• affects sanctity of life.

Question 9

Should religious believers only use medically prescribed drugs? (3)/(3)

Answer 9

YES =

• they are legal so religions are happy with their use.
• intention of taking them is to do good is not harm.
• God inspired scientist to invent medically prescribed drugs.

NO =

• concern about testing on animals to produce them.
• they are unnatural and may be against Gods wishes.
• should rely on God for healing.

Question 10

Religious beliefs and teachings about the mind and body? (3)

Answer 10

• religions believe illegal drugs create false illusions (meditation and prayer becomes more difficult).
• self harm of body and mind which is against religious teachings.
• body and mind are sacred gifts from God.

Question 11

Example of class A drugs (2).

Example of class B drugs (2).

Example of class C drugs (2).

Answer 11

A - heroin and cocaine.

B - amphetamines and cannabis.

C - anabolic steroids and ketamine.