The Use And Abuse Of Drugs ~ B1.3

Question 1

What are the stages of developing a new drug?

Answer 1

~New drug is made in a laboratory
~Tested in a laboratory using cells, tissue culture and live animals for toxicity
~Drugs tested on healthy volunteers in clinical trials. Often very low doses of drug are given in initial trials to test toxicity
~If the drug is found safe, there are further clinical trials on humans to find the optimum dose

Question 2

What is a double blind trial?

Answer 2

Some patients are given a placebo, which does not contain the drug (e.g. a sugar pill). Neither patients not doctor know who is given the placebo until the trial finishes.

Question 3

What was thalidomide originally developed, tested and approved as?

Answer 3

A sleeping pill.

Question 4

What was thalidomide found to be effective relieving as a second use?

Answer 4

It was found to be effective in relieving morning sickness in pregnant women.

Question 5

For thalidomides second use, why was it banned?

Answer 5

As it was not tested on pregnant women, many babies were born with limb abnormalities after the pregnant mother had taken the drug.

Question 6

What is thalidomide now used to treat?

Answer 6

Leprosy.

Question 7

Why do some people use recreational drugs?

Answer 7

Some people like the effect the drug has on them.

Question 8

What are some example of legal recreational drugs?

Answer 8

Nicotine and alcohol.

Question 9

What are some examples of illegal recreational drugs?

Answer 9

Cannabis, heroin and ecstasy.

Question 10

What can excessive alcohol consumption and binge drinking cause damage to?

Answer 10

The liver, which can eventually result in death.

Question 11

What effects can drugs have?

Answer 11

Drugs alter the chemical processes in people.

Question 12

What could happen if people become dependant on drugs?

Answer 12

They may experience withdrawal symptoms if they don’t have them (drugs)

Question 13

What are some examples of withdrawal symptoms?

Answer 13

Paranoia, sweating and vomiting

Question 14

What is cannabis?

Answer 14

An illegal recreational drug which is used for recreational purposes by many people. It is a relaxant and can cause hallucinations.

Question 15

What are some harmful side effects for cannabis?

Answer 15

Bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer and mental illness.

Question 16

What is a performance enhancing drug?

Answer 16

Any substance used to increase a particular skill set e.g. Steroids

Question 17

What will stimulants do?

Answer 17

They will boost body functions such as heart rate.

Question 18

What are the benefits of using stations on cardiovascular disease?

Answer 18

~They reduce the manufacture of cholesterol
~They reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by a third
~They are the most effective drugs for reducing LDLs

Question 19

What are the problems of using statins on cardiovascular disease?

Answer 19

~Statins can have many side effects
~They cannot be taken by children, pregnant women or heavy drinkers
~Availability of statins reduces the need for people to change their unhealthy lifestyle
~They must be taken for life

Question 20

What class drug is heroin?

Answer 20

A

Question 21

What class drug is cocaine?

Answer 21

A

Question 22

What class drug is ecstasy?

Answer 22

A

Question 23

What class drug is amphetamines?

Answer 23

A/B

Question 24

What class drug is cannabis?

Answer 24

B

Question 25

Why do some people use heroin?

Answer 25

It is a sedative, causes severe cravings, very addictive. It is either smoked or injected.

Question 26

Why do some people use cocaine?

Answer 26

It is a stimulant, it increases confidence, raises heart rate and blood pressure. Causes cravings, very addictive. It is either injected, inhaled or smoked.

Question 27

Why do some people use ecstasy?

Answer 27

It is a stimulant which gives an adrenaline rush, feeling of well beings, high body temperature, anxiety. It is ingested in tablet form.

Question 28

Why do some people use amphetamines?

Answer 28

It is a stimulant which increases the heart rate, they can be addictive and cause paranoia. They are ingested in tablet form.

Question 29

Why do some people use cannabis?

Answer 29

They are a relaxant which can cause hallucinations. They are smoked.

Question 30

What is a experimental drug?

Answer 30

When people try a drug for the first times out of curiosity, boredom or because their friends are doing it. Some do it to rebel against authority.

Question 31

What are the problems of experimental drugs?

Answer 31

~A person is just as likely to have a bad reaction from trying a drug for the first time as a person who uses drugs for recreation regularly
~It could lead to recreational drugs (as a gateway drug)
~it could lead to trying harder drugs to get a new ‘high’

Question 32

What is a recreational drug?

Answer 32

When people use drugs in a regular way but fairly controlled way. It is seen by some people as a way of relaxing.

Question 33

What are the problems of recreational drugs?

Answer 33

~it could lead to dependant drug use
~it could lead to using harder drugs to get a new ‘high’
~a person risks a bad reaction to drugs everytime they use them
~it could lead to mental problems

Question 34

What is a dependant drug?

Answer 34

When people are addicted to drugs and need the feeling it gives them. It is also addictive ~ the body needs a drug

Question 35

What are the problems of dependant drugs?

Answer 35

~people can not function without the drug
~people suffer withdrawal symptoms if they do not have the drug
~a person risks a bad reaction to drugs everytime they use them
~it could lead to mental problems

Question 36

What may be added to heroin and cocaine to add bulk?

Answer 36

Glucose, milk powder, brick dust and flour

Question 37

Is smoking cannabis bad for your health?

Answer 37

Yes
~has a higher concentration of cancer-causing substances than tobacco
~it may be psychologically addictive
~it can lead to mental illness
No
~less addictive than tobacco or alcohol
~it has been reported that the high use of cannabis is not associated with major health or sociological problems

Question 38

Can smoking cannabis lead users to harder drugs?

Answer 38

Yes
~cannabis may be a ‘gateway’ drug to more harmful substances such as heroin and cocaine
No
~many cannabis smokers never use any harder drugs

Question 39

Why could it be good to use steroids?

Answer 39

~steroids have medical uses
~side effects include damage to the heart and liver
~some people think that if steroids were allowed there would be less risk and could be medically monitored

Question 40

Why could it be bad to use steroids?

Answer 40

~steroids as performance enhancers in sport are banned
~young athletes may end up taking steroids because they see professional athletes taking them
~young athletes may end up taking steroids because they are pressurised to continually improve