Drug Classification
What is a Drug?
A substance that alters bodily function, resulting in changes in perception, mood or behaviour.
What is the addictive drug found in tobacco?
Nicotine
Is alcohol a legal or illegal drug in Australia?
Legal for over 18s
What does it mean to make a decision?
Choosing between different options or courses of action.
Name one consequence of drug use.
Answers could include health problems, injury, relationship problems, financial costs, emotional problems or environmental impacts.
What type of drug is caffeine? (classification)
Stimulant
How quickly can nicotine reach the brain after it enters the bloodstream?
Approximately 10 seconds.
What is binge drinking?
Drinking heavily over a short period of time, or drinking continuously over a number of days or weeks.
Give two factors that can influence a young person's decision to smoke.
Name one physical and one social consequence of smoking.
Is alcohol and tobacco legal or illegal drugs in Australia?
Alcohol and tobacco are legal drugs in Australia.
Name two factors that can influence a young person’s decision to smoke.
Any two of: peer group, adult role models, stress/negative feelings, tobacco promotion, wanting to look cool/older, or access to cigarettes.
Name three short-term effects of drinking alcohol.
What is peer pressure? Give one example related to drug use.
Peer pressure is pressure from friends or other people your age to behave in a particular way. Example: friends encouraging someone to smoke or drink.
What are the four categories to classify consequences of risky drinking?
What is the difference between a stimulant and a depressant? Give an example of each.
A stimulant generally increases activity/alertness in the central nervous system; caffeine is an example. A depressant slows activity in the central nervous system; alcohol is an example.
Name two health problems associated with nicotine or smoking.
Name 3 harms associated with alcohol use.
Your friends pressure you to drink alcohol at a party, but you don't want to. Give 2 assertive refusal strategies you could use.
Explain how risky drinking can have consequences beyond the person who consumes the alcohol.
Alcohol can affect other people through violence, accidents, relationship problems, family impacts and unsafe behaviour such as driving while affected.
A student says, “If a drug is legal, it can't be harmful.” Explain why this statement is incorrect
Legal does not mean harmless. For example, alcohol is legal but is associated with injuries, road accidents, violence and many health problems. Tobacco is legal but smoking is associated with serious illness and premature death.
Explain why nicotine can make it difficult for a person to quit smoking. Include what happens when nicotine enters the brain.
Nicotine is highly addictive. It reaches the brain quickly and attaches to special sites in the brain, causing relaxing chemicals to be released. This effect is short-lived, so an addicted smoker needs to continue smoking to maintain these effects
Explain how alcohol can affect a person's decision-making and increase their risk of harm.
Alcohol can reduce inhibitions, affect judgement, slow reflexes and cause confusion or poor muscle control. This can lead to risk-taking and poor decisions, such as unsafe behaviour, violence or driving while affected by alcohol.
You are at a party and your friend has consumed too much alcohol and is becoming unsteady. Explain the decisions you should make to reduce the risk of harm.
They should recognise that their friend may be at risk, stay with them, seek help from a responsible adult/emergency services if needed, avoid leaving them alone, and make sure they do not attempt to drive or travel with someone affected by alcohol. The booklet specifically encourages students to look after friends, be aware of dangers, get help when needed and get home safely.
Explain how drug use can create a cycle where one decision can lead to several different consequences. Use an example involving alcohol or nicotine.
E.g. A young person decides to drink alcohol → alcohol affects their judgement → they take more risks → they may become injured or make unsafe choices → this can affect their relationships, school/work and emotional wellbeing. One decision can therefore create physical, social and emotional consequences.