Drug Categories & Effects
This group of drugs slows down messages between the brain and body. Name the category
Depressants
Name one reason a teenager might try drugs for the first time.
Peer pressure / curiosity / to fit in.
True or False: Energy drinks are considered stimulants.
True.
If you’re at a party and see someone with a bong, what is one harm that could happen?
Getting in trouble with parents/police, health risks from smoking, social conflict.
What is the first thing you should check before giving first aid in any situation?
Danger (check for safety for yourself, others, and the patient).
Cannabis, heroin, and alcohol all fall under which drug category?
Depressants
Give one reason why a young person might refuse or stop using drugs.
Fear of health risks / not wanting legal trouble / pressure from family.
What is one law in Australia that restricts the use, purchase, or sale of alcohol or drugs?
Legal drinking age is 18 / Illegal to supply drugs / Random roadside drug and alcohol testing.
At the same party, what’s one responsible choice you could make to reduce harm?
Take the bong away, ask them to leave, tell an adult.
When calling Triple Zero (000), what’s one important piece of information you must give the operator?
Location / what happened / condition of the person.
Name 2 stimulant drugs and describe one short-term effect they have on the body.
Examples: Cocaine, caffeine, nicotine. Effect: Increased heart rate / alertness / energy.
Peer pressure and curiosity are common reasons for drug use. Name one personal reason and one social reason.
Personal = stress relief / boredom. Social = friends encourage it / party environment.
What is the legal drinking age in Australia?
18 years old.
What’s one possible consequence of reporting your friend to an adult at the party?
Parents may stop the party, friend might be angry, but safety is increased.
If someone is unconscious but breathing, what position should you place them in?
Recovery position.
Hallucinogens affect the brain in unique ways. Explain one long-term effect of hallucinogens and give an example.
Example: LSD or magic mushrooms; long-term effects include anxiety, or paranoia.
Explain how environment, individual factors, and drug type can each change a person’s drug-use experience.
Environment → Who they’re with, where they are.
Individual → Age, health, mood.
Drug type → Strength, amount, how it’s taken.
Explain one way media or advertising might encourage young people to use drugs.
Shows partying/drinking as glamorous, normalises risky behaviour.
Name two community services or organizations that could help someone struggling with drug use, and briefly explain how each supports people.
Headspace (mental health/drug support), Alcohol and Drug Foundation (info/help), Counsellor at school.
If a person has collapsed after taking drugs and is not breathing, what immediate action should you start?
CPR
All drugs affect the central nervous system differently. Match all 4 categories to one drug example each AND describe one effect per category.
Depressants → Alcohol → Slows reaction time.
Stimulants → Cocaine → Increases heart rate.
Hallucinogens → LSD → Alters perception.
Multi-actioned - Cannabis - depressant and hallucinogenic effects
Some people relapse into drug use after quitting. Give three different complex reasons why this might happen.
Cravings/withdrawals (physical), stress/depression (psychological), being around users/parties (social).
Describe how drug misuse can affect three different areas of life.
Liver (Body/Health) → Physical health problems such as organ damage, overdose, or addiction.
Lover (Relationships) → Conflict with family, friends, or partners due to drug-related behaviour.
Livelihood (Work/Study) → Loss of opportunities at school or work, unemployment.
Law (Legal issues) → Getting fined, arrested, or having a criminal record from drug-related offences.
You’re at a concert and your friend shows signs of ecstasy overdose (hot, confused, sweating). List four critical steps you should take to help them.
Move them to a cool place, call 000, give water (small sips), stay with them and monitor breathing.
Explain the steps of DRSABCD
D = Danger → Check safety.
R = Response → Check if they respond.
S = Send for help → Call 000.
A = Airway → Clear airway.
B = Breathing → Check if breathing.
C = CPR → Start if not breathing.
D = Defibrillator → Use if available.