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The Quiz
Complete the quiz using the information on this page (below)
Complete the quiz using the information on this page (below)
Each set of questions is aligned to the different parts of this site:
Each set of questions is aligned to the different parts of this site:
Section A - Information Source for Drug Education
Section A - Information Source for Drug Education
Part 1 - Introduction: Types of Drugs
Part 1 - Introduction: Types of Drugs
What is it?
What is it?
Nicotine is a stimulant drug that speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and body. Tobacco is the dried, cured and aged leaf of the tobacco plant, species Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica. The psychoactive drug in tobacco is nicotine.
What is the law?
What is the law?
Tobacco is a legal drug; however, there are a number of laws that regulate its use and who can sell and buy it the conditions under which it can be sold, bought and consumed:
• It is an offence to sell tobacco to people under the age of 18 years. • It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 years to purchase tobacco products.
• It is an offence to purchase tobacco products for a person under the age of 18 years.
• It is also an offence to smoke tobacco in many public areas, such as shopping centres, restaurants, entertainment venues, enclosed licensed premises, enclosed workplaces, underage music/dance events and in covered areas of train station platforms, tram stops and bus stops.
What are some of the slang names?
What are some of the slang names?
Ciggies, darts, durries, rollies, smokes, fags, butts, cancer sticks.
How do users consume it?
How do users consume it?
The most common method by far of using tobacco and ingesting the nicotine is through smoking cigarettes. Some people also smoke cigars and pipes. The nicotine is absorbed through the membranes of the upper respiratory tract (including the mouth and lungs). Less commonly, tobacco is chewed (chewing tobacco and wet snuff) and the nicotine is absorbed through membranes in the mouth, or sniffed (dry snuff) and the nicotine is absorbed through membranes in the nose. Nicotine can also be ingested through chewing nicotine gum (absorbed through membranes in the mouth), using nicotine patches (absorbed through the skin), and using nicotine inhalers (absorbed through the membranes of the respiratory tract).
What are the effects?
What are the effects?
The nicotine in tobacco is a stimulant drug. It speeds up the activity of the central nervous system (CNS), which sends messages to and from the brain. New smokers especially are likely to experience include:
• possible dizziness
• nausea and abdominal cramps
• watery eyes
• coughing due to smoke irritation
• small increase in heart rate
• elevated blood pressure
• decreased blood flow to fingers and toes.
Tolerance develops quickly to these less pleasant effects, while larger amounts of tobacco can increase them, leading to feeling faint, confusion, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and a rapid decrease in blood pressure and breathing rate.
What is the harm?
What is the harm?
Tobacco is also the cause of an enormous amount of ill-health in the community. This includes:
• cancer of the lung, mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, stomach, liver, cervix, nose and lip
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema
• heart attack
• high blood pressure
• peripheral vascular disease
• stroke
• reduced fertility in both men and women
• stomach ulcers
• damage to walls of blood vessels, which can lead to atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in the arms, hands, legs and feet, and can result in gangrene and amputation
• exacerbation of asthma, and more frequent asthma attacks
• eye cataracts and macular degeneration.
What is it?
What is it?
Cannabis is classified as a cannabinoid drug. The exact number of different cannabinoids in the cannabis sativa plant is still being researched, but it primarily contains the psychoactive cannabinoid THC (delta9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD).
What is the law?
What is the law?
It is against the law to possess, use, cultivate and traffic cannabis in Australia. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making or selling cannabis, or driving under the influence. There are also laws that prevent the sale and possession of bongs and other smoking equipment in some states and territories. Certain states in Australia have passed laws to allow access to medicinal cannabis for very specific conditions.
What are some of the slang names?
What are some of the slang names?
Common names include grass, dope, pot, weed, skunk, smoke, stuff, ganja, hooch, mull, herb, yarndi, hydro or wacky terbacky. The three common forms of psychoactive cannabis are marijuana, hashish and hashish oil.
How do users consume it?
How do users consume it?
Depending on the form it comes it, how it is consuimed will change. It is usually smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints) or in a pipe (bong). It can also be added to tobacco and smoked or baked into foods and eaten.
What are the effects?
What are the effects?
There is no safe level of drug use. Cannabis is a depressant drug. It slows down or depresses the central nervous system (CNS). In large amounts it can have hallucinogenic effects (distortion of perception). The specific effects of cannabis vary from person to person and depend on a range of factors, for example:
• the form of cannabis and its strength (THC level)
• how much is used
• how it is taken (whether smoked or swallowed)
• if any other drugs are taken at the same time (see page 8 on ‘Polydrug use’ for more information about using more than one drug at a time and possible interactions)
• the personal characteristics of the person using it
• their expectations
• their past experiences with cannabis
• the environment in which the person is using cannabis, including the mood or atmosphere.
If cannabis is smoked, the effects are immediate and usually last two to three hours. It generally produces a feeling of relaxation and sense of wellbeing, however there may be distorted perceptions of time, space and distance and a reduced ability to concentrate and respond. Appetite, talkativeness, drowsiness and heart rate are often increased, but blood pressure is decreased. First time users may experience psychological distress and sometimes report negative bodily effects such as headaches, nausea and fainting.
What is the harm?
What is the harm?
Large amounts or stronger forms of cannabis make its effects more intense. Users may feel agitated and detached from reality. They may lose track of what they are saying and become confused. Further negative effects include feeling disoriented, and experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations and paranoia. This can include psychosis, although it passes and does not last long. Physical effects can include going pale and sweaty, and feeling dizzy and nauseous (‘greening out’).
Used regularly over a long period of time, cannabis can affect health and wellbeing. Because of the way it is most commonly used – smoked with tobacco – the health effects of tobacco can impact on cannabis users. Effects of long-term use of cannabis include:
• insomnia
• depression
• anxiety
• aggression
• poor concentration
• some effect on memory, learning, attention and ability to process complex information
• impairment to the immune system (although there is limited scientific evidence for this).
What is it?
What is it?
Ecstasy is the street name for MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine). The chemical structure of MDMA is similar to the structure of both amphetamines and some hallucinogens, as are its effects. Ecstasy is usually sold in small tablets or capsules that come in a variety of colours and sizes. The tablets are often imprinted with logos and designs from popular culture. Tablets sold as ecstasy routinely contain other drugs .
What is the law?
What is the law?
It is illegal to possess, use, manufacture and traffic MDMA in Australia. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making or selling MDMA, or driving under its influence.
What are some of the slang names?
What are some of the slang names?
Common names for ecstasy can include ecstasy, pills, E, X, XTC, eccies, love drug, disco biscuits, Adam, M & M, scooby snacks, hug or beans. Ecstasy, caps, Eckies, E, XTC, pills, pingers, bikkies, flippers, molly, M&M are other names. It is sometimes named after the appearance of the tablet, for example blue hearts.
How do users consume it?
How do users consume it?
MDMA is usually swallowed in its tablet or capsule form, but can also come as a powder or crystal. The pills come in different colours and sizes and are often imprinted with a picture, symbol or logo. When sold in pill form, two pills with the same logo or symbol may have different effects.
What are the effects?
What are the effects?
MDMA, which is usually the main component of ecstasy, is both a stimulant and a hallucinogen. It is a stimulant because it speeds up the action of the central nervous system (CNS) which sends messages to the and from the brain. It is also a hallucinogen because it distorts perceptions of reality.
Physical effects are similar to those for amphetamines and include:
• increased blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature
• increased energy, reduced fatigue
• reduced appetite
• dilated (enlarged) pupils.
What is the harm?
What is the harm?
Common effects are also sweating, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, insomnia, poor muscle control and muscle soreness. Some people also experience confusion, anxiety, distorted perception, thinking and memory, and panic attacks and paranoia. High doses can produce visual and auditory hallucinations.
Like other psychostimulants, MDMA raises body temperature, which carries a risk of dehydration, especially if the user is dancing in a crowded venue. There have been cases where people trying to avoid dehydration caused by MDMA who have drunk too much water and suffered water intoxication and died from swelling of the brain.
Part 5 - Methamphetamine (ice)
Source: https://adf.org.au/drug-facts https://fuse.education.vic.gov.au/ Part 5 - Methamphetamine (ice)
What is it?
What is it?
Crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’, ice drug) is a stimulant drug, which means it speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and the body. It’s stronger, more addictive and therefore has more harmful side effects than the powder form of methamphetamine known as speed. Ice usually comes as small chunky clear crystals that look like ice. It can also come as white or brownish crystal-like powder with a strong smell and bitter taste.
What is the law?
What is the law?
Use of methamphetamine (ice) is against the law. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making, selling, importing or exporting, or driving under the influence of methamphetamine.
What are some of the slang names?
What are some of the slang names?
The most usual slang names are speed, ice or meth. Other common names for powder or tablet amphetamine include up, fast, goey, whiz, pep pills or uppers. Other common names for crystal methamphetamine include crystal, crystal meth, meth, glass, shabu or batu.
How do users consume it?
How do users consume it?
Amphetamines are most commonly swallowed, injected or smoked. They are also ‘snorted’, or sniffed, through the nose. Some forms (e.g. powder) are not smoked as they are destroyed when burnt; others (e.g. crystal methamphetamine) are not swallowed as they are destroyed in the digestive tract.
What are the effects?
What are the effects?
Amphetamines are stimulant drugs. They stimulate activity in the central nervous system (CNS) which sends messages to and from the brain. The specific effects of amphetamines vary from person to person and depend on a range of factors, for example:
• the type of amphetamine
• its strength and purity
• how much amphetamine is used
• how it is taken: if smoked or injected, the effects will be rapid; if swallowed or snorted the effects will take longer to occur
• if any other drugs are taken
• the personal characteristics of the person using the amphetamine
• the expectations of the person using the amphetamine • the person’s past experience with amphetamines
• the environment in which the person is using the amphetamine.
Usually the effects of methamphetamine last anywhere from one hour to six hours or longer. They are more intense and last longer than amphetamine, and the crystal form of methamphetamine is more potent than the powder form.
What is the harm?
What is the harm?
Users sometimes report feeling anxious, irritable, hostile and aggressive. Sleeping difficulties are also common. More often, harmful effects are caused by taking larger doses or may be by taking repeated doses over a period of hours or days. Harmful physical and psychological effects Large amounts of amphetamines can cause the following:
• high blood pressure
• increased body temperature
• rapid or abnormal heart action
• seizures
• jaw clenching or teeth grinding
• nausea and vomiting
• blurred vision
• confusion
• anxiety and agitation
• carrying out meaningless actions
• impaired cognitive and motor performance
• violent and aggressive behaviour
• the crash (dysphoria, depression, etc.)
What is it?
What is it?
Cocaine is a stimulant drug, which means that it speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and the rest of the body. Cocaine hydrochloride, or cocaine, is the most common form of the drug. It is a fine, white crystalline powder that has a bitter, numbing taste. It is often ‘cut’ (mixed) with similarlooking substances, such as lactose, glucose, baking soda and corn-starch to dilute it before it is sold. Cocaine hydrochloride can be chemically altered so that the hydrochloride is removed from the cocaine molecule. Different techniques produce ‘freebase’ and ‘crack’. Freebase is a white powder that is sometimes called base. Crack generally appears as crystals that can range in colour from white or a creamy colour through to transparent with a hint of colour. Crack is also sometimes called rock or wash.
What is the law?
What is the law?
It is illegal to possess, use, cultivate and traffic cocaine in Australia. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making or selling cocaine, or driving under their influence.
What are some of the slang names?
What are some of the slang names?
Common names include coke, Charlie, snow, lines, C, flake, blow, nose candy,
white lady, toot, white dust or stardust.
How do users consume it?
How do users consume it?
It is most commonly snorted, but can also be injected or rubbed into the gums, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
What are the effects?
What are the effects?
Cocaine is a stimulant drug. It speeds up or stimulates activity in the central nervous system (CNS) which sends messages to and from the brain. Its effects are similar to the effects of amphetamines, but generally last for a much shorter time. In addition, cocaine acts as a local anaesthetic and it also causes blood vessels to narrow.
Cocaine speeds up bodily functions. Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and body temperature increase, energy increases, appetite and fatigue are reduced, and pupils dilate (enlarge). Because cocaine is a local anaesthetic another effect is indifference to pain and localised pain relief.
What is the harm?
What is the harm?
Physical effects include:
• cardiovascular complications: chest pains, rapid and irregular heartbeat, heart attack and stroke
• seizures
• muscle twitches
• nausea and vomiting
• eating disorders, extreme weight loss and malnutrition
• reduced immunity and increased susceptibility to infections due to not sleeping or eating properly
• sexual dysfunction.
Psychological effects include:
• grandiose feelings
• extreme agitation
• unpredictable aggressive or violent behaviour (mainly associated with crack cocaine use)
• hallucinations
• paranoia
• psychosis
What is it?
What is it?
Heroin is part of a group of drugs known as opioids. Opioids interact with opioid receptors in the brain and elicit a range of responses within the body; from feelings of pain relief, to relaxation, pleasure and contentment. Heroin is derived from the sticky resin produced by the seed pod of the opium (Papaver somniferum L). Heroin can range from a fine white powder to off-white granules or pieces of brown ‘rock’.
What is the law?
What is the law?
It is illegal to possess, use, cultivate, or traffic heroin in Australia. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making or selling heroin, or driving under the influence.
What are some of the slang names?
What are some of the slang names?
Common names for heroin include smack, H, horse, junk, skag, dope, slow, gear, harry, china white, Chinese H, white dynamite, dragon, elephant, homebake or poison. Also known as Smack, gear, hammer, the dragon, H, dope, junk, harry, horse, black tar, white dynamite, homebake, china white, Chinese H, poison, Dr Harry.
How do users consume it?
How do users consume it?
Heroin can be injected, snorted or smoked. It is most commonly injected. It can also be smoked by mixing it with tobacco and other substances. Another method of smoking heroin is known as ‘chasing the dragon’.
What are the effects?
What are the effects?
Heroin is a depressant drug. It slows down activity in the central nervous system (CNS), which sends messages to and from the brain. If heroin is injected, strong effects are felt in a few seconds. If smoked, a milder effect is produced within five to 15 seconds. The initial effect is of euphoria, followed by a feeling of sedation which typically lasts two to four hours. In low-to-moderate quantities heroin slows down breathing, decreases blood pressure and heart rate and constricts pupils. It also relieves physical pain and causes sedation, reduces appetite and sexual urges, decreases coordination and consciousness, and causes a dry mouth. Some people experience confusion, nausea, vomiting and constipation.
What is the harm?
What is the harm?
Overdose causes significantly slowed breathing and drop in blood pressure. As breathing can stop altogether, heroin overdose can be fatal.
Sharing equipment (such as injecting or snorting paraphernalia) increases the risk of contracting bloodborne viruses (such as HIV and hepatitis B and C).
Smoking heroin avoids risks such as contracting infections, although overdose is still possible.
Long term use also often causes these health issues: malnourishment, increase risk of infections due to lowered immunity, vain damage
Section B - Information Source for Community Impact
Section B - Information Source for Community Impact
The effects of drug abuse are difficult to measure, and change for every individual. This section focuses on the impact of drug abuse on the community overall. Drug abuse occurs when an individual is using a substance in a destructive pattern, causing substantial problems. This can lead to a drug addiction, where the body develops a tolerance to this abuse or suffers withdrawals from the drugs.
Part 1 - Injuries
Source: Exploring HPE: Health and Physical Education (Titan Education 9&10 textbook)Part 1 - Injuries
Drug abuse causes more deaths, illnesses and disabilities than any other preventable health condition. The risk of accidents and injuries, medical problems and violence is much higher for those people who live with drug addiction and dependency.
Drug abuse causes more deaths, illnesses and disabilities than any other preventable health condition. The risk of accidents and injuries, medical problems and violence is much higher for those people who live with drug addiction and dependency.
Part 2 - Behavioural Problems
Source: Exploring HPE: Health and Physical Education (Titan Education 9&10 textbook)Part 2 - Behavioural Problems
The use of drugs taps into the neurotransmitters in the brain and can cause changes in normal behaviours such as:
aggressiveness
impulsiveness
limited self-control
reduced judgement
paranoia.
Part 3 - Family
Source: Exploring HPE: Health and Physical Education (Titan Education 9&10 textbook)Part 3 - Family
Illegal drug use and drug dependency can cause serious strain and have negative effects on an individual’s family. Drug use, both short- and long- term, has adverse effects on an individual’s ability to function as they normally would in various aspects of life. Drug use can impair communication skills; can cause financial instability; and can cause changes in mood and overall wellbeing. All of these factors can cause harm to a drug user’s family. Relationships can break down because individuals feel mistreated, lied to, mistrusted and so on. Drug use can cause fighting and increase stress levels, which can lead to mental health issues not just for the user but for their family as well. Financial strain can tear families apart and can even lead to homelessness.
Part 4 - Community
Source: Exploring HPE: Health and Physical Education (Titan Education 9&10 textbook)Part 4 - Community
Drug dependency also has both direct and indirect harms on the community. In communities where drug use is high, instances of crime, homelessness and unemployment also increase. Being a part of specific communities can often contribute to an individual experimenting with drugs, or even the type of drugs an individual will experiment with. For instance, in lower socioeconomic areas, the common drugs in the community may include methamphetamines, for example ice, because it is cheap and easily made. Common drugs in higher socioeconomic areas might include cocaine. It is not uncommon for individuals to fuel their drug habit through adverse means such as crime.
This can affect communities in a number of different ways, including:
small businesses becoming victims of theft/break-ins
small businesses being understaffed due to an employee taking drugs
bad reputation for the community as a whole
taxpayer money going towards drug-related causes
strain on community health services
creating a cycle of drug use which impacts susceptible, younger members of the community.
Part 5 - Support Services
Source: Exploring HPE: Health and Physical Education (Titan Education 9&10 textbook)Part 5 - Support Services
Support services across Australia are already under strain because they are underresourced. With a large spike in the number of people using and becoming dependent on ice and other illicit drugs, this strain is worsening. Health services such as emergency departments and ambulances also have to cater to people needing help due to their drug habits, which costs money and takes time and skills away from helping individuals with serious health concerns that are not selfinduced. Prolonged drug use causes various health concerns, particularly mental health concerns. This creates more demand for mental health services. According to the Australian Government’s 2013 drugs in Australia survey, illicit drug use costs the Australian society over $8 billion, with tangible costs associated with crime, lost productivity and health care.
Source: AIHW report 2014.
The above survey also found that in 2013, there were over 105,000 drug-related hospitalisations. One aspect of the National Drug Strategy 2010–2015 is to use the internet as a source of information and even treatment for some individuals within the community who are suffering from drug- and alcohol-related illnesses. This would ultimately free up face-to-face support services for those in serious need of more help.
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