Drugs

An Informational ResourceBy Lauren Casey

A Drug is any sort of chemical substance that has physiological effects when ingested into the body.Drugs can be taken for recreation or medicinal purposes. Recreational drugs are mostly illegal and can pose increased risks to danger. The Short term and long term effect of Drug Use can lead to serious social implications.

Cannabis

Image Source: http://www.cannabisculture.com/content/2012/10/23/States-Consider-Moving-Beyond-Medical-MarijuanaInformation Source: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabis?gclid=CIv23puAj7cCFSpBpgodYjwAZg- Australian Drug Foundation, 2013http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011

Cannabis is the most commonly illegal drug used in Australia.

Cannabis is derived from the plants Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. There are 3 main forms of Cannabis.

• MarijuanaMarijuana is the dried leaves and flowers of the plant.

• HashishHashish is the dried Cannabis Resin.

• Hash OilHash Oil is the thick oily liquid that is extracted from Cannabis.

Common Street Names

Common street names for Cannabis include:

• Marijuana• Grass• Mull• Pot• Dope • Yarndi• Mary Jane• Hash • Bud

The use of these slang names can also be used in conjunction with Slang terms for how the drugs will be used.

Common Slang names for use and abuse of Cannabis include: • Blast (blast a roach, blast a stick, blast a joint)• Blow a stick• Burn one• Fire it up• Get a gage up• Get the wind• Mow the grass• Torch up

Image Source: http://teachers.smokesnojoke.org.uk/content/SmokingCannabis.aspxInformation Source: http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0007/2410/Cannabis.pdf- NSW Police - 2010http://casapalmera.com/nicknames-street-names-and-slang-for-marijuana/- Casa Palmera – 2013

Appearance and Ingredients

Image Sources:http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/backyard-pot-growers-busted/1659541/ http://marijuana-seeds-cannabis.com/marijuana_seeds_cannabis_how_to_make_hashesh.phpInformational Sources:http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabis?gclid=CIv23puAj7cCFSpBpgodYjwAZg- Australian Drug Foundation, 2013

Cannabis Sativa Plant

Forms of Cannabis

The Cannabis Plants has bright green leaves with a characteristic shape of five to seven leaflets. A sticky resin covers the upper leaves and flowering tops.

Marijuana has the appearance of dried herbs or tea. It can contains seeds or twigs. Its colours can range from grey, green or brown in colour.

Hash is the dried cannabis resin. This is usually sold in the shape of small blocks. Hash contains a higher concentrate of THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) the main active ingredient of Cannabis.

THC is the chemical found in the plant that gives you the feeling of a “high”. The potency of the THC depends on what part of the plant you are using. The flowers and bud have a higher dose than the leave or stems.

Short Term Effects

Shorts term effect of Cannabis can vary from one person to another. However, the most common effects include:

• A person becoming more talkative • A person experience dry, red eyes• A person experiencing a dry mouth and throat• A person feeling more hungry• A person appearing more anxious and/or

paranoid• A person having trouble concentrating• A person experiencing increased heart rate• A person experience breathing difficulties.

Image Source:http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bloodshot%20eyesInformation Source: http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011

Long Term Effects

Image Source: http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/articles/116/article_4617.aspInformational Source: http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/drugAndAlcohol/marijuana.html - NSW Health - 2011http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabis?gclid=CIv23puAj7cCFSpBpgodYjwAZg- Australian drug foundation – 2013http://www.dassa.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=128 – SA Government 2013

Long term and regular usage of Cannabis can cause the following long term effects. These effects are not only detrimental to a persons physical health, but their emotional and social health too.

• Addiction towards the Drug• increased risk of respiratory diseases including

lung cancer, and Bronchitis• decreased motivation• decreased ability to learn new things• decreased libido and fertility • depression and mental health• Impairment of the Immune System• psychological effects - this is more common if

the person is predisposed to mental health issues.

• legal problems - obtaining fines and criminal convictions

Social Impact

It has been estimated that around 200,000 Australian adults are dependent on cannabis. Approximately one in ten people who ever try cannabis will become dependent on it at some time in their lives.

Cannabis law enforcement costs the Australian community well in excess of $300 million per year (about three-quarters of the total cost of illegal drug enforcement). The enforcement of laws relating to cannabis can have an impact on future employment, education and travel prospects of thousands of young Australians.

It has been reported that people who start smoking cannabis at a younger age (early adolescence)and who smoke heavily are more likely to experience mental health problems. General life problems such as conflict at home, school or work, Financial Problems, Memory problems and legal issues are all at an increased rate after years of drug abuse.

Image Source: http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Separation-anxiety-disorder.htmlInformational Source:http://ncpic.org.au/static/pdfs/resources/fast-facts-on-cannabis.pdf –National Cannabis Prevention and information Centre – 2013http://aic.gov.au/documents/A/D/5/%7BAD592CF2-21C6-45A9-AC71-0CF4445CF355%7Dti48.pdf – Australian Institute of Criminology - 1995

Drugs, in particular cannabis, can have serious short and long term effects on a user. The active ingredient THC can range in potency levels, providing a variety of different effects. Long term drug use can cause serious social implications, costing the Australian government millions in preventable funding. The Drug slang can cause confusion amongst parents with teen users. This can than make it difficult for parents to identify problems.