Area 2: Drug Issues

What is this area about?

When the topic of drugs arises many students say, “Oh that doesn’t relate to me ..I don’t do drugs!”.

However, issues related to drugs are a community based problem. This means that most people are affected by issues related to drugs either directly or indirectly. It is important for all people to have an awareness and understanding of issues related to Drugs within our society and develop skills and strategies to assist them in making smart choices.

When the word “Drugs” is used many students immediately think of illicit or illegal drugs, such as heroin, marijuana or ecstacy. However, there are many other drugs that are often seen as O.K. or often trivialised in our society, eg, Aspirin, Panadol, alcohol, tobacco.

Whether a drug is legal, prescription or illegal, it is important that people have an understanding of the nature of the drug, the effects of the drug on the body and an understanding of why they are taking the drug. If an individual has a solid understanding of drugs and their usage they are more likely to make smart choice and show resilience in their attitudes towards drugs usage.

Through this unit students will:

• Develop a greater awareness of drugs and their effects on the body.
• Develop skills and strategies to maintain their value system when placed under pressure from social influences like peer pressure or coping with changes within their live.
• Identify the impact that drugs have on social health issues.