GATEWAY
DRUG
Gateway drugs are habit - forming substances
that may not be addictive but may lead to the
use of other addictive and dangerous drugs.
Gateway drugs are usually inexpensive and
readily available.
What substances are considered
gateway drugs?
Alcohol and cigarettes are considered as
gateway drugs. The habitual use of these
substances opens the door to the use of other
harder drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and
others.
Other types of gateway drugs are marijuana,
inhalants, and some prescription drugs.
The repeated use of gateway drugs may encourage the user to
experiment with other drugs. Taking drugs without a doctor's
prescription is prohibited or illegal and may result to negative
effects in the body.
Drugs are substances other than food that change the
structure or function of the body and mind. The term drug is
oftentimes used to mean medicine.
This kind of drug use may be attributed
to the following reasons:
1. Peer pressure
The need to belong and be accepted in a
group triggers one to initially use drugs. This
is common to teenagers or young adults
2. Removing problems or tensions
The need to temporarily escape from life's
burden is the cause of some for using drugs.
WHAT IS CIGARETTES?
Cigarette is a cylindrical rolled paper containing
dried and shredded tobacco leaves. It is ignited at
one end and puffed at the other end.
Its main component is nicotine, a stimulant that is
highly addictive.
Cigarette also contains approximately 600 other
ingredients. The smoke coming from it contains more
than 7,000 chemicals, 69 of which are carcinogenic or
cancer - causing substances.
Efforts, such as the passing of laws and policies
against smoking, have been exerted to curb the
increasing number of smokers.
The following are some of the
reason why people are tempted
or enticed to smoke:
Peer pressure - People who have
friends or peers who smoke may feel
pressured into doing the same to be
accepted.
Parental Influence - Those who
have parents or guardians who
smoke are more likely to start
smoking.
Advertising and media- Advertisements
of cigarettes portray smoking as
exciting, glamorous, and safe. Movies
and television shows have scenes
showing smoking actors.
Self - medication - Some people
experience a heightened sense of
well - being from smoking and use it
to self - medicate for illnesses that
cause tension and pain.
Stress relief - Some people
smoke to manage tension and
relieve stress from family or from
work.
Weight control - Smoking causes
loss of appetite and eventually loss of
weight.
To feel mature and sophisticated -
Since teens see older people smoke,
especially their parents and relatives,
they too start smoking to look and act
older.
Risk - taking behavior - Since it is
illegal for minors to purchase
cigarettes and smoking is generally
frowned upon, breaking these rules
give thrill to some people.
NEGATIVE HEALTH
IMPACTS OF
SMOKING
Cigarette smoking affects every part of the body, both
inside and out. The harmful chemicals found in
cigarettes and in cigarette smoke damage the cells
and every organ of the body.
Some of these effects may
happen immediately and
others may take longer to
occur.
Chemicals in Cigarette Description Effects
Reaches the brain 10 to 15 seconds after
It is chemical compound found in inhalation; leads to vomiting, seizures,
Nicotine (also found in bug sprays) tobacco which is a potent depression of the CNS (central nervous
stimulant. system), growth retardation; undermines a
fetus's proper development.
Decreases muscle and heart function; causes
Carbon Monoxide (also found in car It is a colorless, odorless, and
fatique, weaknesses and dizziness; leads to
exhaust) tasteless poisonous gas.
coma and death if inhaled in enough amount
It is a condensable residue present With cancer - causing chemicals, 70% of it
Tar (also used to make roads)
in smoke remains in the lungs
A colorless inorganic compound
Ammonia (also found in cleaning composed of nitrogen and
Causes asthma; raises blood pressure
products) hydrogen, usually in gaseous form
and pungent odor.
Formaldehyde (also used to preserve It is a colorless, flammable gas Causes nasal cancer; damages the
dead bodies) with strong odor digestive system, skin, and lungs
Chemicals in Cigarette Description Effects
Causes headache, dizziness, vomiting,
Hydrogen cyanide (also used in gas It is a colorless, highly poisonous
irregular heartbeat, seizures, and even
chamber poison) chemical compound.
rapid death.
Acetone (also found in nail polish It is a colorless, flammable organic Irritates the eyes, nose, and throat;
remover) solvent damages liver and kidneys
Carcinogen; damages the brain, kidneys,
Cadmium (used in batteries) It is a toxic heavy metal.
and liver.
WHAT ARE THE
SHORT AND LONG -
TERM EFFECTS OF
SMOKING ?
Body Parts Short - term Effects Long - term Effects
Hair Smelly hair Hair loss
Head Headache, dizziness
Cataract and blindness
Eyes
Night vision
Ears Mild to moderate hearing loss
Gum disease leading to tooth loss
Halitosis (bad breath), Stained
Mouth
teeth, mouth sores Increased risk for mouth and
throat cancer
Body Parts Short - term Effects Long - term Effects
Dryness
Skin Discoloration and wrinkles
Dull and gray skin tone
Shortness of breath Chronic coughs
Lungs Asthma attacks Emphysema
More coughs and colds Lung cancer
Heart diseases
Increased heart rate and
Heart
blood pressure
Heart attack
Stomach Hyperacidity Ulcers
Body Parts Short - term Effects Long - term Effects
Reproductive
Infertility and impotence
organs
Muscles More muscle aches and pains Muscle deterioration
Osteoporosis
Bones
Loss of bone density
Immune system Weakened immune system
WHAT IS MAINSTREAM SMOKE ?
is the smoke that is inhaled into
smoker's mouth and lungs. Toxic
ingredients enter the body directly in the
mouth.
SECOND - HAND SMOKE
is also called Environment Tobacco
Smoke (ETS). It is the mixture of
the smoke coming from the
burning end of a cigarette and the
smoke exhaled by the smoker.
Second - hand smoke is more harmful because the smoke
is not filtered unlike the one coming from the other end of
the cigarettes
Second - hand smoke causes diseases in children and
adults who do not smoke.
THIRD - HAND SMOKE
is the residue from cigarette
smoke found in clothes,
furniture, and other surfaces
after the cigarette has been
put out.
Chemicals found in third - hand smoke may react
with indoor pollutants and produce toxic
compounds.
What are the impacts
of cigarette smoking
on the family,
environment, and
community ?
On the Family
If you choose to smoke, you are
not only risking your health but
the health of your family as
well.
On the Environment
Smoking has destructive effects on the
environment which include:
air pollution
littering caused by cigarettes butts
death of aquatic - organisms
through ingestion of cigarette butts
fires caused by discarded lighted
cigarettes
On the Community
Smoking in public in your
community exposes the nonsmokers,
especially the infants and children,
to the harmful effects of second-
hand and third-hand smoke.
For your information...
E - cigarettes, vapes pens, hookahs, hookah pens, or
vape pipes are electronic devices that aim to substitute
tobacco cigarette.
WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
Alcohol is an intoxicating substance produced by
fermentation of grains and fruits.
Alcohol is a depressant that slows down body
functions such as movement, speech, reaction time,
and thinking ability.
Ethyl alcohol is the only kind of alcohol used in
beverages.
The type of alcoholic beverages depends on the type
of fruit or grain used in fermentation and the amount
of alcohol present.
What are the reasons for
drinking and not drinking
alcohol ?
Here are some of the reasons for
drinking alcohol:
Peer pressure - People
try alcohol when they
are in social setting
where everyone else is
drink
Stress relief - Alcohol provides the
temporary illusion that problems
have disappeared when in fact, they
have just been temporarily put on
hold.
To lose one's inhibitions -
Alcohol provides the courage to
take on difficult tasks.
Curiosity - People are curious to
find out what it feels to consume
alcohol.
Socialization - Alcohol is
often served during social
gatherings
Psychoactive effects -
Alcohol provides sense of relief
and detachment from reality.
Modeled by others-
Alcohol drinking is
sometimes influenced by
parents and older people.
Here are some of the reasons why
people do not drink alcohol:
Religion - People abstain from
alcohol drinking because of religious
beliefs.
Avoiding dependency and
addiction - People who have had
bad experience from home will
avoid alcohol drinking.
Pregnancy - Drinking during
pregnancy increases the risk of
miscarriage, stillbirth, and
premature birth.
Taking medications for mental
health problems - People taking
sedatives or antidepressants
should avoid alcohol.
Taking medications for long -
term conditions - Alcohol
decreases the effect of maintenance
drugs for diabetes and circulatory
problems.
Intolerance to alcohol - Some
people have abnormal or
allergic reactions when drinking
alcohol
NEGATIVE HEALTH IMPACTS OF
DRINKING ALCOHOL
Alcohol affects every organ in the body, especially
the central nervous system. It is easily absorbed
into the bloodstream.
How alcohol affects the body depends on the
amount consumed, age, weight, and gender.
Here are the short and
long - term effects of
alcohol drinking:
SHORT - TERM EFFECTS
Slurred speech Decreased coordination
Impaired judgement Decreased perception
Distorted vision and hearing Headaches
Diarrhea
Drowsiness
Unconsciousness
Upset stomach
Breathing difficulties
Vomiting
Anemia
Blackouts (memory lapses)
LONG - TERM EFFECTS
Brain
- reduction in size of brain cells
- permanent brain damage
Heart
- weakens heart muscle causing cardiomyopathy
- arrhythmia
- stroke
- high blodd pressure
Liver
Pancreas
- fatty liver diseases
- pancreatitis
- alcoholic hepatitis
- fibrosis
- cirrhosis
Increases risks for cancer of the:
- mouth
- esophagus
- throat
- liver
- breast
Impact of
Drinking Alcohol
on the Family
and Community
On the Family
Alcohol dependency and addiction affect not only the
person who has the drinking problem, but also the family
members surrounding him or her.
This condition may turn to domestic violence and verbal or
physical abuse.
The effects of alcoholism on the family cause
more damage and pain than any other
external or environmental influence.
On the Community
The effects of alcoholism are not limited to the alcoholic
and his or her family. The damaging effects are also felt
in the community he or she belongs to.
Aside from the negative effects of alcohol to
your health, the impact of alcohol to the
family and to the community is also mostly
negative or undesirable.
Strategies in the
Prevention and
Control of Cigarette
Smoking and
Drinking Alcoholic
Beverages
The development of Resistance Skills
can help an individual resist
temptations or pressure. Resistance
Skills are skills that help you resist
pressure from peers, friends, family,
and even from yourself.
Here are suggestive ways for effectively refusing
negative pressure:
1. Say "NO" assertively.
2. Give reasons for saying "NO"
3. Repeat saying "NO" several times
4. Use nonverbal behavior to match verbal
behavior.
5. Avoid situations where you will be pressured into
making wrong decisions
6. Avoid people who make wrong decisions.
7. Resist pressure to engage in illegal activities such
as drug pushing and snatching.
What are the
healthful alternatives
to cigarettes and
alcohol that promote
healthy lifestyle ?
1. Discover, explore and enhance your talents.
2. Look for and try a new and challenging
hobby.
3. Start an organization with people of the
same interest.
4. Participate in charitable works or activities
that may help others.
WHAT IS MARIJUANA?
also called weed, herb, pot, grass,
bud, ganja, Mary Jane. Marijuana
can also be used to brew tea and,
particularly when it is sold or
consumed for medicinal purposes,
is frequently mixed into foods
(edibles) such as brownies, cookies,
or candies.
The main psychoactive(mind-
altering) chemical in marijuana,
responsible for most of the
intoxicating effects that people
seek, is delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The
chemical is found in resin produced
by the leaves and buds primarily of
the female cannabis plant.
Though many states have
legalized it for various uses,
marijuana carries is a high-risk.
Over time, it becomes less
potent and effective, leading
some people to use other, more
dangerous drugs.
MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL USE
Chronic pain
Cancer
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Anxiety
AIDS
Insomia
Multiple sclerosis
