Teen Health Course 3

Chapter 14: Drugs

Student Web Activities - Teacher Content

1. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.



2. The short term effects of marijuana use include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problem-solving, loss of coordination, and increased heart rate, anxiety, panic attacks.



3. THC disrupts the nerve cells in the part of the brain where short- term memories are formed. Over time, marijuana use can affect mental functions.



4. Long-term marijuana use can lead to some kinds of cancer and problems with the respiratory, immune, and reproductive systems.

Below are some additional resources on marijuana that can be useful in compiling information or creating an anti-marijuana campaign. You might also want to discuss some of the pros and cons of using marijuana for medical purposes.

1. NIDA: http://www.nida.nih.gov/
2. Kids Growth: http://www.kidsgrowth.com/resources/articledetail.cfm?id=374
3. FreeVibe http://www.whatsyourantidrug.com/
4. SADD Resources http://www.sadd.org/links.htm

1. Long-term use of inhalants can slow or stop nerve cell activity in the parts of the brain that control complex problem-solving and planning ahead, movement and coordination, and memory.



2. Butane makes the heart extra sensitive to noradrenalin, a chemical that carries messages from the nervous system to the heart. This chemical causes the heart to beat faster in a stressful situation. If the heart becomes too sensitive to noradrenalin, a normal amount of it may cause the heart to temporarily lose its rhythm and stop pumping blood through the body.



3. Hallucinogens cause people to have imagined experiences that seem real. Since hallucinogens affect the way the five senses work, people who use these drugs may have a hard time concentrating, communicating, or telling the difference between reality and illusion.



4. LSD causes its effects mainly by activating one type of receptor for serotonin .



5. Ecstasy is a synthetic stimulant that can cause muscle tension, clenching of teeth, nausea, blurred vision, fainting, and chills or sweating, as well as increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Below are some additional resources on the wide range of illegal drugs that teens should know about.

1. NIDA: http://www.nida.nih.gov/
2. Free Vibe: http://www.freevibe.com/
3. American Council for Drug Education: http://www.acde.org/youth/Default.htm
4. Drug Free Arizona : http://www.drugfreeaz.com/audience/teens.html
5. DARE: http://www.dare.com/home/default.asp