THE EFFECTS AND SOLUTIONS OF DRUGS/SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Subject: Social Studies

Teacher: Mrs. Oxley
Class: Form 2-3
Group Members: Zaia Hunte
Kofi Maloney
Renico Briggs
Hassan Hazel-Grant
Reuben Catwell
Falisa Hall
Introduction and Definition
Renico Briggs

This project is about the causes and effects and solutions of drug and substance abuse. Drug

abuse is the over use of chemical substances that increases problems to your body.
Images of Drug and Substance Abuse
Renico Briggs & Zaia Hunte
Causes of Drug and Substance Abuse
Reuben Catwell
Effects of Drug and Substance Abuse
Falisa Hall

Drug abuse changes the way people feel think and behave. Different drugs, because of how

they are made up, can affect the body in different ways. In fact, some drugs can even change a

person’s body and brain permanently.

Drugs can enter the body in a number of ways that is by injection, inhalation and indigestion.

The method of how it enters the body impacts on how the drug affects the person. For example

drugs taken via injection goes directly in to the blood stream providing almost immediate

effects while drugs taken by mouth passes through the digestive system delaying its effects.

Five effects of drug and substance abuse are:

 Health Problems: The impact of drug abuse can affect almost every organ in the human

body. According to www.recovergateway.org drug use can weaken the immune system.

This causes the user to catch sicknesses or diseases quickly. Drug abuse can also cause

the liver to have to work harder. This can cause significant damage or liver failure. A

person’s everyday life can also be affected. The abuse can cause strokes, seizures,

memory loss and poor decision-making.

 Effects on the Brain: Modules in Social Studies outlines a number of effects which can

affect the brain due to drug or substance abuse. These include, loss of coordination or

concentration. It also affect one’s judgement. Drug abuse can also interfere with the

way brain cells communicate with each other.

  Behavioural Problems: When a person is abusing drugs they can lose control of

themselves. Loss of self-control can lead to aggressiveness, hallucination and paranoia.

 Birth Defects: This speaks directly to pregnant women unborn babies and pregnant

women are both at risk. Drugs can cause a baby to be born too small or too soon. Babies

can also have withdrawal symptoms, physical disabilities or learning and behavioural

problems.

 Social Problems: Addiction is hard to hide and will affect almost every aspect of the

addict’s life socially. Substance abuse can cause job loss, relationship changes between

friends and family, divorce and a loss of interest in hobbies and life events.

These are some of the effects of drug and substance abuse. There are no positive effects from

drug abuse to the individual socially, mentally or physically.

Solutions to Stopping Drug/Substance Abuse
Zaia Hunte

Some solutions to stopping Drug/Substance Abuse are:

1. Education programmes given to primary and tertiary schools on the dangers of drugs

2. Advertisements during the CBC Evening News and also on any Social Media,

encouraging people to ‘Say No to Drugs’

3. Rehabilitation institution such as Alcoholic Anonymous given to the user of drugs

4. Laws with severe penalties for possession of or the trafficking of drugs

5. Juveniles are prohibited by law from being sold legal drugs or alcohol

6. Compulsory warning about the dangers of smoking drugs or cigarettes

Conclusion
Hassan Hazel-Grant
References

Modules of Social Studies with SBA Guide and CXC Questions by Rampersad Ramsawak and
Ralmp Umraw
www.recovergateway.org
www.drugabuse.gov
www.summitbehaviouralhealth.com