PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION (PHE)
TOPIC: DRUG ABUSE
CLASS: GRADE 5
CLASS NOTE
What is a Drug?
A drug is any chemical substance that changes the way the body or mind works. When used correctly under a doctor’s guide, drugs are called medicines and they help heal us from sickness.
What is Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse is the wrong or excessive use of any drug. It means taking drugs without a doctor’s prescription (self-medication), taking more than the recommended dose, or using illegal substances to get "high" or escape reality. Drug abuse is highly dangerous and can damage vital organs like the brain, liver, and lungs.
Types of Abused Drugs
Abused drugs can be grouped into three main categories:
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Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs:
These are medicines meant to cure sickness but are used wrongly.
- Examples: Painkillers (like Paracetamol or Tramadol), cough syrups (containing codeine), and sleeping pills.
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Socially Acceptable/Legal Drugs:
These are substances that are legal for adults to buy but are harmful when abused, especially by growing children.
- Examples: Alcohol (beer, local gin/ogogoro, palm wine), tobacco (cigarettes), and caffeine (found in energy drinks, coffee, and kola nuts).
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Illegal Drugs:
These are banned by the government because they are extremely dangerous to health and lead to crime.
- Examples: Indian hemp (marijuana/igbo), cocaine, heroin, and sniffing harmful chemicals like glue or petrol.
Reasons for Drug Abuse
People, especially young ones, abuse drugs for several reasons:
- Peer Pressure: The desire to fit in, look "cool," or please friends who are already abusing drugs.
- Curiosity: The temptation to experiment and find out how a drug tastes or feels.
- Ignorance: Many people abuse drugs because they do not know the dangerous health consequences.
- Stress and Pain Relief: Some use drugs to escape sadness, family problems, academic failure, or physical pain instead of seeking proper help.
- Encouragement from Media: Seeing actors or musicians smoke, drink, or use drugs in music videos and movies can make drug abuse look attractive.
(Word count for the main note: ~380 words)
SUMMARY
- A drug is a chemical that changes body function, while drug abuse is using drugs wrongly or without a doctor’s prescription.
- Abused drugs include prescription medicines (cough syrup), legal social drugs (alcohol, cigarettes), and illegal drugs (marijuana).
- People abuse drugs due to peer pressure, curiosity, ignorance, stress, or influence from media.
CLASSWORK
- Define Drug Abuse in your own words.
- State two (2) examples of socially acceptable drugs that are commonly abused.
- List three (3) reasons why young people abuse drugs.
- Mention one danger of taking medicines without a doctor's prescription.
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