Category: Substance abuse and addictions

by Stephen Arterburn and Jim Burns

Alcohol is a dangerous drug even though our society mistakenly views it as separate from other drugs. Some parents are actually relieved to discover their kids are “only” drinking and not smoking pot or swallowing pills. But alcohol is a drug and a depressant, and it causes more deaths among young people than any other drug.

by Phumulo Masualle
July 30, 2017

The link between substance abuse and violence cannot be underestimated. Police Minister Fikile Mbalula reported recently that children who abuse drugs were being used to fuel tensions and carry out violence in volatile communities.

by DrugFacts

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a prescription drug that is also made and used illegally.

by drugfreeworld.org

Inhalants” refers to the vapors from toxic substances which are inhaled to reach a quick high. Of more than 1,000 household and other common products that could be abused as inhalants, most often used are shoe polish, glue, toluene, gasoline, lighter fluid etc.

by drugfreeworld.org

Drinking is more harmful to teens than adults because their brains are still developing throughout adolescence and well into young adulthood. Drinking during this critical growth period can lead to lifelong damage in brain function, particularly as it relates to memory, motor skills and coordination.

by drugfreeworld.org

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal  drug in the world. A survey conducted in 2015 found that 30 million individuals in the US alone had smoked marijuana at least once during the previous month.

by Dr. Sanjay Gupta
June 2, 2016

There is no other medication routinely used for a nonfatal condition that kills patients so frequently. The majority of those deaths result from prescription opioid medications, such as hydrocodone, OxyContin and Percocet.It is so common that specialists even have a profile for the most typical victim: non-Hispanic Caucasian male, mid 30s. Initial diagnosis: back  pain due to trauma, surgery or degenerative arthritis.

by Drugfreeworld

The chemicals used in designer drugs are not known and have dangerous toxic effects.  It can cause violent behavior, heart attacks, strokes and death.

by NIDA for teens
Updated June 24, 2016

Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes a medication that was prescribed for someone else or takes their own prescription in a way not intended by a doctor or for a different reason – like to get high. It has become a big health issue because of the dangers, particularly the danger of abusing prescription pain medications. For teens, it is a growing problem.

by National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
May, 2014

Some over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription cough and cold medicines contain active ingredients that are psychoactive (mind-altering) at higher-than-recommended dosages and are frequently abused for this purpose. These products may also contain other drugs, such as expectorants and antihistamines, which are dangerous at high doses and compound the dangers of abuse.