9

Chapter

Drugs
Drugs are substances that affect the way our bodies work.
Some people abuse drugs and this can be harmful to their
health. Drug abuse is a serious problem because the
consequences affect drug users as well as their families. For
these reasons, the government has classified certain drugs as
‘controlled drugs’, and abusing and/or selling them is illegal.
In spite of this, drug abuse continues to be a problem.

Firman Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala

Tafsirnya:
Sesungguhnya syaitan itu mahu
menimbulkan permusuhan dan
kebencian di antara kamu dengan
sebab (meminum) arak dan (bermain)
judi dan menghalangi kamu daripada
mengingati Allah dan mengerjakan
sembahyang, maka tidakkah kamu
mahu berhenti (daripada melakukan
perbuatan keji itu)? (91)

Shaitan (Satan) wants only to incite

enmity and hatred between you with
intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and
gambling; and to hinder you from
the remembrance of Allah and from
As-Salat (the prayer). So, will you not
then abstain? (91)

(Surah Al-Maidah: 91)

Let’s Explore
• What is a drug?
• Which drugs are useful to us?
• Which drugs are harmful to us?
• What are the consequences of
abusing drugs?

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 9.1 The Uses and
Abuses of Drugs
You should be able to:
• state the definition of drugs as any substance which,
when taken into the body, affects the way the body and
the brain work;
• describe some uses of drugs;
• list some commonly abused drugs – heroin, cannabis,
methylamphetamine and alcohol;
• list some signs and symptoms shown by a person
addicted to:
i) heroin,
ii) cannabis,
iii) methylamphetamine, and
iv) alcohol.

What is a drug?
A drug is any substance which, when taken into the body,
affects the way the body and the brain work.

A drug may be beneficial to the body or harmful to it

depending on how we use it. Drugs can be used in many
ways. A common example of a drug is caffeine. It is present
in tea, coffee, chocolates and some soft drinks.

Medicine Alcohol Coffee

Examples of drugs around us

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 Medicinal drugs
Medicinal drugs are drugs normally prescribed by a
doctor. They are used to prevent or cure diseases. They
can also be used during surgery and to relieve pain.
Antibiotics, painkillers and anaesthetics are examples of
medicinal drugs.

Various medicinal drugs

Antibiotics
Antibiotics are chemicals that are widely used to treat
many infectious diseases caused by bacteria. Diseases
such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and cholera are treated Science Smart
using antibiotics.

cillin
Peni

Penicillin is a prescribed antibiotic. In 1928, Sir

Alexander Fleming
It is important to complete the course of antibiotics observed that the
prescribed by your doctor, even though you feel better. This bacteria he was
ensures that all the infection-causing bacteria are killed. If cultivating on an
these bacteria are not killed, they may become resistant to agar plate could be
the antibiotics. This can cause you to fall ill again. killed by the mould
Penicillium notatum.
This led to his
Antibiotics are not used to treat diseases such as colds and
discovery of the fi rst
infl uenza, which are caused by viruses. If your doctor prescribes antibiotic, Penicillin.
antibiotics when you have a cold or infl uenza, it is to prevent
a secondary bacterial infection.

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 Painkillers
Painkillers are also known as analgesics. These drugs relieve
pain without causing numbness or affecting consciousness.
Common examples are paracetamol and aspirin. Aspirin is a
stronger painkiller and should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Paracetamol relieves minor pain and

reduces fever.

Anaesthetics
Anaesthetics are drugs that cause temporary loss of sensation,
making the body unable to feel pain. They are often used
in surgeries. Cocaine was the fi rst known anaesthetic that
caused a loss of sensation in the area where it was injected.

Anaesthetics administered to a patient

Nowadays, a similar compound called Novocain, is used. It is

used in dental procedures such as tooth extractions.
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 Drug abuse
Drug abuse is the excessive consumption of drugs. This is
harmful to the body and has become a very serious problem
in many countries. Some common drugs of abuse are heroin,
cannabis, methylamphetamine and alcohol.

Drug abusers can become addicted. They become dependent

on the drug and feel that they cannot function normally
without it.

Heroin
Heroin is made from the opium poppy plant.

Opium poppy plants

Heroin abuse is one of the biggest addiction problems in many

countries. It slows down the proper functioning of the nervous
and respiratory systems.

Drug abusers who are addicted to heroin display the following

signs and symptoms:
• tiredness,
• loss of appetite, and
• very quick addiction to the drug.

Heroin overdose can be fatal as it can cause failure of

the respiratory system. Heroin that is injected into the
bloodstream causes collapsed veins, liver disease and
respiratory complications.

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 Cannabis
Cannabis is also known as marijuana. It is obtained from the
leaves and fl owers of the Indian hemp plant.

Indian hemp plant

Drug users who abuse cannabis display the following signs

and symptoms:
• dry eyes and mouth,
• increased hunger,
• suffer from hallucinations – that is, they may be seeing
things that are not there, and
• appear sleepy.

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 Methylamphetamine
Methylamphetamine is one of the most commonly abused
drugs in Brunei Darussalam. It is a colourless and odourless
solid which easily dissolves in liquids such as water and alcohol.

During the 1950s, it was used to treat depression and fi ght

fatigue in World War II soldiers. However, scientists soon
discovered that methylamphetamine was harmful. Following
this discovery, it was no longer used as a medication.

Drug abusers who are addicted to methylamphetamine display

the following signs and symptoms:
• increased breathing and heart rates,
• dilated pupils, and
• loss of appetite.

Prolonged use of methylamphetamine has been linked to

mental illnesses and occasional death from heatstrokes, fi ts
or heart attacks.

Methylamphetamine crystal

Methylamphetamine is also known as ice due to its similar

appearance to ice. Locally, it is also known as syabu.

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 Alcohol
Another abused substance is alcohol. It is a depressant that
slows down brain function. Alcohol is found in many drinks such
as beer, wine and brandy. Under Islamic law, the consumption
of alcohol is considered haram.

Here are some signs and symptoms that indicate a person is

addicted to drinking. An alcoholic may display:
• slurred speech,
• blurred vision,
• clumsiness or an inability to walk steadily, and
• withdrawal symptoms when deprived of alcohol.

Drinks such as wine

contain alcohol.

Alcoholics may lose control of their lives as they become

dependent on alcohol.

Quick Check
1. Which plant does heroin come from?
2. State two effects of taking cannabis.
3. State three possible health risks from taking
methylamphetamine.
4. How does alcohol affect the brain?

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 9.2 Harmful Effects of
Drugs
You should be able to:
• explain the harmful effects of sports drugs, for example,
steroids and human growth hormones;
• state the consequences of drug abuse in relation to
addiction, crime and transmission of AIDS;
• discuss the harmful effects of excessive consumption of
alcohol (including the effects on families and society);
• show an awareness of the presence of harmful chemicals in
cigarette smoke;
• state the harmful effects of nicotine, tar and carbon
monoxide;
• explain the harmful effects of active and passive smoking;
• suggest ways of encouraging the public to refrain from
smoking.

Sports drugs
Sports drugs are substances used by people to improve
Science Smart
their performance in sports. Anabolic steroids and human Farmers often inject
growth hormones are drugs that are taken by some athletes their beef cattle
with steroids or
to build up their bodies and to enhance their performance.
growth hormones to
It helps them increase muscle mass and performance in
increase body mass.
activities like weightlifting, sprinting and other athletic events. It is thought that
these steroids and
Sports organisations ban the use of sports drugs for the hormones pass to
following reasons: humans when the
• health risks of performance-enhancing drugs, beef is eaten.
• equal opportunity for all participating athletes, and
• to portray the image of ‘clean’ sports to the public.

As with all drugs, the prolonged use of steroids and growth

hormones can have harmful side effects. Some of these
effects include:
• aggression,
• hair loss/baldness,
• acne,
• liver damage, and
• infertility.

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 Consequences of drug abuse
There are many consequences of drug abuse. It can lead to
addiction, crime, and the transmission of diseases such
as Acquired Immune Defi ciency Syndrome (AIDS).

Addiction
Drug abuse may result in addiction. Getting out of the drug
habit is diffi cult. Addicts crave the drugs, even after they
have stopped using them. They will experience withdrawal
symptoms.

Withdrawal symptoms include:

• restlessness,
• excessive sweating,
• uncontrollable shaking,
• anxiety,
• fever, and
• headaches.

Drug abuse can cause mental

illness. Drug addicts:
• are very depressed most of
the time, and
• may also suffer from
hallucinations.

A common withdrawal
symptom is anxiety.

Science Smart
How to avoid getting addicted to drugs
1. Don’t be ‘daring’ or ‘curious’ and try
drugs. Remember, there is no virtue or
esteem in using drugs.
2. If you have a particular problem, drugs
will not help you solve it. Discuss it with
friends and family.
3. Keep physically active with sports,
clubs or societies in the community
or at school.
4. Remember, drug abuse is illegal and
there are severe penalties for drug Say No to Drugs
abuse and drug traffi cking.
5. If you suspect that someone is peddling
or abusing drugs, you can contact the
Narcotics Control Bureau.

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 Continued abuse of drugs can lead to irreversible damage to
various body organs.

Drugs affect the brain and the central

nervous system. Persistent use can result
in behavioural changes and brain damage.

The brain controls the rate at which the

heart beats, so drugs that affect the brain
can lead to heart problems.

Drugs can be inhaled. This can cause lung

damage or even lung cancer.

In the process of breaking down alcohol,

liver damage may occur due to the
poisonous nature of alcohol.

Drug abuse can result in kidney failure.

The harmful effects of drugs on the body

Crime
Over time, addicts will require more and more of the drug to
achieve the same effects. Drugs are expensive and addicts
often resort to crime such as theft to obtain the money they
need to buy drugs. Their dependence on drugs could also lead
to violence towards their family members if the drug user is
prevented from obtaining drugs.

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 Transmission of diseases
Try this
Some drugs are taken through injections. Viruses, which cause
Collect newspaper diseases such as Hepatitis C and AIDS, can be passed from
clippings describing one person to another if needles are shared.
problems caused
by drug abuse.
Law on drugs
Discuss these with
your teacher and The Narcotics Control Bureau of Brunei Darussalam is
classmates. Write responsible for enforcing the Misuse of Drugs Act and any
your opinion on them relevant laws that are related to drug abuse.
and make a bulletin
board display with
these clippings.
Quick Check
What are the withdrawal symptoms of drug abuse?
WB Link Activity 9.1

Harmful effects of alcohol

Alcohol consumption has many harmful effects on the body,
Science Bites families and society.
In most countries,
police offi cers use • Effects of alcohol on the body
portable breath- When alcohol is consumed, it is broken down in the liver.
analysers to fi nd out Prolonged alcohol abuse may damage the liver. Liver failure,
if a driver’s blood if not treated in time, may eventually cause death.
alcohol level is above
• Effects of alcohol on families
the legal limit.
If people drink alcohol frequently, they can become addicted.
They may neglect their work and families. Alcohol may cause
them to become aggressive and exhibit violent behaviour
towards others.
• Effects of alcohol on society
Some alcoholics may even commit crimes to obtain the drink
they need.
Driving under the infl uence of alcohol may cause road
accidents as the driver’s judgement will be impaired. The
driver may drive faster with less caution and underestimate
the speed of the vehicle. The driver’s reaction times
are slower.

Driving under the influence of alcohol

can result in road accidents.

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 Tobacco
Tobacco is a product from the leaves of the tobacco plant. It
is dried and then used to make cigarettes.

The dried leaves of a tobacco plant

Many teenagers (and even adults) consider smoking

fashionable. However, when a person smokes, a lot of harmful
substances get into the body.

Cigarettes cause harm to various parts of

our body.

There are more than 4,000 substances in cigarettes. Some of

these substances are harmful. They can cause heart diseases
and lung cancer. Smokers may also suffer from bronchitis.
A person suffering from bronchitis will cough badly and often
have diffi culty breathing.

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 Harmful substances in cigarettes
The effects of smoking on health are serious and may even
cause death. This is due to the many harmful substances found
in tobacco. The most harmful substances found in cigarette
smoke are tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide and irritants.

Tar
It is a brown, sticky substance that builds up in the lungs
during smoking. Tar causes the following harmful effects:
• damages the cilia in the throat,
• damages the cells in the lungs – this decreases the oxygen
supply to the bloodstream, and
• causes lung cancer.

Nicotine
Nicotine is an addictive substance found in tobacco. This gives
the smoker the urge to smoke more. It causes harmful effects
such as:
• blood clotting,
• increased blood pressure,
Science Bites • headaches, and
• damage to the heart and blood vessels.

Carbon monoxide gas

It is a poisonous gas. It reduces the capacity of blood to take
in oxygen from the lungs.

Irritants
Cigarette smoke contains substances that irritate the cells
in the lungs. This causes smokers to cough. Prolonged
smoking habits can lead to a lung disease called emphysema.
This disease damages the lungs and makes the smokers
feel breathless. Irritants can also cause cancer.

Cigarette packs often

have warnings on
the consequences of
smoking printed
on them.

WB Link Activity 9.2

Smoking is harmful to our health.

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 Harmful effects of active and passive smoking
Did you know that cigarettes do not just harm smokers?
When someone smokes near you, you breathe in the harmful
substances. This is called passive smoking.

Passive smoking by pregnant women can affect the mental

and physical development of the foetus. This may lead to a
miscarriage or a stillborn child.

There are many diseases caused by active and passive smoking.

Cancer
Studies have shown that the more you smoke, the greater the
risk of getting lung cancer.

The image on the left shows the lungs of a non-smoker and

the image on the right shows the lungs of a smoker.
WB Link Activity 9.3

Smoking also increases the risk of cancers of the mouth,

throat, pancreas, kidneys and urinary bladder.

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 Chronic bronchitis
In chronic bronchitis, the cells in the main air passages to
the lungs become inflamed. Excessive mucus is secreted. This
reduces the airflow in the air passages, making breathing
difficult. The person coughs and wheezes persistently to clear
the air passage. This makes the lungs more likely to be infected
by bacteria.

Emphysema
Emphysema is commonly associated with chronic bronchitis
and smoking. The intense coughing causes the air spaces
to enlarge and decreases the surface area of the lungs.
This reduces the absorption of oxygen. An affected person
spends a lot of energy just to keep breathing and can suffer
breathlessness during exertion.

Smoking control measures in Brunei Darussalam

Brunei Darussalam has introduced measures to discourage
people from smoking. This includes observing the ‘World No
Tobacco Day’ on 31 May every year, increasing the price of
cigarettes and the prohibition of smoking in public places.
Tobacco products are tightly controlled, cigarette packets carry
health warnings and the sale of cigarettes to minors is illegal.
The Tobacco Act of Brunei Darussalam was enforced from
1 June 2005.

Ways to refrain from smoking

Here are some ways to help people stop smoking:
• Educate them on the harmful effects of smoking.
• Place health warnings on cigarette packets.
• Stop people from smoking in public places such as
restaurants, offices, lifts and on public transport. Smoking is
not allowed on all Royal Brunei Airlines flights.
• Display ‘No Smoking’ signs in public places to discourage
people from smoking.
• Stop tobacco companies from advertising, especially in
magazines and over television.
• Educate your family members and friends on the dangers
of smoking.
• Get involved in healthy activities such as sports and
community service.
‘No Smoking’ signs
are displayed in public
places to discourage
smoking.

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 Participate in sports and join clubs in school.

Take part in community activities

Quick Check
1. What do anabolic steroids do?
2. State two harmful effects of consuming too much alcohol.
3. State two harmful effects of smoking.
4. What measures is Brunei Darussalam taking to
discourage smoking?

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 Summary

Drugs

can be divided into

are

Medicinal drugs

Any substance
which, when taken
into the body, affects
the way the body Antibiotics Painkillers Anaesthetics
and brain works

For treatment Relieves pain Causes a

of bacterial without causing temporary loss
infections numbness of sensation

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 Drugs of abuse

Heroin Methylamphetamine Anabolic Cigarettes

steroids
(human growth
• Tiredness • Increased hormones) • Contain tar,
• Loss of breathing and nicotine,
appetite heart rates • Used to build carbon
• Very quick • Dilated pupils up muscle monoxide and
addiction • Loss of appetite tissue irritants
to the drug • Can be can lead to
abused as a
Cannabis Alcohol sports drug • Miscarriage or
• Causes stillborn child
increased in pregnant
• Dry eyes and • Slurred speech aggression women
mouth • Blurred vision and male • Lung cancer
• Increased • Clumsiness infertility • Cancers of
hunger • Inability to the mouth,
• Hallucinations walk steadily throat,
• Appear sleepy • Withdrawal pancreas,
addiction symptoms kidneys
leads to when deprived and urinary
• Irreversible damage of alcohol bladder
to body organs excessive • Chronic
• Crime consumption bronchitis
• Transmission of can lead to • Emphysema
diseases through • Liver damage
needle-sharing • Violence and
quarrels within
the family
• Crime

• Restlessness
• Excessive sweating
• Uncontrollable shaking withdrawal symptoms
• Anxiety
• Fever
• Headaches
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 Review Questions

1 What are medicinal drugs used for?

A To help cure illnesses
B To help you run faster
C To be accepted by others
D To escape from your problems

2 Which of these drugs comes from the tropical hemp plant?

A Heroin
B Nicotine
C Cannabis
D Methylamphetamine

3 Which of the following drugs causes hallucinations?

A Aspirin
B Caffeine
C Cannabis
D Anaesthetics

4 Which of the following diseases can be transmitted by sharing

contaminated needles?
A AIDS
B Cancer
C Diabetes
D Hypertension

5 Which of these chemical substances found in cigarettes is responsible

for the addictive effect of smoking?
A Tar
B Nicotine
C Irritants
D Carbon monoxide

6 In which of these illnesses can smoking be a contributing factor?

A Infl uenza
B Diabetes
C Lung cancer
D Kidney failure

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 7 What is a drug?

8 Name two types of medicinal drugs that you have studied and state
their uses.

9 What are the side effects of steroids?

10 State two harmful effects of:

a) using heroin.
b) smoking.

11 State three harmful effects of alcohol consumption.

12 Discuss some social problems caused by drug abuse.

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