Community: Ofuoma
Community
Community
Venue: Ofuoma
Community Town Hall
Community Town Hall
Date: 1st
– 2nd November 2015 (3:00 – 5:00 p.m. daily)
– 2nd November 2015 (3:00 – 5:00 p.m. daily)
Duration: 4 hours
(2 hours daily)
(2 hours daily)
Target Audience: Youths
and adults aged 13 – 50 years
and adults aged 13 – 50 years
Method: Seminar
presentation, group interaction and drama presentation.
presentation, group interaction and drama presentation.
Materials /Resources Required: Trainers, facilitators, audio-visual aids such
as loud speakers, microphones, projector, computer, flyers, posters, etc.
as loud speakers, microphones, projector, computer, flyers, posters, etc.
Programme Objective
The objective
of this programme is to evaluate the use, misuse, abuse, and diversion of
prescription psychoactive medications such as the opioids, stimulants, anti-psychotics,
etc. and towards a society free from tobacco use through the creation of
awareness on the implication of drug abuse and make recommendations on
effective way to controlled drug abuse and tobacco usage in the society.
of this programme is to evaluate the use, misuse, abuse, and diversion of
prescription psychoactive medications such as the opioids, stimulants, anti-psychotics,
etc. and towards a society free from tobacco use through the creation of
awareness on the implication of drug abuse and make recommendations on
effective way to controlled drug abuse and tobacco usage in the society.
Background
Definition of Psychoactive Drugs
A
psychoactive drug is a chemical
substance
that changes brain function and results in changes of mood or consciousness. These substances may be used recreationally, to purposefully alter one’s consciousness. Some
categories of psychoactive drugs, which are prescription
medicines,
have medical therapeutic utility, such as anaesthetics, analgesics, hormonal preparations, anticonvulsant drugs or for the treatment of neuro-psychiatric disorders, and some stimulant medications used for sleep disorders. There are
also some psychoactive substances used in rehabilitation programs for
psychoactive drug users.
psychoactive drug is a chemical
substance
that changes brain function and results in changes of mood or consciousness. These substances may be used recreationally, to purposefully alter one’s consciousness. Some
categories of psychoactive drugs, which are prescription
medicines,
have medical therapeutic utility, such as anaesthetics, analgesics, hormonal preparations, anticonvulsant drugs or for the treatment of neuro-psychiatric disorders, and some stimulant medications used for sleep disorders. There are
also some psychoactive substances used in rehabilitation programs for
psychoactive drug users.
Psychoactive
substances often bring about changes in consciousness and mood that the user
may find rewarding and pleasant or advantageous (e.g. increased alertness) and
are thus reinforcing. Substances which are both rewarding and positively
reinforcing have the potential to induce a state of addiction when used consistently in excess. In
addition, sustained use of some substances may produce a physical
dependence or psychological
dependence syndrome associated with somatic or psychological-emotional withdrawal
states respectively. Psychoactive drugs are substances that can alter the
consciousness, mood, and thoughts of those who use them. Examples include
tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, opioids, etc.
substances often bring about changes in consciousness and mood that the user
may find rewarding and pleasant or advantageous (e.g. increased alertness) and
are thus reinforcing. Substances which are both rewarding and positively
reinforcing have the potential to induce a state of addiction when used consistently in excess. In
addition, sustained use of some substances may produce a physical
dependence or psychological
dependence syndrome associated with somatic or psychological-emotional withdrawal
states respectively. Psychoactive drugs are substances that can alter the
consciousness, mood, and thoughts of those who use them. Examples include
tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, opioids, etc.
Impact of Psychoactive Drugs
·
Drugs that are
psychoactive, such as cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, opioid and heroin, have the
ability to affect an individual’s mood. They can arouse certain emotions or
dampen down others. This may be why people use them. The changes in mood or
behaviour caused by drugs are the result of changes in the brain. This means
that psychoactive drugs control the functioning of the brain.
Drugs that are
psychoactive, such as cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, opioid and heroin, have the
ability to affect an individual’s mood. They can arouse certain emotions or
dampen down others. This may be why people use them. The changes in mood or
behaviour caused by drugs are the result of changes in the brain. This means
that psychoactive drugs control the functioning of the brain.
·
Drugs interfere with the
chemicals in your brain. This affects the messages those chemicals are trying
to send. This greatly impacts both the short-term and long-term mental health
capabilities.
Drugs interfere with the
chemicals in your brain. This affects the messages those chemicals are trying
to send. This greatly impacts both the short-term and long-term mental health
capabilities.
·
The short-term impact may
well be something and individual enjoys, it may also have unwanted short-term
drug-induced side effects, such as acting or feeling strange.
The short-term impact may
well be something and individual enjoys, it may also have unwanted short-term
drug-induced side effects, such as acting or feeling strange.
·
Psychoactive drugs can
permanently disrupt a chemical balance in an individual’s brain.
Psychoactive drugs can
permanently disrupt a chemical balance in an individual’s brain.
·
Psychoactive drugs are
associated with an increase of death of a wide variety of disorders in which
cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, and cancer are dominant presently
illness, it causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is one of the
most important cause of morbidity in the world.
Psychoactive drugs are
associated with an increase of death of a wide variety of disorders in which
cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, and cancer are dominant presently
illness, it causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is one of the
most important cause of morbidity in the world.
·
Excessive use of
psychoactive drugs such as smoking tobacco has been linked to coronary heart
disease.
Excessive use of
psychoactive drugs such as smoking tobacco has been linked to coronary heart
disease.
·
Psychoactive drug users
face risk of high blood pressure, vascular disease, intravascular coagulation
and hypertension.
Psychoactive drug users
face risk of high blood pressure, vascular disease, intravascular coagulation
and hypertension.
Responsible Use of Alcohol
and towards a Society free from Tobacco
and towards a Society free from Tobacco
In order to have a society with responsible use of
alcohol and a society free from tobacco, measures to be put in place include:
alcohol and a society free from tobacco, measures to be put in place include:
·
Family
based prevention programmes
Family
based prevention programmes
·
School
based prevention programmes
School
based prevention programmes
·
Community
preventing programmes
Community
preventing programmes
Family Based Prevention Programs
Prevention programs can
strengthen protective factors among young children by teaching parents better
family communication skills, appropriate discipline styles, firm and consistent
rule enforcement, and other family management approaches. Research confirms the
benefits of parents providing consistent rules and discipline, talking to
children about drugs, monitoring their activities, getting to know their
friends, understanding their problems and concerns, and being involved in their
learning. The importance of the parent-child relationship continues through
adolescence and beyond, since early use of alcohol and other substances may
cause serious health problems.
strengthen protective factors among young children by teaching parents better
family communication skills, appropriate discipline styles, firm and consistent
rule enforcement, and other family management approaches. Research confirms the
benefits of parents providing consistent rules and discipline, talking to
children about drugs, monitoring their activities, getting to know their
friends, understanding their problems and concerns, and being involved in their
learning. The importance of the parent-child relationship continues through
adolescence and beyond, since early use of alcohol and other substances may
cause serious health problems.
School-based prevention programs
Drama based education to motivate participation in
substance abuse prevention. There are a number of community-based prevention
programs and classes that aim to educate children and families about the harms
of substance abuse. Schools should introduce substance abuse oriented classes
for their students in grades as low as preschool. The inclusion of prevention
studies into classroom curriculums at a young age have been shown to help to
break early behaviours that could be signs drug abuse in the future. These
programmes should include educating, advocating, and collaboration programmes
to reduce drug and alcohol problems. Some programs may begin by allowing
students to be interactive and learn skills such as how to refuse drugs. This
is proven to be a more effective method than strictly educational or
non-interactive ones. When direct influences (e.g., peers) and indirect
influences (e.g., media influence) are addressed, the programme is better able
to cover broad social influences that most programs do not consider.
substance abuse prevention. There are a number of community-based prevention
programs and classes that aim to educate children and families about the harms
of substance abuse. Schools should introduce substance abuse oriented classes
for their students in grades as low as preschool. The inclusion of prevention
studies into classroom curriculums at a young age have been shown to help to
break early behaviours that could be signs drug abuse in the future. These
programmes should include educating, advocating, and collaboration programmes
to reduce drug and alcohol problems. Some programs may begin by allowing
students to be interactive and learn skills such as how to refuse drugs. This
is proven to be a more effective method than strictly educational or
non-interactive ones. When direct influences (e.g., peers) and indirect
influences (e.g., media influence) are addressed, the programme is better able
to cover broad social influences that most programs do not consider.
Programmes that encourage a social commitment to
abstaining from drugs show lower rates of drug use. Getting the community
outside of the school to participate and also using peer leaders to facilitate
the interactions tend to be an effective facet of these programs. Lastly,
teaching youth and adolescents skills that increase resistance skills in social
situations may increase protective factors.
abstaining from drugs show lower rates of drug use. Getting the community
outside of the school to participate and also using peer leaders to facilitate
the interactions tend to be an effective facet of these programs. Lastly,
teaching youth and adolescents skills that increase resistance skills in social
situations may increase protective factors.
Community Preventing Programmes
Prevention programmes work at the community level
with civic, religious, law enforcement, and other government organizations to
enhance anti-drug norms and pro-social behaviours. Many programmes can be
implemented to help with prevention efforts across settings to help send
messages through school, work, religious institutions, and the media.
Community-based programs also typically include development of policies or
enforcement of regulations, mass media efforts, and community-wide awareness
programmes.
with civic, religious, law enforcement, and other government organizations to
enhance anti-drug norms and pro-social behaviours. Many programmes can be
implemented to help with prevention efforts across settings to help send
messages through school, work, religious institutions, and the media.
Community-based programs also typically include development of policies or
enforcement of regulations, mass media efforts, and community-wide awareness
programmes.
Evaluation
Group discussion on the topic under consideration
based on some formulated questions and brain storming sessions, which include
question such as:
based on some formulated questions and brain storming sessions, which include
question such as:
1.
What are psychoactive drugs?
What are psychoactive drugs?
2.
List some examples of some
psychoactive drugs in the community.
List some examples of some
psychoactive drugs in the community.
3.
What are the impacts of
psychoactive drugs among people in the community?
What are the impacts of
psychoactive drugs among people in the community?
4.
What are the possible measures to
combat abuse of psychoactive drugs?
What are the possible measures to
combat abuse of psychoactive drugs?
References
Dworkin, R. (2006). Artificial Happiness. New York: Carroll &
Graf.
Graf.
Edwards,
G. (2005). Matters of Substance: Drugs–and Why Everyone’s a User. London: Thomas
Dunne Books.
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Dunne Books.
Merlin,
M. D. (2003). “Archaeological Evidence for the Tradition of Psychoactive
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M. D. (2003). “Archaeological Evidence for the Tradition of Psychoactive
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Nelson,
M. (2005). The Barbarian’s Beverage: A History of Beer in Ancient Europe. Abingdon,
Oxon: Routledge.
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R. K. (2005). Intoxication: The Universal Drive for Mind-Altering Substances. Rochester,
Vermont: Park Street Press.
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Vermont: Park Street Press.
Weil,
A. (2004). The Natural Mind: A Revolutionary Approach to the Drug Problem
(Revised edition). Dublin: Houghton Mifflin.
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(Revised edition). Dublin: Houghton Mifflin.
Vetulani,
J. (2001). “Drug addiction. Part I. Psychoactive substances in the past
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