Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 71 METH (continued) or scratching to the point of causing sores. Longer-term effects can include increased heart rate and blood pressure, damage to blood vessels in the brain, stroke, and even death. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years even after the user has stopped taking the drug. Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating, and depression-like symptoms, often accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving. 1. Canadian Centre on Substance use and Addiction 2020 2. CAMH: https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-andaddiction-index/methamphetamines PRESCRIPTION DRUGS Some young people think that prescription medications are safe to use – even without a prescription. Kids may have easy access to prescription or over-the-counter medications in their own homes that could pose a serious risk to their health. Below are the details of the most commonly prescribed medications in Canada: Opioids/ Painkillers Opioid drugs act by effectively changing the way a person experiences pain. Commonly referred to as painkillers, Opioids are drugs that contain opium or are derived from and imitate opium. They are prescribed for pain relief and are only available by prescription. Most opioid or painkilling drug prescriptions are non-refillable and, when used properly under a medical doctor’s supervision, are safe and effective. Morphine derivatives, or narcotics, come from opioids and are used to therapeutically treat pain, suppress coughing, alleviate diarrhea, and induce anesthesia. When using these narcotics, people who use experience a general sense of well-being by reduced tension, anxiety, and aggression. Although painkillers have different potencies and are taken in different ways, when they are used incorrectly they all pose a risk for addiction and other serious effects. ILLEGAL DRUGS Illegal drug use causes serious harm. Illegal drugs can be harmful for anyone, but they are particularly hazardous for young people whose brains and bodies are still developing. 60% of those who use illegal drugs are 15 to 24 years old. Early drug use sets in motion a pattern of behaviour that can result in destructive personal and social consequences. Source – CCSA – Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction – A Drug Prevention Strategy for Canada’s Youth What makes a drug illegal? Drugs are illegal if the government has included them in their laws on controlled substances. Why are illegal drugs so dangerous? When people talk about the “opioid or drug crisis” they usually mean illegal or street drugs. It’s not safe for anyone to take illegal drugs because, depending on the drug, they can have negative or unexpected effects on the mind and body – and some of them can be the cause of accidental or fatal overdose. Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. They can affect our emotions and the way we feel, they may cause people to do things they wouldn’t normally do. While using drugs, a person is less able to do well in school, sports, and other activities. It’s often continued
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