Subjects: Health

Encourages students to add their personal insights to the body of knowledge gained from this course. Students debate such topics as the importance of “context” in understanding and treating drug-use behavior, the social concerns that affect use and treatment, and the issues involved in the legalization of a substance.

Focuses primarily on barbiturates and benzodiazepines. Students learn how sedative-hypnotics drugs reduce CNS (Central Nervous System) activity, despite their differing chemical origins. The lesson explains how use of these drugs can progress from simple relaxation (sedation) at low doses to coma and death in higher doses. Discussion also uncovers how these drugs, normally used to induce lethargy, can induce unexpected behaviors due to loss of inhibition.

Discusses the use of drugs for the treatment of temporary and long-term mental illness. The lesson explores the extent of mental illness in society (as high as 25%) and the medical treatments that may be used to treat them. Students discuss accepted drug use in the treatment of transient periods of mental illness (depression, anxiety, and disorientation/confusion) as well as commonplace drug treatments for chronic/acute mental illness. A variety of related issues affecting individuals, families, mental health professionals, and society in general are discussed.

Examines the common uses and abuses of ethyl alcohol. Students review various types of alcohol-containing beverages, the pharmacological properties of alcohol, and the effects of alcohol use on both the individual consumer and society as a whole. The lesson concludes with a brief discussion of alcoholism as a disease.

Discusses the history and pharmacological effects of tobacco use. This lesson reviews the history of tobacco preparation and usage, the pharmacology of nicotine, and the changing social values related to tobacco use. The lesson concludes with a brief discussion of nicotine addiction and treatment.

Reviews the history, pharmacological properties, and effects of caffeine products. Discussion examines how this psychoactive drug is habitually perceived as a mild stimulant as opposed to an actual drug. Discussion uncovers how caffeine is restricted more by supply and demand than regulation, and students compare how the social status of caffeine contrasts dramatically with that of alcohol and tobacco. The lesson concludes with a discussion of concerns related to caffeine use.

Discusses the origins of OTC (Over-the-Counter) drugs and examines how their psychoactive properties go unnoticed by consumers. Students explore the properties of a wide range of OTC’s, including stimulants, diet pills, sleep aids, analgesics, and cold/allergy products. Discussion touches on the interplay between OTC drug use (dictated by changing consumer demands) and FDA regulations (dictated by concerns for safety and effectiveness). Discussion also examines how new psychoactive products are developed and what distinctions determine the difference between OTC and prescription drug status.