GCSE RE Magazine

June-July 2011

Hooked– Health and Social Do the Crime, do the Time.

Religion vs Drugs

Contents: Pages 3-4 Hooked– Health problems for alcohol and drugs. By Ashleigh Halliday .

Pages 5-6 ALIK SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF ALCO HOL AND DRUGS Pages 7-9 Do the Crime, Do the Time. By Christie Wareham.

Pages 10-11 Religion Says..

Musilm Says.. By Hannah Osbourne.

Christians Says.. By Polly Rennison.

Pages 12-13 celeb drug raid.

By Olivia rennison Page 14 Get help!

Alcohol is a part of the worlds culture, with most adults and a portion of teens enjoying a drink from time to time.

But it is important to remember that alcohol is a drug, and as such it has effects. Alcohol is a depressant drug. These drugs slow down the activity of the central nervous system.

Your Daily Allowance Men = Three or Four Units Women = Two or Three Units

What Alcohol can do Physically and Mentally to you!

The effects of alcohol depend on the amount that is drunk, how familiar the person is with alcohol, the mood the person is in, how much has been eaten, the size and weight of the person, the overall health of the person, and if other drugs have been consumed (prescription or recreational). Long-term over-consumption of alcohol puts you at raised risk of a variety of health problems. You don't have to be a binge drinker or feel that you have an alcohol problem to regularly drink more than your recommended daily allowance. In small amounts alcohol can make people to become relaxed, reduces their inhibitions and enhances their confidence. In larger amounts alcohol depresses functions of the brain.

Long Term problems caused by Alcohol Cancer: After smoking, drinking alcohol is the second biggest risk factor for cancers of the mouth and throat. Women who drink more than three dinks a day increase their risk of breast cancer.

Mental Health Problems: Alcohol can cause or bring on depression. Also heavy long-term drinking an also risk problems with memory loss.

Heart Disease: In men over 40 and women past the menopause, small amounts of alcohol (a couple of drinks a day) may reduce the risk of heart disease. For everyone else, too much alcohol is likely to cause weight gain, prevent proper exercise and be a cause of heart disease.

Strokes: Drinking more than the sensible limit dramatically increases the risk of having a stroke. A very heavy session (more than eight units for men, six for women) causes dehydration and makes the blood thicker and more likely to form clots in the brain and elsewhere. Prolonged heavy use of alcohol also raises blood pressure and can be another cause of stroke.

Thread Veins and Brittle Nails: Alcohol affects the circulation by expanding blood vessels. This causes thread veins, often on the face, and purple, bulbous 'drinker's nose'. Heavy drinkers usually don't eat properly and too much alcohol stops the body absorbing the nutrients it needs. This leads to poor skin and brittle hair and nails.

Diabetes: Regular heavy drinkers are often overweight and this can go on to develop diabetes.

Sexual Health Problems: Too much alcohol shrinks genitals and lowers fertility. Being drunk can loosen inhibitions and affect your judgement. This can make you less likely to use a condom or other protection properly (or at all) and so increase the risk of a sexually transmitted infection or unintended pregnancy.

Liver Damage: A lot of drinking over a short period of time can and will cause Liver damage.

Short Term problems caused by Alcohol feeling relaxed and less inhibited. reduced concentration. slurred speech and blurred vision. affected coordination and judgment. aggressive behaviour. the risk of accidents when operating cars or other machinery is increased. heavy drinking causes hangovers with symptoms such as headaches, vomiting, irritability, shakiness, and nausea.

If someone who is physically dependent on alcohol suddenly stops drinking, they will experience withdrawal symptoms due to their body having to readjust to functioning without alcohol.

Withdrawal symptoms include: loss of appetite nausea anxiety insomnia irritability confusion tremors sweating

These days, drugs can be found everywhere, and it may seem like everyone's doing them. Lots of people are tempted by the excitement or escape that drugs seem to offer Thanks to medical and drug research, there are thousands of drugs that help people. Antibiotics and vaccines have

revolutionized the treatment of infections. Medicines can lower blood pressure, treat diabetes, and reduce the body's rejection of new organs. Medicines can cure, slow, or prevent disease, helping us to lead healthier and happier lives. But there are also lots of illegal, harmful drugs that people take to help them feel good or have.

What drugs do to the brain Drugs of abuse act on the neurons in the reward pathway. Drugs increase the release of dopamine from the neurons. The increased dopamine levels give drug abusers the rush or a high that they enjoy for a short time. The feelings of pleasure the drugs create only last a short time, but drugs can cause changes in the brain that last a very long time. Some of the changes may even be permanent. One of the changes that occurs when a person takes drugs is the development of cravings. If a person takes drugs and then stops taking them, he or she will crave the drug. Cocaine, like methamphetamine, is a stimulant that can have powerful effects on the brain and body.

By Ashleigh Halliday.

DRUGS! Drugs are very addictive and in huge doses, without medical attention, can be fatal and kill you.

Drugs are chemicals or substances that change the way our bodies work. When you put them into your body (often by swallowing, inhaling, or injecting them), drugs find their way into your bloodstream and are transported to parts of your body, such as your brain. In the brain, drugs may either intensify or dull your senses, alter your sense of alertness, and sometimes decrease physical pain.

A drug may be helpful or harmful. The effects of drugs can vary depending upon the kind of drug taken, how much is taken, how often it is used, how quickly it gets to the brain, and what other drugs, food, or substances are taken at the same time. Effects can also vary based on the differences in body size, shape, and chemistry.

By Ashleigh Halliday.

Alcohol:the real side effects‌ Many consequences come of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, especially socially developed ones.

Social effects caused by alcohol‌ Family problems The following effects are likely: Increased family tension; increased levels of quarrelling and violence; Destabilised relationships.

Partners may become anxious, depressed, socially withdrawn and may drink excessively themselves; detrimental effects on the children leading to behavioural problems and underperformance at school; Increased rates of divorce.

Work difficulties There may be deterioration in performance, conflict with colleagues, an increase in workplace accidents and a worsening attendance record. This is likely to result in repeated dismissals ultimately leading to long-term unemployment.

By Alek Baranski

Crime Excessive drinking is associated with crimes that include petty theft, driving offences, fraud, sexual offences and crimes of violence.

Social effects of alcohol misuse that may indicate moderate disability include: Unemployment.

Social isolation.

Contact with other people is confined to other drinkers.

Debt.

Divorce.

Legal problems such as theft and crimes of violence.

Self-neglect is likely to indicate severe disability

Drugs:the effects on your social life...

Marijuana Pot has more than 400 different chemical compounds and contains even more cancer-causing agents than are found in tobacco, according to some studies. Even low doses or pot can interfere with coordination, perception of time, reasoning and judgment, -making driving under its influence extremely dangerous.

Marijuana use causes short-term memory loss, decreases sperm and testosterone production in men, and may disrupt the menstrual cycle and cause miscarriage and stillbirth in women.

Cocaine/crack These are all extremely addictive stimulants. Because the intense euphoria these drugs produce is very short-lived, users typically use again and again trying to recapture that initial "high."

Physical effects of cocaine include increases in blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and body temperature.

By Alek Baranski

Snorting cocaine can severely damage nasal membranes over time.

Continued use produces insomnia, hyperactivity, anxiousness, agitation and malnutrition. Overdoses can be lethal.

Narcotics Heroin, Opium, Morphine, and Codeine are used legally by the medical profession to relieve pain. But they are abused due to their mood-altering effects. All narcotics are extremely physically and psychologically addictive. Medical problems can include congested lungs, liver disease, tetanus, infection of the heart valves, skin abscesses, anaemia and pneumonia. Death can occur from overdose.

Smoking and its effects on your social life

If you have bad breath; your hair, skin and clothing regularly smell of stale tobacco, you have to go outside in social settings to smoke every half an hour, and you have less money to spend on leisure activities, this does not make you the social or relationship magnet that the advertisers would have you believe. Romance and friendship is not appealing to potential partners and friends given all of the above, if they are nonsmokers. You may appear physically less attractive if you smoke due to the decrease in blood supply that happens to the body. In the face, this can lead to pallor and increased incidence of premature wrinkles, not only due to decreased perfusion, but also the reduction in anti-oxidant vitamins A, C and E. .

By Alek Baranski

.So when you next feel tempted by the alluring imagery that is, or was, associated with smoking tobacco and cigarettes, think again. Who on Earth wants to be around a smelly, wrinkly, sickness prone, highrisk, social outcast that is prone to problems in the bedroom, and who has spent all their money on an addiction they can choose to stop? Certainly not a non-smoker, and not one that would genuinely care for you if they did not want you to stop.

These are the social effects of smoking, the physical effects are even more frightening.

Class A drugs are treated by the law as the most dangerous. Offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act can include:

Drugs and Driving: Under the Road Traffic Act it is an offence to be in charge of a motor vehicle when unfit through drugs. If found guilty there's an obligatory 12 month's disqualification and a fine. If you are involved in an incident whilst under the influence, stiffer penalties will apply.

Remember that you're classed as being in charge of a vehicle even if you're crashed out in the back seat snoozing.

The Medicines Act: Some of the drugs used on the dance scene are covered by the above act. It is not illegal to possess various drugs such as Ketamine and Amyl Nitrate, but any unauthorised manufacture and distribution of these substances are possibly offences.

The most important drugs laws in the UK are the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Misuse of Drugs regulations made under the Act (2001), and the Medicines Act 1968. The Misuse of Drugs Act divides controlled drugs into three categories, classified according to their perceived degree of harmfulness or danger to the individual and society, with penalties varying accordingly.

Dealing with a drug offender: For minor offences (such as the possession of a small amount of cannabis for personal consumption); some police forces always prosecute first time offenders with small amounts of drugs, while others are far more lenient, offering only a caution. This is a formal acknowledgement that the person has committed an offence and acts as a warning regarding future behaviour.

If the person has already been cautioned for a similar offence they may have to appear before a Magistrates' Court and face a fine, suspended or short prison sentence.

Penalties for drug related crimes change according to the defendant's circumstances and record.

Class A: The maximum for possession is 7 years imprisonment with an unlimited fine, and for supply, life imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Class B: The maximum for possession is 5 years or a fine or both, and for supply, 14 years' imprisonment or a fine or both.

* Possession of a controlled drug. * Possession with intent to supply another person. * Production, cultivation or manufacture of controlled drugs. * Supplying another person with a controlled drug. * Offering to supply another person with a controlled drug. * Import or export of controlled drugs. * Allowing premises you occupy or manage to be used for the consumption of certain controlled drugs (smoking of cannabis or opium but not use of other controlled drugs) or supply or production of any controlled drug. The Act gives the police powers to stop and search persons, vehicles or vessels; to obtain search warrants to search properties; to seize anything which appears to be evidence of an offence; and to arrest persons suspected of having committed an offence under the Act.

Class A: These include, cocaine and crack (a form of cocaine), ecstasy, heroin, LSD, methadone, methamphetamine (crystal meth), magic mushrooms containing ester of psilocin and any Class B drug which is injected.

Class B: These include amphetamine (not methamphetamine), barbiturates, codeine and cannabis.

Class C: These include anabolic steroids and minor tranquillisers.

By Christie Warham

Under 5- Under 5s may not be given alcohol except on medical orders Under 14- You can’t go into a bar unless it has a ‘children’s certificate’.

You can go into licensed premises where alcohol is sold but not drunk so a shop that sells alcohol, but where you can’t drink on the premises.

You can go somewhere where you can drink, but that doesn’t sell beer like a pub beer garden.

14-15- You can go anywhere in a pub but not drink alcohol 16-17- You can be bought beer or cider to drink with a meal, but not in a bar Under 18- It’s against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence, supermarket or other outlet It is illegal for anyone to buy alcohol in a pub for someone under 18

Drinking in publicSome towns have alcohol-free zones where nobody can drink in public. Even where these aren’t in place the police can take away alcohol or move young people on if they have been drinking. They could even be fined or arrested.

Drink driving Anyone who drives or tries to drive after they’ve been drinking alcohol could face a driving ban, a large fine or even a prison sentence. It is illegal to drive while ‘unfit’ to do so.

Blood alcohol content calculator Opens new window What are the penalties for drink driving?

Anyone convicted of drink driving will be disqualified from driving for at least 12 months and fined up to £5,000. They could even face a prison sentence of six months.

Being 'drunk in charge' of a vehicle If someone is over the alcohol limit, they could be arrested even if they are not driving or trying to drive. For example, a person could be arrested if they are over the alcohol limit and in possession of car keys, if their car is nearby.

What the law says It is against the law: To be drunk in charge of a child under the age of seven in a public place or on licensed premises To sell alcohol to someone under 18, anywhere for an adult to buy or attempt to buy alcohol on behalf of someone under 18 for someone under 18 to buy alcohol, attempt to buy alcohol or to be sold alcohol in any circumstances (unless acting at the request of the police or a weights and measures inspector) for someone under 18 to drink alcohol in licensed premises, with one exception - 16 and 17 year olds accompanied by an adult can drink but not buy beer, wine and cider with a table meal for an adult to buy alcohol for a person under 18 for consumption on licensed premises, except as above Children and alcohol - what the law says in more detail Opens new window Drinking at home It is not illegal for a person under 18 to drink alcohol at home or at a friend’s house. Parents can choose to give young people some of their own alcohol when at home.

The law defines ‘unfit’ as having: over 80 milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood over 35 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of breath over 107 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of urine The police can stop anyone if they think they are driving with too much alcohol in their body. If stopped, the driver will be asked to take a breathalyser test to measure the amount of alcohol in their breath.

If the test is positive, the driver will be arrested and taken to a police station for further tests – possibly involving blood and urine. It is illegal to refuse to give a sample when asked.

By Christie Warham

Key points are:

On the 1st of July 2007, the smoke free law was introduced. It is now against the law to smoke in virtually all 'enclosed' and ‘largely enclosed' public places and workplaces.

Public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person must be smoke free at all times.

No-smoking signs must be displayed in all smoke free premises and vehicles.

Staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking areas are no longer allowed, so anyone who wants to smoke has to go outside Managers of smoke free premises and vehicles have legal responsibilities to prevent people from smoking.

The smoke free law has been introduced to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

Penalties and fines for breaking the smoke free lawLocal councils are responsible for enforcing the new law in England.

If you don't comply with the smoke free law, you will be committing a criminal offence. The fixed penalty notices and maximum fine for each offence are: Smoking in smoke free premises or work vehicles: a fixed penalty notice of £50 (reduced to £30 if paid in 15 days) imposed on the person smoking. Or a maximum fine of £200 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.

Failure to display no-smoking signs: a fixed penalty notice of £200 (reduced to £150 if paid in 15 days) imposed on whoever manages or occupies the smoke free premises or vehicle. Or a maximum fine of £1000 if prosecuted and convicted by a court.

Failing to prevent smoking in a smoke free place: a maximum fine of £2500 imposed on whoever manages or controls the smoke free premises or vehicle if prosecuted and convicted by a court. There is no fixed penalty notice for this offence.

By Christie Warham

Islam Vs Alcohol Alcohol is banned in Islam for many reasons and it has been a rule in Islam for around 1400 years.

Firstly they believe this because (no matter what it is made from or the quantity of the alcohol) if it causes drunkenness then it can’t be permitted. Also they don’t allow small quantities of alcohol because they believe that alcohol starts with small quantities and then eventually people become the slaves of alcohol.”

Also Muslims can not drink alcohol because in Islam the principle is that prevention is better than the cure, so it is better to prevent somebody getting the health risks from alcohol by not drinking it at all than by drinking alcohol and then being cured from the health problems alcohol causes.

Also to carry, buy, or to sell alcohol is prohibited in Islam because if alcohol is banned then this includes everything to do with alcohol as well.

Furthermore, alcohol is not allowed in Islam because the Qur’an forbids intoxication and alcohol is intoxicating to our bodies therefore it is wrong.

Lastly alcohol is also forbidden because when Mohammad bought Islam to his people they were fond of alcohol but Muhammad gradually began to teach people to refrain from intoxication and then eventually he forbid it completely. As Muhammad is respected in Islam, Muslims follow his example.

By Hannah Osbourne.

Islam Vs Drugs & Tobacco In Islam drugs are forbidden because in the Qur’an it bans the use & involvement with all intoxicants and substances, which alter the mind, therefore drugs are not allowed in Islam because drugs can intoxicate and alter people’s minds. Also drugs are banned because the Prophet Muhammad forbids drugs because he said that intoxicants are haram (forbidden) so Muslims will follow his example.

Muslim’s consider that all non-prescribed drugs are the work of Satan and are designed to lead people away from God. It is thought that all drugs enable people to escape from real life, which would mean that they cannot serve Allah well so they are forbidden.

Tobacco isn’t banned in Islam but some Muslim’s think it is Makruh (strongly disliked).

Some Muslims disagree with smoking because Allah said "And do not throw yourself into destruction with your own hands. ”Smoking is destructive and your life is your own hands so this could apply to smoking.

Also the Qur’an forbids intoxication and smoking is intoxicating to your body so smoking is wrong.

Also Muhammad is quoted as saying “Do not harm yourselves or others.” So by smoking you are not only harming yourself but others around you as well therefore smoking is haram.

On the other hand some Islamic followers would argue that there is no clear stating in the Qur’an or by the Prophet Muhammad that smoking is forbidden so smoking is allowed.

By Hannah Osbourne.

On the next couple of pages, you will learn what God, Christians and the Bible think/feel about alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption.

Christians allows both alcohol and tobacco BUT only in MODERATION

Jesus changed water into wine at a wedding in Canaan

St Paul said Christians could drink a little:

“Stop drinking only water, but drink a little wine!”

Jesus drunk wine during his life AND at his crucifixion.

Bread and Wine were served at Jesus' last supper. He told his disciples to continue doing so:

“Do this in remembrance of me” Most Churches use alcoholic wine at their communion– So Christians should be allowed to drink in MODERATION!

By Polly Rennison.

Some Christians (e.g. The Salvation Army) do NOT drink alcohol or smoke because: Drinking and smoking is abusing God’s temple

The Bible teaches that alcohol damages judgement and provokes violence

Christians should set an example of a healthy lifestyle to others

ALL Christians are AGAINST drugs because: St Paul taught that the body is a temple, and should not be abused. Taking drugs is abusing the body

Drugs cause mental effects which make it difficult to worship God. Drugs are taught to be wrong by the Church.

Drugs are against the law for good reason.

ALL Christian Churches teach that: DRUG USE IS WRONG

IN MODERATION!

By Polly Rennison.

Celeb Drug Raid: Even for the most seasoned traveller, it would be unnerving. For former Itgirl Tara Palmer-Tomkinson it was all the more surprising given her pampered entrance by private jet.

After a fun-filled shopping trip to London, Tara was returning to her home in the Swiss Alps on hedgefund tycoon Nat Rothschild's sumptuous private plane when armed customs officers stormed aboard.

For almost three hours Tara, 37, and three other passengers were subjected to an intensive search as sniffer dogs scoured the jet.

Last night, she was reluctant to talk about the matter, but I understand that only days later she was stopped again by customs officials at Zurich airport where she was boarding a commercial flight to the UK. This time, amusingly, officers were concerned about her ÂŁ1,000 Chanel 'pistol' shoes, identical to those worn recently by Madonna.

Ironically, the shoes which contain a real, 'They were terrified,' I am told. 'The customised gun in officers started pulling everything on place of the heel - had the plane apart, apparently looking been bought by Tara for drugs. The customs guys went on her original trip to through everything, pulling apart London and went untheir luggage, clothes and even strip noticed in the previous searching them. search. This time, however, the footwear was 'Tara was totally distraught about the confiscated at Zurich whole thing. She was made to feel airport for five days belike a criminal and subjected to a par- fore Tara's lawyers ticularly invasive search. could retrieve them.

'Only when they were finished were the party permitted to leave. Nothing was found. The next day the head of Swiss police called to say sorry for what had happened. Apparently, he was very apologetic.'

The incident happened when Tara, who spends most of her time at her home in Klosters, flew from London to an airport at St Gallen, which is regularly used by private aircraft.

By Olivia Rennison

'Having one incident after another has left Tara more than a little nervous about Swiss customs,' says a pal.

'Some friends have joked once is unfortunate, but twice is careless. I don't think she sees it like that.'

On the left is Tara;s nose after it collapsed, and on the right is how it was before.

HELP! There is help out there for all your problems! Don’t be scared to asked for help, because everyone needs it from Drugs HelplineTALK TO FRANK– call 0800 77 66 00 or visit www.talktofrank.co.uk

Alcohol HelplineDry Out Now– call 0845 508 9576 or visit www.dryoutnow.com

Smoking HelplineNicorette – call 0800 244838 or visit www.nicorette.co.uk

Get help now, before its too late...