Legal drugs and teenagers

A drug is any substance that changes the way the mind and body work. Some drugs – such as alcohol – are legal, while others – such as heroin, ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine, and LSD – are illegal. Still others – such as inhalants – have both legal and illegal uses.

Tobacco

Tobacco is the most common and dangerous legal drug. Long-term use causes serious diseases such as emphysema, heart disease, and lung cancer. In most places in the United States, you must be 18 to buy tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco. However, studies show that almost 25 percent of young teenagers smoke regularly. In addition, 85 percent of teenagers who smoke become addicted.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant that can affect people in many different ways. Some people are relaxed by the drug. Others lose their inhibitions completely so they do stupid, and sometimes dangerous things. Some people become alcoholics. Alcoholics are people who are addicted to alcohol. Alcohol addiction destroys the lives of millions of people every day. Even though alcohol is legal for adults, it is illegal for teenagers. However, teenagers are drinking more than ever. Studies show that a third of American teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 drink at least once a week. Many of them drink alcoholic fruit drinks. These sweet drinks often have more alcohol than beer or wine.

Inhalants

Inhalants are drugs that you can inhale or breathe in and get high. Inhaling or sniffing, is very popular with very young teenagers because the products are easy to find. They are also inexpensive. Common household products such as glues, nail polish remover, lighter fluid, spray paints, deodorant, hair spray, and cleaning fluids are sniffable. Most sniffers give up inhalants and start using alcohol or other drugs when they have more money. Inhalants can cause brain damage and even death.

4. Reading comprehension

1. C heck your predictions

Look back at questions 1-4 in the prediction section. How correct were your predictions?

Prediction	Correct	Not Correct
1
2
3
4

2. Reading 1

Read the statements and write true (T) or false (F). go back to Reading 1 and look for the answers you are unsure of.

1. The Incas knew how to make cocaine.

2. Coca leaves make you sleepy.

3. People used to believe that cocaine was not dangerous.

4. Freud knew that cocaine was bad.

5. Coca-Cola was made from coca leaves and kola nuts.

6. Farmers used cocaine to grow food.

7. Cocaine was popular for about 50 years.

Answer the questions.

1. How did cocaine make people feel?

2. What are some of the bad effects of cocaine?

READING 2

Read the statements and write true (T) or false (F). go back to Reading 2 and look for the answer you are unsure of.

1. All drugs are illegal.

2. Anyone can buy cigarettes in the United States.

3. Tobacco can cause cancer.

4. Most teenagers who smoke become addicted to tobacco.

5. Alcohol is very dangerous for everyone.

6. Teenagers don’t drink because it’s illegal.

7. Teenagers prefer sweet drinks.

8. You can’t drink an inhalant.

9. Anyone buy an inhalant.