Heads Up: Real News about Drugs and Your Body: Compilation of Year 3 Student Edition

2006·1.7 MB·English

C O M P I L A T I O N O F Y E A R 3 S T U D E N T E D I T I O N S
WELCOME TO Heads Up: Real News About Drugs and Your Body,
a drug education program designed to bring you the
latest science-based facts about drugs, addiction, and
your health so that you can make smart, informed choices
about your life.
Through research, scientists have determined that the teen brain is still developing and
this makes it particularly vulnerable to the effects of drugs. That’s why it is important to
know the facts about drugs and their consequences.
In the articles you’re about to read, you’ll learn that addiction is a disease and find out
the effects that drug addiction may have on a teen’s brain and body. You’ll also read about
the deadly connection between teens, drug abuse, and AIDS and find out that items in
most households, like inhalants and prescription drugs, pose real dangers for teens when
abused. The final article in the book explores how researchers have discovered an
important connection between
how the brain is involved in
Inside this compilation:
obesity and drug addiction.
Heads Up!The teen brain Drug Addiction is a Disease:
is a work under construction. Why the Teen Brain Is Vulnerable Page 2
Get the facts so you can make Teens,Drug Abuse,and AIDS:
good decisions for your brain, The Deadly Connection Page 6
your body, and your life. The Teen Brain:
Under Construction Page 10
To order additional copies Abuse of Inhalants and Prescription
The teen brain is still developing, so it
of this Heads UpStudent Drugs:Real Dangers for Teens Page 12
is particularly vulnerable to the
Edition at no charge, call
Two Teen Health Dangers: effects of drugs.The prefrontal cortex,
800-729-6686 and refer to which an adult uses to make decisions,
Obesity and Drug Addiction Page 16
NCADI MS977. is still developing in a teen.
FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
WWW.SCHOLASTIC.COM/HEADSUP
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Why the
Teen Brain
Is Vulnerable
◆
When Ryan Curry was 17, he woke each
morning to find himself shaking, his sheets
soaked in cold sweat. His body craved
OxyContin, a prescription painkiller.
◆
When she was 16, Judy (who does not want her
last name to be used) beat up her mother and
spent her days breaking into houses and stealing.
She was taking a powerful narcotic: heroin.
◆
Daniel Oerum was pale and skinny as a 17-year-
old. “My teeth were rotting out,” he says. Daniel
was using MDMA, also known as Ecstasy.
These teens were featured in last year’s edition of er
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2 FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HEADS UP: TEENAGERS ARE Cutting Edge
MORE AT RISK See the Brain in Action
You know that as a teen you are at
How is it possible to watch the brain
a different stage of development
at work? With new brain scan
than at any other age, and that
technology, researchers can view a
physiologically you are not yet an
person’s brain as he or she answers
adult. Your brain is one reason why.
T questions or plays games. One
During adolescence, the brain is still
example of brain scan technology is
developing. Drugs interfere with functional magnetic resonance
hese teens were all suffering that natural development. “Research imaging, or fMRI. This type of scan
from drug addiction,a chronic indicates that exposure to drugs of shows where the brain is using
relapsing disease that is abuse in adolescence may be a oxygen. Brain cells need oxygen for
characterized by compulsive drug- period of significantly increased energy; when cells are using oxygen,
seeking and abuse and long-lasting vulnerability to drugs’ effects they’re working. To create an image
chemical changes in the brain. No because of all the changes occurring using fMRI, a force is set up between
one knows how many times a in the brain,” says Nora D. Volkow, towxyog epno wcehrafnugl emsa tghnee tmsa; gbnloeotdic w fiietlhd ers, Inc.
person can use a drug before his or M.D., director of NIDA. differently than blood without oxygen. earch
her brain is changed and the user is Your body and brain have been es
The contrast reveals the areas of the R
on the path to addiction. Everyone developing and maturing since you oto
brain that are working. fMRI is very h
P
is different, but genetic makeup were born. Small children learn n/
useful for studying how drugs change ga
probably plays a role. Once a user to balance and walk easily because or
the structure of the brain. M
becomes addicted to the drug, he or the part of their brain called the •MRI scan of brain •PET scan of brain Hank
she craves it, even more than a cerebellummatures. You learned to ©
ht:
person craves food or friendship. talk, read, and write as your parietal rig
Without a dose of the drug, the lobesdeveloped. uest;
Q
e
natural chemical levels in a drug As teens, changes are still ur
abuser’s brain are low. The abuser happening in your brain. Most bis/Pict
then feels flat, lifeless, and important, the prefrontal cortexis Cor
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depressed. rapidly changing; it will not be eft:
L
There have been many different mature until your late teens or early
Another window into the working
approaches to the problem of drug 20s. When scientists look at scans of
brain is positron emission tomography,
abuse and many different beliefs an adolescent brain, it looks much
or PET scan. PET scans measure brain
about the causes of addiction. The like an adult’s, except for this
activity. To create a PET scan, scientists
scientists at the National Institute section. The prefrontal cortex is the
inject a slightly radioactive compound,
on Drug Abuse (NIDA) have been part of the brain that, when fully
a radiotracer, into the bloodstream.
studying this for 30 years. Today, as developed, you will use to make
Through use of a computer, this
a result of research studies, clinical decisions that require judgment and
radiotracer enables scientists to see
trials, and new tools like consideration of long-term
where in the brain glucose (sugar) is
neuroimaging, scientists know that consequences. Because the being used. This indicates active
drug addiction is a disease. With prefrontal cortex is still maturing in areas of the brain. More glucose is
continuing advances in technology, teens, a brain system that matures used by more active areas of the
such as fMRI and PET scans, and earlier—the limbic system— brain, which means that the active
current research under way, influences their decisions more than areas are more visible than the less
scientists are learning that it would influence an adult’s active areas. With PET, scientists can
adolescent brains are more decisions. see which areas of the brain are
active, and compare that level of
susceptible than adults’ to the The limbic system is a group
activity to other areas of the brain.
effects of drugs. of linked brain structures that
FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 3
Why Are Teens Vulnerable?
Ages
5 20 The prefrontal
cortex, indicated by
the circles, is the
last part of the brain
together are responsible for feelings, to develop. It is
emotional reactions, and drive or involved in decision
motivation. A well-developed limbic making in adult
system is probably one reason why brains. In teens, the
teens love new things and love them prefrontal cortex is
intensely. When you hear a song for rapidly developing.
These images show
the first time or taste a new kind of
15 years of brain
pizza, you’ll remember the good
development for a
feelings and seek out similar ones
healthy person.
because your limbic system creates a
memory. The limbic system is one of
© 2004 National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A. Gogtay, Nitin, Giedd, Jay N., et al. “Dynamic mapping of human
the oldest in the brain: you don’t have cortical development during childhood through early adulthood.” PNAS USA. 2004 May 25; 101(21): 8,174–8,179.
Epub 2004 May 17, p. 8,178, fig. 3.
to think about many of your
experiences by using a natural brain abuser has a hard time creating
emotional reactions—such as your
chemical called dopamineto carry natural feelings. He or she needs
heart beating faster when you see
messages, which we experience as drugs just to feel normal. Second,
your crush in the hallway or your
feelings. Dopamine is considered a the limbic system creates a memory
mouth watering at the thought of
neurotransmitter, or a chemical in the of the drug and a drive for it. That
pizza—because your limbic system is
brain that acts as a messenger drive to seek out drugs—an intense
directly wired to the brain stemand
between two brain cells. Drugs of appetite for something the addict
cerebrum.
abuse interfere with this delicate knows is unhealthy—is the disease
communication system and create we call addiction.
HEADS UP: DRUGS CHANGE
floods of dopamine and intense
HOW THE TEEN BRAIN WORKS
feelings. The limbic system adapts to HEADS UP: DRUGS ALSO
Scientists have known for years that
drug use in two ways: First, the brain CHANGE HOW THE TEEN
the limbic system is the primary
senses the excess neurotransmitters BRAIN DEVELOPS
system affected by drugs of abuse.
and begins to produce less of the Scientists recently discovered that
Normally, brain cells in the limbic
chemical, so that without drugs, the drugs do more than change how the
system respond to pleasurable
Wake-Up Call
Understanding the Science of Addiction Keeps Teens in the Know
The teen years have always teen, you have the information
been a time of growth and you need to make smart
exploration. Now more than choices. That means that you
ever, teen years are also a will understand the kinds of
time of stress. Overscheduling, positive things you can do to
performance pressure from relieve stress while not harming
es
parents and peers, and worries your body. You might cook a ag
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You face these pressures every beach or hiking. Relieving Taxi/
day. When you know the stress in a positive way will us/
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scientific facts of how you are help protect you from becoming Ch
n
growing and developing as a a victim of drugs. Ke
©
4 FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
processes to proceed inappropriate- seventh-grade teachers taught their
ly, in effect sculpting the brains of students a series of 45-minute
these adolescents in ways that lessons about the dangers of drugs,
facilitate the addiction process,” how to say no, and how to stand up
writes Dr. Levin. for themselves. Over the next year,
limbic system works. Taken during • What teens do when they scientists compared the kids who
adolescence, drugs actually change are teens impacts the adult got the lessons with similar kids
how the brain develops. “Recent body.At the University of Miami, who didn’t. The educated kids had
animal studies provide evidence that researchers Dr. Sari Izenwasser and much lower rates of drug use than
drugs affect the developing brain Dr. Stephanie Collins found that the others. This proves that when
differently than they do the matured rats that had been exposed to kids know the facts, they make
brain,” says Dr. Volkow. nicotine as adolescents were more smart decisions. Reliable Web sites
In studies sponsored by NIDA, sensitive to cocaine as adults, such as www.teens.drugabuse.gov,
scientists are learning why many putting them more at risk for www.health.org,and www.scholas
adult addicts started using drugs in cocaine abuse. “This suggests that tic.com/HEADSUPhave a wealth
adolescence. For example, new early nicotine use may create an of information about drugs and
studies show how vulnerable the increased risk of addiction for their effects on the brain and body.
teen brain is to nicotine, the highly young people who subsequently use For help with a drug problem, go to
addictive drug in cigarettes. cocaine,” writes Dr. Izenwasser. www.findtreatment.samhsa.govto
• One example: Teen smokers access information about a
are addicted more quickly than HEADS UP: KNOWLEDGE IS treatment center near you or call
adults.Animal studies have shown THE KEY TO PREVENTION the National hotline at 1-800-662-
that teens crave cigarettes after What stops kids from becoming HELP. Check out future issues of
smoking fewer cigarettes than drug users? NIDA research shows this magazine for more articles in
adults. At Duke University in that education really works. As part the series Heads Up: Real News
Durham, North Carolina, Dr. of a recent experiment, a group of About Drugs and Your Body.
Edward Levin and his colleagues
introduced nicotine to two groups
Facts for Real Life
of rats equivalent in ages to
adolescent and adult humans. He
found that adolescent rats wanted Q: IF YOU BECOME ADDICTED TO
more nicotine more quickly than DRUGS, IS IT HOPELESS, OR CAN
adult rats. “This finding suggests YOUR BRAIN RECOVER?
that those who begin smoking A: It’s tough to overcome addiction.
during adolescence are at greater Some of the brain changes caused by
risk for increased smoking over the addiction to certain drugs are
long term,” writes Dr. Levin. permanent. But drug addiction is
• And…teen smokers are more treatable. People in treatment for
likely to be addicted as adults. drug addiction learn special
At Duke University, Dr. Levin also techniques for controlling their
found that, compared to rats that behavior and sometimes take
ger never had nicotine, animals that had medications designed to compensate for the brain changes
n
Kroni nicotine as adolescents wanted more caused by addiction. Researchers have found that time is
hen as adults. “Self-administration of important when it comes to treating addiction. Patients who
p
Ste nicotine during teenage years, when stay in treatment more than three months have better
©
n: the brain is still developing, may outcomes than those in short-term treatment.
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FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 5
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Teens who abuse drugs
face a risk of getting AIDS
and (get this!) of passing
it on to the friends they love.
W
orld AIDS Day takes the most recent years for AIDS-
place every year on December 1. related statistics—about one out of
On that day, people all over the every six new HIV infections were
planet focus on the challenge of in people between the ages of 13
trying both to cure and control and 25. We’ll say it again—between
its spread. the ages of 13 and 25!
When you think about what a And here’s another thing you
terrible disease AIDS (acquired may not realize—it’s a fact that
immunodeficiency syndrome) is can help keep you and your friends
and the huge number of lives it has safe from AIDS: According to a
claimed—a mind-boggling 20 2004 report from NIDA, behavior
million in 24 years—it seems that associated with drug abuse is now
everyday ought to be World AIDS the single largest factorin the spread
Day. As a teenager, you might ask, of HIV infection in the U.S.
What does this have to do with Nearly 300,000 Americans over
me? You may not know it, but the age of 12 who were diagnosed
young people are one of the with AIDS between 1998 and 2002
populations at risk for infection could attribute it, directly or
with HIV (human immunodefi- indirectly, to drug abuse. “Drug
ciency virus, the virus that causes abuse is inextricably linked with
AIDS). Between 1998 and 2000— the spread of infectious diseases
Top to bottom:©Steve Cole/Photodisc/PictureQuest;©Cone
6 Productions/Brand X Pictures/PictureQuest;©BananaStock.
6
FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
WWW.SCHOLASTIC.COM/HEADSUP
AA bb uu ss ee ,, Cutting Edge
uu gg Disease Detectives
When the problems of drug abuse,
addiction, and related diseases are
solved in the future, it will be thanks
SS :: T h e D e a d l y taon dte haamrds oonf srceiseenatirsctsh wanodrk sinoglu ltoionngs.
Teens today can contribute by
C o n n e c t i o n working toward careers that will put
them at the center of the action.
Here are some possibilities.
such as HIV/AIDS…and hepatitis uninfected person without using a
C,” says NIDA director Nora D. latex condom, which physically
Volkow, M.D. stops transmission of viruses.
S
How big a problem is AIDS Once in the body, HIV and RBI
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among young people today? In the hepatitis C begin to cripple and kill C
©
U.S., about 20,000 individuals cells. The viruses latch on to IMMUNOLOGISTS AND
between the ages of 13 and 25 healthy cells and implant their own VIROLOGISTS investigate
become infected with HIV every genetic material, causing the cells mechanisms by which viruses
year. Let’s break that down for you: to churn out new copies of HIV or defeat the body’s defenses and
About 55 young people each day hepatitis C. The cells then die. cause illness. In one promising line
contract HIV, a virus that will sap HIV attacks cells in the immune of inquiry, researchers are searching
their defenses against illness and system, the body’s disease-fighting for methods to activate the body’s
possibly take their lives. It’s a very department. As the illness own immune system to fight germs
big problem. Soon, you’ll find out progresses, patients lose their natural in new ways.
how and why the disease of drug ability to fight off germs, and they MOLECULAR ENGINEERS
addiction helps set the stage for the fall prey to diseases that are not are specialized chemical engineers
disease of AIDS. But first you have normally a threat to healthy people. who create molecules. This emerging
to understand exactly what AIDS is People are considered to have AIDS scientific speciality is important in
and how it spreads. when the level in their bloodstream the area of pharmaceutical research,
of CD4, an immune cell, drops where drugs are being designed to
HEADS UP: THE FACTS below a certain point. Before that hopefully one day stop HIV, hepatitis
ABOUT HIV AND HEPATITIS C happens, though, a person with HIV C, and other viruses that attack the
AIDS and hepatitis C, another viral can live for years without any human body.
disease associated with drug abuse, symptoms—andcan pass the virus to PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALISTS
are both blood-borne illnesses. others without realizing it. The include a wide range of professionals
That means the disease-causing Centers for Disease Control and who are concerned about health
viruses are spread when blood or Prevention (CDC) estimate that a behaviors of the public. From nutri-
bodily fluids from an infected quarter of the 850,000 to 950,000 tionists and prevention specialists to
person come into contact with the infected people in the U.S. don’t research coordinators and biomedical
bloodstream of a healthy person. know they have HIV. There is no scientists, these professionals want
This can happen when injection vaccine for AIDS and no vaccine for to help people choose behaviors that
drug users share needles or when HIV.The hepatitis C virus infects can lower their risk of drug addiction,
an infected person has sex with an cells in a person’s liver and can live HIV, and other diseases.
7
FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Injection drug userefers to when impaired. On one level they may
drugs are injected with a needle into know that needle-sharing could
the veins or tissue. The most result in the spread of HIV and
common drugs injected are heroin, other diseases, yet on another level
cocaine, and certain steroids. Since they may not be able to use proper
silently in the body for years. Just early in the AIDS epidemic, judgment or to inhibit actions that
like with HIV, people can transmit injection-drug abusers have had a could lead to long-term risks for
hepatitis C without knowing they high rate of HIV infection. They themselves or others.
have it. Hepatitis C attacks the liver are at risk of sharing unsterilized
and can cause liver cancer and other needles with others, and when they
life-threatening liver diseases. There do so, they are also at risk of
is no cure and no vaccine, but a sharing infected blood left behind in
small percentage of the people who the needle and syringe. That’s one
get hepatitis C fight it off with the way the virus is spread.
body’s defenses. According to the Many teens (and adults) who
CDC, about 4 million Americans inject drugs know the risks, but do HEADS UP: THE BEHAVIOR
are infected with the virus. it anyway. Why? Scientists have CONNECTION
found that drug addiction is a brain Fortunately, injection-drug use
HEADS UP: DRUGS, AIDS, disease in which drugs of abuse among teens is relatively rare.
AND BAD DECISIONS change the way the brain functions. According to the CDC, only about
Why is drug abuse so closely linked For example, the brain’s prefrontal 1 in 50 high school students say
to the spread of AIDS and other cortex is particularly sensitive to they’ve ever injected an illegal
blood-borne diseases like hepatitis addiction—but it also plays an drug. However, choosing to share a
C? The most obvious answer is important role in judgment, contaminated needle clearly isn’t
injection drugs. According to Dr. decision making, and inhibiting or the only drug-related bad judgment
Volkow, “Injection drug use has putting the brakes on behaviors. call that can lead to AIDS or
directly and indirectly accounted for This means that because of their hepatitis C. What else can? The
more than one-third of AIDS cases addiction, some injection-drug effects of drugs on thinking and
in the United States.” It is also the abusers may not realize that their good judgment can cause teens to
leading cause of hepatitis C. ability to make decisions is take all kinds of risks—and we don’t
Wake-Up Call
How HIV/AIDS Spread
LESS THAN 1%
This chart shows how injection- 48 PERCENT were males who
drug use spreads AIDS far beyond injected drugs of abuse.
just the drug abusers themselves.
22 PERCENT were females
Based on 2002 data, it breaks
who injected drugs of abuse.
down the broad category of AIDS-
30%
infected people whose infection 30 PERCENT were males and
resulted directly or indirectly 48% females who had sex partners
from injection-drug use. What who injected drugs of abuse.
percentage of infected people
LESS THAN 1 PERCENT
became infected without any direct 22%
were children born to mothers
contact with injection drugs? who injected drugs or had sex ock
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partners who did. na
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How HIV/AIDS Spread, 2002 Ba
©
8
FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
mean risks such as big-wave surfing immune-system fighter cell. They also helping to protect yourself and
or extreme snowboarding. Sexual found that for four hours after drug the people you love from the diseases
risks top the list. exposure, the body produced less of both drug addiction and AIDS.
In a 1999 NIDA-sponsored than halfthe fighter cells it did You know the facts. AIDS simply
study, researchers at the University when cocaine wasn’t present. “Even can’t survive without people making
of Kentucky in Lexington surveyed if the blunted immune response bad decisions—decisions that result
952 young adults ages 19 to 21 who lasts only a few hours, it makes it in new people becoming infected
had been surveyed in eighth grade. more likely that an infection like with HIV.
Researchers found that those who HIV or just a common cold can If you’re a teen who’s suffering
started using alcohol and marijuana take hold,” says Dr. Halpern. from drug abuse, there are solutions,
when they were young practiced and you can get help. For help with
riskier sexual behavior than those a drug problem, go to www.find
who did not, putting them at higher treatment.samhsa.govto access
risk for HIV. The study defined information about a treatment center
risky sexual behavior as “sex with near you, or call the National hotline
different partners” and “inconsistent at 1-800-662-HELP. NIDA studies
use of safe-sex practices,” meaning show that people in treatment for
the young adults didn’t always use injection-drug abuse are up to six
latex condoms. times less likely to become infected
Another, much larger 1998 HEADS UP: KNOWLEDGE with HIV than those not in
study based on data collected from IS POWER treatment. “There is hope” for
8,450 young people by the CDC In 2005, when 38 million people people battling addiction, says Dr.
had similar findings. Teens who worldwide are estimated to have Volkow. “Recovery is possible and
abused drugs or alcohol were more been infected with HIV, it’s hard is happening.”
likely to have had two sex partners to fathom that just 25 years ago
in the past month—which the study nobody knew what AIDS was. It In the first installment of this series,
defined as risky sexual behavior that was so rare, it didn’t have a name. you learned about the disease of
increases the chance of contracting It started slowly at first, then addiction and why teenagers’ brains
HIV. progressed with frightening are uniquely susceptible to the effects
speed—HIV spread from person of drug abuse. Today, you found out
HEADS UP: A BODY ON to person until AIDS became a how drug abuse and the disease of
ges. DRUGS CAN’T FIGHT BACK worldwide epidemic. addiction can lead to the spread of
a
m
etty I Not only do drugs cause teens to Through knowledge, you as a AIDS and hepatitis C. Check future
e/G take stupid risks that can lead to teen have real power when it comes issues of this magazine for the next
n
Sto infections with dangerous viruses, to AIDS. Your peer group is at risk. Heads Up: Real News About Drugs
Daly/ drug abuse can lower your By choosing to avoid drugs, you’re and Your Body.
Nick immunity, making it more likely
© Facts for Real Life
d; that you’ll get HIV, hepatitis C, and
orl
W other diseases to which you might
e
Wid be exposed. Want proof? Q: DO YOU HAVE TO BE ADDICTED TO
P DRUGS TO GET DISEASES LIKE AIDS
A
an/ One NIDA-sponsored study AND HEPATITIS C?
der Os showed that cocaine use cuts a A: Absolutely not. It’s true that those who are addicted
urin certain type of immune response by are at much higher risk.That’s because they use
G
© more than half. Researcher John H. drugs compulsively and repeatedly without regard
m:
o Halpern, with colleagues at McLean for negative consequences. Even so, sharing
o bott Hospital and Harvard Medical equipment for injection-drug abuse EVEN ONCE
p t can cause infection, and so can a single episode of
To School, measured levels of a key
unprotected sex with an infected person.
9
FROM SCHOLASTIC AND THE SCIENTISTS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. can have life-altering consequences. affect the decision-making process, whicinfection in the United States. Drugsfactor in the spread of HIV abuse is now the single largestBehavior associated with drug Immune System threatening internal bleeding.which can rupture, causing life-and blood-filled cysts—either of associated with liver tumors Steroid abuse has been Liver chemicals in these drugs. the effects of tar, one of thousands of marijuana users’ lungs turn black from lungs is serious. Tobacco and impact that drugs have on theFrom cancer to black lung, the Lungs
h