Exploring Risks

Prepared by Lakmali Edirisinghe

Section 1
Positive
outcomes
Enjoyment

Gaining
independence and
having fun
Gaining experience
and independence.
Having fun.

Making new friends

and sharing
passions/ ideas
-

RISK
Listening to Loud
Music (at the
festival)
Driving without a
license

Consumption/
Possession of Illicit
Drugs

Going away with

friends

Negative outcomes

Possible Hearing Damage

Fines issued by the police

Other penalties may be issued
(18 month gaol term if breached
more than once)
Health problems (long term use)
Possible death (if overdose)
Fines (+ other penalties eg. jail
terms)
May lead to other law
infringements (eg. date rape)

Possible security risks depends

on the responsibility and the
size of the group.

Security risks <as above>.

These include encounters with
animals/ undesired people
Spot fines
Health problems (both short and
long term eg. Decreased
reaction times/ addiction)
May lead to other law breaches
due to intoxication
(eg. Coward punching)
Association with some people
may encourage law breaking
(eg. drug use, binge drinking)
Fines (+ other penalties)
Transmission of STIs (and other
medical complications)
Law cases; if the victim
becomes pregnant, there will be
greater consequences (child
custody, etc)
Guilt (in most cases)

Camping out

Heavy consumption
of Alcohol for
minors. (Underage
binge drinking)

Meeting new people

Rape (Date rape,
etc)

Drink Spiking

(no justifiable
positive outcomes)

Enjoyment

Enjoyment, and
socialising

Coward Punching

Speeding

Staying up late
consistently/ lack of
sleep

Fines (+ other penalties)

Possible death / hospitalisation if
there is a crash.

Increased drowsiness, which

may cause considerable risk
while driving, and doing other
important jobs.
Forgetfulness and negligence
Deterioration of both physical
and mental health (long term)
Loss of concentration
Inability to make conscious
decisions by looking at
surroundings.
<as above> Loss of
concentration and inability to
make proper and rational
decisions.
Similar to the fines highlighted
regarding possession and
consumption of drugs, with
higher penalties.

Listening to loud

music in a car/ other

distractions while
driving

Drink/Drug driving

Supply of Illicit
drugs.

Possible death or hospitalisation

of victim.
Law cases
Fines (+ other penalties)

Fines (+ other penalties)

Law cases (as the victim did not
consent to drug consumption)
Drug overdose complications
(eg. Hospitalisation, death)

Section 2
Risk

Laws & penalties

L and P plate drivers NSW or Australian
law/penalty?

Driving risk:

Speeding
(between 10 and
20km/h)

$260 fine, 4 demerit points and at least a

3-month suspension of license. (L and P
plate drivers)
Fully licenced drivers NSW or Australian
law/penalty?

$260 fine, and 3 demerit points (Fully

licenced drivers)
Minors NSW or Australian law/penalty?

Usually cautioned first; however, the same

penalties as adults apply (see below).

Drug risk:

Consumption of an
illegal drug
(Cannabis personal
use)

Adults NSW or Australian law/penalty?

Maximum fine of $2,200 and a prison term

of 2 years, served alongside community
service. Usually cautioned if the amount of
cannabis is small, and the offender has not
been previously cautioned.
Minors NSW or Australian law/penalty?

Relationship/social risk:

Drink Spiking
(with no other
related offences
such as rape)

There is very little information about Drink

Spiking with an offending minor. The
penalty will be laid against possession and
supply of alcohol, which attracts a
maximum fine of $2,200.
Adults NSW or Australian law/penalty?

Drink Spiking is illegal, whether the victim

is harmed or not. Maximum jail term is 2
years, and is usually served alongside
community service, and a maximum fine of
around $11000 (but is usually around the
$2000 mark).

Risk

Youth Statistics

Speeding

Almost 40% of all speedingrelated fatalities and caused by

males and females between the
ages of 17 and 24. Thats
approximately 76 fatalities per
year (2012). The amount of
injuries is much more.

Adult statistics
In the year 2013, just over
2600 people were affected
by a crash caused by
speeding of a fully-licensed
driver in NSW alone.

Consumptio
n of
Cannabis

Drink
Spiking

Risk

Speeding

Consumpti
on of
Cannabis

Drink

For 12-17 year olds, the average age

to start using cannabis is 16.7 years.

34.8% of Australians aged 14+

have used cannabis at least once.

14.8% of 1217 year olds have tried

cannabis the most commonly used
illicit drug among this age group.

10.2% of Australians aged 14+

have used cannabis in the past
12 months.

About 50% of victims of drink

spiking are under the age of 24
years. The main type of drink
spiking in young people is
prank spiking, where the crime
is considered a harmless joke.

One in 3 cases of drink

spiking end in sexual
assault.
15 to 19 drink spiking
incidents occurred per
100,000 people in Australia
during 20022003.

How statistics
above are known

Comment on the
validity of the
statistics

The youth statistics was

acquired from a nongovernment (the George
Institute for Global Health)
website; the adult from a
trusted government source
(transport.nsw.gov.au). The data
was collected from the reports
of crashes to authorities.
Furthermore, the statistic
mentions all people affected by
a crash, which is a very vague
term.

As there may have been

speeding crashed not reported
to appropriate authorities, the
figure stated above may be
less than reality. Additionally,
as there were no specific Adult
statistics, I had to make an
approximate calculation. Thus,
these statistics are not
extremely reliable, but fairly
valid.

Surveys are the most used data

collection method for
determining the number of
people consuming illicit drugs.
Underneath the statistic, there
was a link to participate in a
survey.
However, a cross-check with
another government
organisation would prove the
numbers to be fairly accurate.

Surveys are efficient, but their

effectiveness can vary. Many
participants can choose false
answers without any
consequences, and as the
survey is voluntary (people can
opt-out) it only targets one
group of people usually those
who are guilt-free. As a result,
this data is not as reliable as it
could be, despite its source
being a government agency.

www.druginfo.adf.gov.au claims

As the above statistics have

Spiking

that There is currently no way

to determine the exact number
of drink spiking incidents that
have occurred in Australia. The
main reasons for this fear of
embarrassment, stigma and
disbelief. Additionally, it is
extremely difficult to penalise
drink spikers, as most of their
work goes unnoticed. The above
statistics are estimates only.

been explicitly deemed

estimates by its source, the
validity of them can definitely
be questioned. Despite being
sourced by a government site;
the amount of actual drink
spiking incidents is much
higher. Additionally, the
statistics are over 10 years old.
These statistics are not reliable.

Consumption of Cannabis (Marijuana)

Section 3
Effects on Physical Health

Accelerated heartbeat. It can increase by 20-50 beats per

minute (30% 70%), and can continue at that rate for up to 3
hours. This is a major trigger in heart attacks.
Lung irritation, and increased phlegm production (similar
effects to that of tobacco smoking). This increases wheezing,
coughing and the possible development of bronchitis. Research
is also suggesting that cannabis can cause lung cancer due to
carcinogens; however, this is not yet proven.
Muscle relaxation (short term). Cannabis is sometimes used as
treatment for muscle spasms, arthritis and joint pain.
Reddening and decreased pressure of eyes (generally short
term, but long term use may lead to these effects lasting
longer).
Extremely sensitive skin, which can falsely perceive hot and
cold temperatures.
Upsets the stomach, usually leading to vomiting.

Effects on Mental Health

Increases the production of dopamine; the feel good hormone,

which triggers increased feelings of love and sensory
perception, allows the user to feel high, and somewhat
drowsy. Being high weakens the users ability to make sound
judgements and create/ recall memories.
Very large doses of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the
main chemical in Cannabis can lead to addiction, and
hallucinations. Long term use of high dosages can make this
effect permanent.
Increases appetite, which leads to weight gain. Cannabis is
sometimes used to treat eating disorders such as anorexia.
Makes the user feel confused, overly excited, and sometimes
aggressive.
Reactions times significantly decrease (as cannabis is a
depressant).
Decreases the users ability to concentrate and multitask. It
also decreases sex drive.
Depending on multiple factors (eg. Mood and health of the
consumer, method of consumption, the consumption of other
drugs at the same time, intensity of the drug), the user may
also feel depressed, anxious, paranoid or devoid of emotion.
High doses in teenage years will make the user more likely to
develop schizophrenia and stunt brain growth.
Cannabis can make the user do or say things that they
wouldnt normally.

Effects on Relationships

Because cannabis influences the things done/said by an

individual, it can be regrettable and embarrassing to look back
at them when the drug is not used. Saying/ doing such things
has a very high potential to break relationships.
Cannabis can, in some cases, start or retain relationships
(although their validity can be questioned). A group of friends,
for example, who start to consume cannabis may exclude any
members who dont, or a couple of individuals form friendships
through the consumption of the drug.
Regular users may experience financial stress through the
continual purchase of illicit drugs. This stress may also
contribute to the breaking of a relationship.
Consuming cannabis leads to aggressive and sometimes
unpredictable behaviour, which directly affect those around the
user. Confused friends, fiancs and family often find
understanding their loved one extremely difficult. One woman
from Cosmopolitan quotes that With one guy I dated, smoking
was so much of who he was, I never really knew when he was
and wasn't high, while another claims that smoking cannabis
has made him a totally different person. This, for many, can
be quite concerning.

Effects on Society

Consumption of cannabis is directly linked to poor performance

at school, and low occupational status/ unemployment. High
percentages of unemployment have serious implications
towards the economy, and consequently, the nation.
Cannabis users are usually very reliant on welfare services;
both government (Centrelink) and non-government
organisations (such as charities). Rehabilitation programs are
also in place to prevent and treat drug addiction. This also puts
strain on the economy; cannabis law enforcement systems
costs more than $300 million.
Cannabis is also linked with criminal activities. This puts society
under threat of all sorts of acts; major or minor depending on
the dosage of the drug consumed.
Working under the influence of cannabis (especially driving,
operating machinery and other such tasks with high demand
for concentration) leads to a higher risk of accidents occurring.
Depending on the situation, many others can be greatly
affected.

Bibliography
http://www.youngdriverfactbase.com/key-statistics/

http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/geared/your_licence/keeping_your_licence/speeding_penalties.html
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/alcohol/liquor_laws_and_under_18s
http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/
http://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/nsw-law-and-drink-spiking-as-a-crime/
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca190082/s38a.html
http://www.aic.gov.au/index.html
http://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/marijuana/effects-on-body
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a2/e1/61/a2e161d5ad03e1672273977a5047bbd7.jpg
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/images/pictures/health/cannabiseffects.jpg
http://drugaware.com.au/Getting-the-facts/Drug-Types/Cannabis#Impact-on-your-life
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-addiction/201003/weeding-out-your-significant-other-theeffect-marijuana
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/news/a43515/smoking-weed-affects-relationships/
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-schoolwork-social-life
http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi048.pdf
http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/attachments/article/1389/20151812%20factsheet%20Drink%20Spiking%20Web
%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf