Gateway Drugs

 Cigarettes, Marijuana and Alcohol are

described as the gateway drugs.
 Nicotine in tobacco smoke is very addictive,
even more addictive than cocaine and
heroin.
 Nicotine changes the chemistry of the brain
so that a smoker craves cigarettes.
 If a person took the amount of nicotine in ten
packs of cigarettes, he or she would die.
Trachea, Bronchi, Bronchioles
and Alveoli
 The bronchioles are the
intermediate air passages
Bronchioles within the lungs. They
branch off of the large
bronchi and extend to the
smaller branches of the
alveolar ducts. Each
respiratory bronchiole
subdivides into five or more
alveolar ducts. The
structure of the bronchi,
bronchioles, alveolar ducts,
and alveoli is often called
the "pulmonary tree"
because its extensive
branching resembles the
limbs and leaves of a tall
deciduous tree.
 The alveoli are the tiny sacs at the ends (or "leaves") on the
Alveoli bronchial tree. Each small bronchiole divides into half a
dozen or so alveolar ducts, which are the narrow inlets into
alveolar sacs. Each alveolar duct subdivides, leading into
three or more alveolar sacs. Each large alveolar sac is like
a grape cluster which contains ten or more alveoli. Because
the membrane separating the alveolus and the capillary
network which carries blood over them is very thin and
semipermeable, oxygen can transfer from the air into the
blood cells within the capillaries. Likewise, carbon dioxide
and other waste gases can transfer out of the blood and into
the air to be exhaled from the lungs. The alveoli are
particularly susceptible to infection, as they provide bacteria
and viruses a perfect place to grow. This accounts for the
tendency for a chest cold or other lung problem to advance
into pneumonia and pneumonitis, both potentially dangerous
conditions in which the innermost parts of the lungs become
infected and inflamed, diminishing air flow and oxygen
transport.
Alveoli Sac
Cilia inside nasal cavity
 Cilia line the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity
Dangerous poisons in
cigarettes.
 When a person inhales cigarette smoke, thousands
of tiny particles enter the lungs. When the tar cools,
it forms a sticky substance that coats the lining of the
lungs.
 It also paralyzes millions of tiny hairs in the nose,
throat and bronchus that would otherwise sweep
germs out of the lungs.
 The tar in cigarette smoke can trigger cancer growth.
 The lungs expand and contract for normal breathing,
but the tar causes a gooey molasses and this
prevents normal breathing. (Emphysema)
 Diseases
 Tar in cigarette smoke can cause another disease
– chronic bronchitis. In this condition the airways to
the lungs get smaller, and they become clogged
with mucus.
 Cigarette smoke also contains carbon monoxide –
(car exhaust). Carbon Monoxide ends up in the
brain, heart, and blood vessels. This gas takes the
place of oxygen; the subject’s heart will have to
pump harder to deliver the oxygen around the
body. This extra work can put a strain on the heart.
 The gas also builds up a fatty substance called
cholesterol on blood vessel walls.
What is contained in
cigarettes?
 Rat poison.
 Aviation fuel
 Insecticides hydrogen cyanide.
 Cleaning agents.
 Weed killer.
 Exhaust fumes.
Other Products
 Nitrogen oxides: a major component of
smog.
 Ammonia; a major component of
fertilizers.
 Sulphur dioxide: kill cilia.
 Toluene can damage brain cells.
 Nitrosamines: destroy D.N.A.
Harmful Products: cancer
causing
 Tar,nickel, lead and cobalt.
 Benzene: an industrial solvent refined from
crude oil.
 Cadmium used in batteries.
 Polonium 2010: a radioactive element.
 Chromium: used to manufacture dye and
paints.
 Acrolein used as chemical weapons.
Stop to think (inside)
 Ant poison – arsenic
 Floor cleaner – ammonia
 Polish remover – acetone
 Explosives – toluene
 Tanning lotion – methylamine
 Insecticide – DDT
 Weed killer – nicotine
 Power in satellites – polonium
 Aviation fuel - methanol
Other Facts
 6,000 die each year in Ireland due to smoking.
 95% of lung cancers are caused by smoking.
 In Ireland one third of 15 – 17 year olds smoke.
 20 a day smoker, spends over 180 a month
and over 2000 euros per year.
 It contains 4000 chemicals.
 It stains your teeth, the smell lingers on your
clothes.
 Tobacco companies need to recruit 25 new
customers per day because this is the amount
who die from smoking in Ireland each day.
Irish and European Statistics
 In2009 31% of the Irish population smoked.
29% is the average for a E.U. country.
 40% in Greece, but only 16% of the Finnish
population smoke.
 According to the HSE, 15% of irish –age
school children smoke.
 IN 2008, there were 36,000 tobacco related
admissions to hospital in Ireland which cost
280 million.
Marijuana
 It has more tar than cigarettes.
 Contains a poisonous chemical delta nine
tetrahydrocannabinol. (THC).
 THC is stored in various organs – lungs and
kidneys.This chemical destroys white blood
cells.It can cause panic attacks. Users find it
difficult to focus their thoughts.
 Can also distort a person’s sense of time and
space. (Auto accidents)
Alcohol
 Alcohol is a poisonous substance. If the liver
becomes overloaded and can not deamify the
alcohol fast enough this results in alcohol
poisoning.
 Heart – high blood pressure and therefore the
heart has to work harder to pump blood around the
body.
 If your liver becomes damaged then harmful
products will remain in the body. The person gets
hepatitis and the liver gets sore. Cirrhosis –
portions of the liver die and become scarred.
Statistics
 As a nation we consume the most alcohol in
Europe, we have overtaken Luxembourg per
head of population.
 30% of male admissions to hospitals in this
country have an alcohol related problem.
 Orthopoedic – fractures.Gastro intestinal wards
– peptic ulcers. Neurological wards – dementia.
Liver units – hepatitic convulsions. Respiratory
Wards – pneumonia, T.B. tongue and throat
cancer. Cardiac Unit – high blood pressure.
Maternity Wards – birth to babies with foetal
alcohol syndrome. Accident and emergency
crashes. Morgue – suicides.
 Cannabis
 Made from parts of the cannabis plant.
 Impure – soap bar.
 Sedative effects and others feel chilled
out.
 Hunger pangs. Co-ordination. Panic.
 Chemical nasties: lung disease, cancer.
 Increases blood pressure and causes
schizophrenia and poor concentration