3.Religious Attitudes to Drug Abuse

1. 3.Religious Attitudes to Drug Abuse Learning Objective: To examine the key issues of this topic to prepare for the G.C.S.E. examination.

2. Key areas of the topic (What do I NEED to KNOW ?) • Religious attitudes to Drugs. • Christian beliefs and Teaching • Sikh Beliefs and Teaching • Why do people use Drugs ? • Legal drugs. • Illegal Drugs and classification. • Religious vies • Medical views • Relationship between body and mind.

3. Religious Views on Drugs Christian View Christians are opposed to Drug abuse. “Your body is seen as God’s temple”. Genesis 1:27 • Smoking is not encouraged. • Alcohol is acceptable in moderation. (Used in communion). Some Christians are Teetotal and drink none at all (Methodists, Salvation Army). Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana. • Illegal drugs. Christians are against these because people loose control of their lives through addiction. Christians believe that it is their duty to help addicts overcome their addiction. (Christians are also against breaking the law). • Christians see advances in medicine as a gift from God to be used to help humanity. Sikh View Sikhs believe that all people should respect their body and do nothing to harm it. 1. Smoking is not allowed (Listed in the Four sins Kurahit – in the Rahit Maryada [code of conduct]). 2. Alcohol is not permitted, was forbidden by the Gurus. (Not allowed in the Gurdwara) – Adi Granth 554 3.Illegal drugs are forbidden as they stand between people and God. Sewa: requires people to put others first, drug addicts are selfish because of the addiction. (Sikhs are also against breaking the law). 4. Sikh are allowed to use medication to overcome illness but not to harm it.

4. What are Drugs?

5. What is a drug? • “Drugs are substances that are absorbed into the body to produce a change of mood or of bodily function.” • A drug is defined as ‘a medicinal substance, but also as a narcotic, hallucinogen or stimulant, especially one causing addiction’ (Oxford reference Dictionary)

6. There are different types of drugs based on use. • Prescription drugs. - analgesics (Those prescribed by a Doctor). 2. Recreational - socialising. (Alcohol, Tobacco, cannabis, ecstasy and Caffeine) 3. Illegal Drugs . (Such as Cocaine, Crack, Heroine, Ecstasy, and Cannabis.) 4. Performance Enhancing Drugs (Testosterone in sport)

7. The are different types of drugs based on the effects drugs has on our bodies Stimulant (Uppers) – speeds up the nervous system Depressant (Downers) – slows down the nervous system Hallucinogenic – when taken the person sees and hears things that aren’t really there Analgesic (Opoid) - pain killer

8. Why do people take Drugs? YouTube - Talk to frank advert

9. Some people think that taking Drugs will remove boredom from their life. • People are addicted so experiment more and more , may be trying to use one drug to help them escape another. • People like to experiment. • To rebel against school, society and parents. • Peer pressure (Because their friends do) • To cure an illness !

10. Recreational Drugs These are drugs that are used in social times but have no medical purpose. Also just because they are legal doesn’t mean they are safe!!!!!!!!!!! • Alcohol. It is a depressant that makes people’s reflexes slower and makes them loose their inhibitions. It can also cause big personality changes and some people can become alcohol dependent (Alcoholic). Over 70% of weekend hospital cases are alcohol related. • Tobacco (Nicotine). Nicotine is addictive. Smoking is responsible for the death of about 3,000,000 people each year. (Causes Cancer, heart disease) • Caffeine. Is an addictive drug found in tea and Coffee. It can cause difficulties in sleeping.

11. Why are ‘Recreational Drugs’ legal if they have so many problems? The Government takes massive amounts of money in taxes on alcohol and Tobacco. £

12. It’s a FACT!! When asked to list drugs, people often list illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine, cannabis etc. They tend to forget those legal ones we meet on a daily basis – alcohol and tobacco. These legal drugs actually cause the most deaths, crime and violence of any drugs in society.

13. Organisation Profile ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) is an organisation which disagrees with smoking. Its aim is to preserve the health of the community by educating everyone about the realities of smoking. It tries to challenge the tobacco industry, which it feels is not honest about the effects of tobacco. Check out ASH, and the truth about tobacco at www.ash.org.uk

14. Organisation Profile Alcohol Concern was set up in 1984, and was Charity of the Year 2000. It aims to reduce the incidence and costs of alcohol related harm, and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol related problems. It sees alcohol as a major issue, and wants to help with the solution. www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

15. The Law • Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971 – this classified drugs according to how dangerous they are. • Drug Trafficking Offences Act, 1986 – this allowed drug traffickers to be imprisoned and their property confiscated. • Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act, 1985 – This made it illegal to sell a substance to under 18s if the sales person thought it was going to be used for inhaling.

16. Name two of each class of Drug A, B, C….

17. Official Classifications. • Class A Drugs. These include Ecstasy, cocaine, morphine, opium, LSD and heroin (smack). If a person is found possessing these they can expect 7 years in prison. A life sentence can be given for dealing in A class drugs. • Class B Drugs. These include barbiturates (acidic drug) and amphetamines (Uppers and Downers) Cannabis. If a person is found possessing Class B drugs they can expect 5 years in prison. 14 years can be given for Dealing. • Class C Drugs. These include Anabolic steroids. If a person is found in possession they can expect 2 years in prison . 5 years can be given for dealing in class C drugs.

18. Classification of Drugs

19. Illegal Drugs Cocaine Class A Amphetamines Class B Heroin Class A Cannabis Class B Anabolic Steroids Class C These are just a few of the many illegal drugs around in society.

20. ‘Soft’ Drugs Physically non-addictive drugs. Usually, people are referring to Cannabis. These are illegal but are seen as less dangerous than ‘Hard’ Drugs. Initially taken to give feelings of pleasure. User may become psychologically dependent on them so larger doses needed. Example is Cannabis ‘Hard’ Drugs Illegal addictive drugs, class A, extremely dangerous. Body relies on drug and after a while will only work ‘normally’ with the drug. People become addicted very quickly. Examples are:- Cocaine, Crack and Heroin. ‘Soft’ and ‘Hard’ Drugs.

21. Organisation Profile Release was set up in 1967, and is the world’s longest running drugs charity. It tries to provide a range of services dedicated to meeting the health, welfare and legal needs of drug users and those who live/work with them. They provide information and legal support. Check out their work on: www.release.org.uk

22. The Risks! • Health risks – short and long term • Financial problems • Uncertainty – do you really know what you are buying? • Criminal risks • Becoming isolated

23. Drugs in Sport • Since the earliest of times people have found that certain drugs enable them to achieve high standards in sport. • The use of drugs can obviously provide unfair advantages and the athletes now have to face drug tests as drug taking is seen as a form of cheating. • Some drugs are banned in some sports but not others. • Anabolic steroids these create muscles which would greatly assist a sprinter but would hinder along distance runner. These steroids can cause heart attacks, fertility problems and personality disorders like ”Roid Rage” where people have committed violent crime because of their steroid abuse.

24. FOR * Supply would be controlled so no need to commit crimes to get the drug No massive profits so drug pushers would disappear Addicts would seek help Police would be freed up to solve other crimes. AGAINST Hard drugs are very dangerous, society has a duty to stop them being used More people would take them because it would be seen to be acceptable Greater risk of young people becoming addicted to them Should ‘Hard’ Drugs be legalised?

25. FOR It is not physically addictive and is less harmful than alcohol. It is helpful in relieving the suffering of people with illnesses like multiple sclerosis – this is only a small number. Legalising cannabis would free up police to deal with more serious offences. AGAINST Long term effects of taking cannabis have been found to be harmful It can lead people on to take hard drugs (gateway drug) Can cause dangerous driving – like alcohol and stays in the body longer than alcohol. People can become psychologically dependent on cannabis Should Cannabis be Legalised?

26. Christian Attitudes to Drug Abuse Alcohol – some Christians do not drink alcohol such as Salvation Army, others like C of E and Catholics see nothing wrong in this as long as it is controlled. Wine is used at the Eucharist. Most Christians are opposed to the use of illegal drugs because they believe it is important to obey the law. Also it would be disrespecting the body God has given – sanctity of life and ‘you are God’s temple’ Christians see it as their duty to help addicts – work of David Wilkerson in USA and Jackie Pullinger in Hong Kong. Christian are opposed to the use of performance enhancing drugs as it is a form of cheating Paul told his followers they must ‘run a straight race.’

27. Yeldall Bridges This is a Christian centre providing residential rehabilitation for men aged 18-50 with serious drug or alcohol problems. The initial programme lasts 3-6 months and includes: Individual and group therapy Learning about life skills, attitudes etc Recreation e.g. sport Daily work in the house or grounds Further skills training e.g. literacy, numeracy and food hygiene The second stage lasts 3-4 months, residents live in flats and prepare for independent living. After completing the programme there is aftercare for up to a year.

28. Sikh Attitudes to Drug Abuse Smoking is forbidden in the Khalsa vows (Kurahit). The ‘body is a temple’ built by God so each person should respect it and not harm it by taking non-medicinal drugs. The use of illegal drugs is forbidden as it is important to have a healthy mind and body. However it has been known for the ‘Nihangs’ of Punjab who protect the Sikh historic shrines to take drugs to help with meditation. Alcohol should not be used, “By drinking one loses sanity … and incurs the displeasure of God” “Intoxicated with opium, cannabis and alcohol people forget good deeds and … wander in the life of confusion.” Bhai Gurdas Ji

29. Sikh Welfare & Awareness Team • The Sikh Welfare and Awareness Team (SWAT) is a small new charitable organisation focusing on creating Substance Awareness, Crime Diversion and providing the youth with activities and organised events to participate in. Its primary function is to establish relationships amongst the youth and to provide education and support to combat the Drug and Alcohol abuse within our community. SWAT aims to bring together the local Sikh community and focus on projects which benefit the youth of today. • Other areas of focus are: • Providing a platform for families who need support through a crisis. • Providing helpful advice and Counselling Services for the youth and families who are affected by Drug and Alcohol related issues. • Increase the well being of the youth(particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds) by involving them in various sporting activities, fun and educational events. • Directing the youth towards established Training/Apprenticeship programmes and Education opportunities. • They are based in Southall, Middlesex. E-mail address: info@swatuk.org