Who Uses Drugs and Why?

In Britain caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and barbiturates are all legal drugs. They are similar to illegal ones in that, sooner or later, they can affect you so that you find yourself depending on a regular supply of them. The extent of dependence varies according to the person and the drug, but most people find it harder to give up even cigarettes or tea, than say, apples or cheese. This is because most of us smoke, have a coffee or drink either as a way of calming ourselves down and relieving tension or as a way of bucking ourselves up, finding extra energy. These drugs become associated with their power to relieve certain feelings and a habit is formed.

Stronger drugs – such as opiates and cocaine – can be habit-forming in just the same way. The drug taker comes to rely on the effect of the drug to produce a sensation of well-being and this reliance increases, until eventually dependence on a continual supply of the drug is established and an addictive habit is formed.

People who are addicted to drugs can be of any age and walk of life. Their reasons for taking drugs are as varied as the environments in which they live. In some cases, addiction will be life-long; in others, it may be a temporary phase which can be broken out of.

In the left hand column there are notes on 5 cases of typical drug takers. Read them and try to match them with the most likely futures from the column on the right; indicate your choices in the boxes below:

Robin Haulk. Magazine For a Change, No. 2, 2001

Check and compare your answers with your partner.

Language Focus

1. Find words or phrases that have a similar meaning to the following:

– earn enough money to survive (1);

– confined to bed due to illness (2);

– depressed (5);

– something which brings a person back to health (A);

– continue to use (C);

– isolate from (F).

Some of the language in the notes you have read is very colloquial. Can you work out what the following mean from the context in which they occur?

– dropped out (1);

– pad (4);

– one-night stands (4);

– for kicks (4 and 5).

Speech Activities

1. Here are two more typical cases. Choose one and write what you think his future is likely to be.

2. Discuss these drug cases with the rest of the group. How many of them would be typical of your own country? For more ideas and new information read the supplementary texts Drug Abuse is Spreading Fast and Alarm over Teenagers Trying Drugs, Clubbers Grow Rich on Drug Profits.

Reading two