What can a friend do? - signs and actions to help

Oct 19, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

Guide on refusing drugs and responding to peer pressure, emphasizing staying in control, thinking logically, and seeking help from trusted adults. Explains what drugs are, how they affect emotions, thinking, and behavior, and the categories of depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Describes health and social dangers such as dependency, tolerance, HIV/AIDS risk, organ damage, blackouts, and overdose effects. Provides practical steps for friends, teachers, and parents, plus early signs of drug abuse including physical indicators, behavioral changes, and the importance of constructive confrontation and intervention.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

What can a friend do?

What a teacher can do

What a parent can do

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR

Physical signs

Behavioural evidence

KE MOJAIf offered drugs,a decision has to be made.It can't be postponed.FINE-Say"Ke Moja.I’m fine without drugs!"-Leave the scene-Change the subject-Suggest an alternative activity Just say NO′ wHOUT DRUGS-Give a reason:think of one and stick to itMake a joke about the offerIgnore the offer. -Laugh it off Learn to recognize when you are in a situation of pressure andstay in control.Act logically and quickly.Saw NO2 DFDaSWhat do drugs do to your body/system?People sometimes think that drugs,such as Dagga and Ecstasy,are not dangerous,but these drugs can damage your body and future prospects.Club drugsAlcoholMandraxStreet names:Street names:Ecstasy;e;cat;speed;ice;Cop;moonshine;mampoer;Dagga;pot;dope;zol;skyf;Mandies;buttons;Germans;roofie;roche;acid;LSD;dop;shooters;cocktails;boom;weed;Durban;poison;Thai white;junk. MX;whites;cremoras;pille.agitationmental deteriorationaccidents due to distorted perceptionmental stuporviolent tendenciesimpaired thinking and motor skillsanxiety leading to toxic psychosisdecreased sexual drivemalnourishmentcollapsed veins and abcessesrespiratory and circulatory collapsedepressionblackoutsON OVERDOSE:ON OVERDOSE:sexual dysfunctionON OVERDOSE:when used regularly,tolerance forinability to achieve or maintain erection.desired effect increases at a fasterhigh rate of HIV among injecting usersrate than that of respiratory-Don't try to deal with it alone.Find a trusted adult to # What can a friend do? What can a teacher do? talk to,or phone the Department of Social DevelopmentExperimentation occurs mostly at school going age.about the best way to go about helping and what theoptions are.-Teachers should obtain basic knowlege of the signs and-Stick by your friend,don't turn your back on them butsymptoms of drug abuse.make it clear what is and isn't acceptable behavior to you.Recognise early drug abuser and ensure intervention.-Parent Teacher awareness groups should be formed.-Suggest what they might do,but don't nag.They willmake their own decisions.What can a parent do? -Offer to go with them,or help to make a phone call ifthey do decide they want help. -Find out all you can about the available options for help.Don't bargain with or threaten them.-EMPLOY CONSTRUCTIVE CONFRONTATIONConfront your child in a firm yet supportive manner -Encourage them to believe that they can change and they can do something about their problem. -If necessary,consuit a professional. education DPUGSREPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFFDepartment of EducationTel:0123125688What are drugs?Fax:0123288401A drug is defined as a synthetic or natural chemical substance(other than food nutrients)that,when taken,change emotions.Drugs fall into threeDepartment Social DevelopmentThe use and abuse of drugs could lead to physical andcategories:National and Provincial Head offipsychological dependency with a build-up of tolerance*.Depressants:Gauteng TelEkurhuleni Tel 01182003:01135577Drugs are psycho-active substances that people take to changeheroin,harbiturates,Sedibeng Tel 01693020the way they feel,think or behave.mandrax,alcoholWest Rand TelDrugs can lead to HIV/AIDS as well as other sexuallyStimulants:Toll Free:080060101transmitted infections.cocaine,crack,ecstasy,amphetaminesSANCA*tolerance means the body gets used to the presence of the drug.higher doses become necessary to maintain the intensity of the effects.Hallucinogens:marijuana,LSD Department:Education # SIGNS TO LOOK FOR DANGERS of ABUSING drugs Physical signs The following are SOME problems caused by abuse of various drugs:Alchohol on breathStained FingersMalnourishmentRed EyesSexual DysfunctionDagga smell on breath or clothesDamage to Heart,Lungs and BrainPresence of pipes or bottlenecksComa,Respiratory failure Glue stains on clothing※DEATH Behavioural evidenceHere are some of the signs of drug abuse Guilt behaviour,as if they think they are being naughty Untruthful stories,avoids eye contact. Untidiness,previously tidy Disinterest i

FAQs

How should someone respond when offered drugs?

Say no clearly, give a reason and stick to it, suggest an alternative activity, and ignore the offer. Stay aware of pressure situations and keep control by acting logically and quickly.

What do drugs do to the body and why are they dangerous?

Drugs can change emotions and behavior, create psychological dependency, and lead to tolerance where higher doses are needed. They can damage the heart, lungs, and brain and increase risks such as HIV/AIDS through sexual transmission and injecting use.

What early signs of drug abuse should be looked for?

Physical signs include bad breath or stained fingers, malnourishment, red eyes, sexual dysfunction, and the presence of pipes or bottles. Behavioural signs include guilt-like behavior, untruthful stories, avoiding eye contact, untidiness, disinterest in school, mood swings, and changes in friends.

Oct 19, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana