Religious attitudes to drug abuse

Mind & Body

Effects of

legally

accepted drugs

Money made

from Alcohol

Effects of drug

takingClassifi

cations

of drugs

Rehabilitation

Why do people drink alcohol?

• They like the taste of the drink• They meet with others in pubs so drink

socially• They enjoy the effect alcohol has on them• They do it with friends and family at home• Peer pressure• It gives them confidence • They are influenced by advertising• They are addicted to alcohol

Beliefs and teachings Christianity

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;

whoever is led astray by it is not wise

Proverbs 20:1

Buddhism and drugs

• All Buddhists follow the Five Precepts, which means that they live without harming any living creature.

• The Fifth Precept is:• I undertake the precept to refrain from

intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness

• Therefore avoiding alcohol is part of Buddhist philosophy.

Why do people smoke tobacco?

• They enjoy smoking• They need to smoke in order to relax• Their friends smoke• They have grown up in a family where

people smoke, so it seems normal (socialisation)

• They believe it helps keep their weight down

• They follow role models who smoke e.g. famous people

• They are addicted to nicotine

Why do people take illegal drugs?

• They enjoy taking drugs on a night out• They take them to cope with a crisis in their life• Their friends take drugs (peer pressure)• They have grown up in a family where people

take drugs, so it seems normal• They are no longer satisfied with legal drugs e.g.

alcohol• They mix with people who take and deal in illegal

drugs• They follow role models who smoke e.g. famous

people• They are addicted to them• Part of their faith (Rastafarians)

Religious attitudes towards drugs

• Christians do not approve of the taking of illegal drugs, including most recreational drugs, especially those which can alter the mind and make people incapable of praying or being alert to God.

• They would also not agree with breaking the law.• Christians will take prescription drugs when

appropriate.• Alcohol is permitted by most Christians and, of

course, is normally used for the celebration of the Eucharist.

• The Salvation Army and the Methodist Church have always been opposed to the use of alcohol because of the bad effects it can have on people’s behaviour and lifestyle.

• Tobacco is not condemned by the churches but many Christians are concerned about the effect which it can have on people’s health, and many Christians would make a positive decision not to smoke.

Religious and moral teachings

Don't you know that your body is a temple that belongs to the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit, whom you

received from God, lives in you. You don't belong to yourselves.

1 Corinthians 6:19 So, whether you eat or drink, or

whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Buddhism and drugs

• All Buddhists follow the Five Precepts, which means that they live without harming any living creature.

• The Fifth Precept is:• I undertake the precept to refrain from

intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness

• Therefore avoiding drugs is part of Buddhist philosophy. How might a young western Buddhist find keeping this precept?

Buddhism and social drugs• The Buddha was against any form of alcohol

consumption, even in moderation, because of the effect it has on the mind. Mindfulness is central to Buddhist philosophy. This concept requires a constant awareness of changes occurring in the mind and body.

• Mindfulness enables the individual to react wisely to emotions and sensations when they arise. Alcohol distorts the mind and makes it impossible to practice this.

• Karma is another Buddhist teaching inconsistent with the use of alcohol. The Buddha taught that each individual must be responsible for one's own Karma. This involves being responsible for the consequences of one's actions, speech and thoughts.

• Alcohol tends to encourage irresponsibility. It is possible to generate much negative karma while under the influence of alcohol.

Effects of Drug Abuse – a few ideasIndividual Family Society

Miss or frequently be late for work or school

Family obligations (bringing up children

etc) neglected

Driving while high on drugs causes dangers

for others

Having unprotected sex Drugs can bring drug dealers – other issues

into the home

Theft for drugs or drug money

Arrested for behaviour while on drugs

Brings extra stress to the family

Family isolated

Prostitution for drug money

Develop mental health issues – lack of control

– become depressed/suicidal

£ worriesSteal from familyObliged to care

Financial strain on NHS & the tax payer

Life revolves around drugs

Break down in relationships/trust with

partner, siblings, parents

Getting into trouble/arrested

Drug Classification• Since the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971 became law,

illegal drugs have been graded as class A, B or C• Drug classification is based on how harmful and

addictive a drug is• The most harmful and addictive are put into class

A, the least harmful and addictive in class C• By doing this the government is able to impose

far greater sentences for possessing or selling class A drugs than for class C drugs

“All illegal drugs should be Class A with Class A punishments”

What do you think? Explain your opinion.

The Classification of Cannabis

• Cannabis is currently a class B drug.• It was graded class B by the Misuse

of Drugs Act 1971.• In response to arguments put

forward the government reclassified it as a class C drug in 2004.

• In 2009, cannabis reverted to a class B drug

The debate…• Which class of drug does cannabis belong to?

Class B• In what year was cannabis reclassified for third

time? 2009• Give one argument for reclassification of

cannabis. E.g 500 people a week need medical treatment after using cannabis

• Give one argument against reclassification. Eg alcohol and tobacco have a worse effect on individuals and society

• Explain how drugs are classified. ABC, depending on how harmful and addictive they are.

Caffeine the facts

• It is a mild stimulant but it is not illegal• It is naturally found in coffee, tea, chocolate and

soft drinks• It can be taken in tablet form to help keep people

awake• Can become addictive, interrupt sleep patterns,

cause digestion problems and anxiety disorders• Regular users can suffer withdrawal symptoms if

their intake is reduced.

How to deal with addiction: Rehabilitation

• Many celebrities such as Pete Doherty and Amy Whinehouse have used private rehabilitation clinics to help beat addictions.

• They can be very expensive so are not accessible for all, so not everyone can get the help they need.

• A prison sentence, which offers free rehabilitation, could be a way to become free from an addiction. But there are often many temptations in prison to stay on drugs and not all prison are able to offer the service.

• Rehabilitation has a low long-term success rate.• People make progress while being treated but there is no

‘cure’ for an addiction. • Once a person is ‘clean’ they may return to their previous

environment where the risks will still be. • Some manage to change their lives and then help others.

Religious Views• All religions condemn illegal drugs, but believers

are keen to help people once they are addicted.• Many Christians follow teachings in the Bible to

encourage them to help others where ever they can.

• Christians would disagree with the body being abused by using drugs or alcohol as this goes against the sanctity of life

• Buddhists see helping others as the ‘right action’ from the eight fold path by showing compassion (karuna) and kindness (metta).

• Religious people may volunteer to work for a charity or counsel addicts.