Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Awareness: Illegal Drug Awareness

Illegal Drug Awareness: Introduction

Single uses of an illegal drug can result in death.

When used as directed or prescribed by a doctor, drugs play an important part in maintaining overall health. They fight disease, provide relief for pain and suffering, and assist in physical and emotional recovery from diseases, illness, and pain. When abused, drugs become addictive and dangerous.

Most abused drugs are illegal or have no medical use. However, some are prescription drugs that are abused either by someone other than the individual to which the drug was prescribed or by failure (intentionally or unintentionally) to use as prescribed.

Single uses of an illegal drug can be deadly, but perhaps the greatest danger with illegal drugs is that they are addictive. Addiction is a dependence on a drug that is so strong that a person is unable to break away from the dependence.

Do people usually get physically addicted the first time they use a drug?

Usually they do not, but addiction can develop within the first few uses. Once addiction is established, it is extremely difficult to erase.