Kia ora welcome back or welcome to my blog. Today I will be sharing my health Assessment around drugs.
- Drug name. The medication I will be covering is Ritalin, or otherwise known as methylphenidate.
- Street Names (Other names for the drug) Common names for Ritalin include; poor mans cocaine, r-ball, Skittles, rides, kids cocaine, diet coke, vitamin R and more.
- Explain in detail what the drug is. The drug focuses on two main brain chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine, and helps them work. These chemicals help improve overall focus and hyperactivity for those with ADHD. when used not as a perscription someone may feel energised, excited or an overall “Buzz” like feeling.
- Explain what the drug looks like (provide pictures
- How is it used? This medication is taken orally as a pill. As a prescription drugs those who take it use it to help improve focus, anxiety and overall hyperactivity. The people who are prescribed this medication have a condition called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD can present as struggling to focus, hyper fixating on certain things, or overall hyperactivity. Those who may take it for a non-medical reason could be for overall thrill of the medication since it is a form of stimulant.
- What influences adolescents/teenagers to use drugs and why? (cover P.I.S influences) There are many form of influences that could affect somebody to start taking drugs. A common influence is peer pressure. This usually happens because you are hanging alone with close friends, and possibly new ones and they all start partaking in the use of a drug and may start offering it to you, or handing it to you with the presumption you want to partake, this is an interpersonal influence. A personal influence is your own curiosity, sometimes you have access to medications and are curious of the true affects if you take more than usual or aloud. A societal impact would be a movie promoting drugs, normalising it and causing somebody to try it out because of the glorification of the drug.
- Explain the positives and negatives associated with the use of this drug? To answer this question, you need to include information on:
(i) Explain the Short term and Long term effects on wellbeing (cover P.I.S effects)
A mental and emotional impact of this drug is the help that Ritalin has for those who have ADHD, it’s a short term effect but ultimately helps them throughout the day, this is a personal impact, and is a positive impact. A physical impact is increased heart rate, this is a long term impact because of how long the use of this medication and its side effect last, this is a personal issue and a negative impact. A social impact of Ritalin is being able to focus and remember to do things like contact friends and family, this a long term impact because these small things help a friendships thrive, this is an interpersonal impact, and this is a positive imppact. A spiritual impact of Ritalin would be going against your personal morals and using drugs, this a short term affect because it last short while, it is a personal experience, this is a negative impact.
(ii) A short paragraph explanation of how the stated impacts on wellbeing interrelate (are connected) e.g. if xxxx effects occur, what does this mean for a person’s physical and therefore, their mental and emotional wellbeing?
- 8. What are the laws or restrictions of your chosen drug and what are the penalties? Ritalin is a Class B medication because it contains something called methylphenidate. Those who are persrcibed this medication must be diagnosed with ADHD and see a doctor before being prescribed this medication. Those who may start this medication may start on low doses to see the effect before considering raising the dose. Since Ritalin is a class B drug if you are caught distributing, selling or misusing the drug you can be charged with up to a $500 fine and 3 month imprisonment.
- Explain what strategies you would suggest to a person between the ages of 13-18 about things that they could do to keep themselves safe around your chosen drug? There are many different methods or techniques somebody could use to help with drug use or to keep yourself safe around drugs. With Ritalin it’s best to understand the six rights about giving and taking medication so that you can take it correctly. The six rights are; right time, right dose, right person, right medication and right expiration. Keeping within these guidelines makes sure you are taking the medication safely without harming yourself or others. Another method is being assertive if somebody offers you their Ritalin. Being assertive makes sure you are clear about your boundaries without hurting others. The last method is thinking about and understanding your boundaries and morals around drugs and medication. The best way to do this is through journaling, you are able to string your thoughts into clear ideas and words on paper. This method is the best for fully understanding what your what and how.
Task 2
Sources: https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/ritalin.html.
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/adhd-medicines.html?WT.ac=p-ra
https://kiwiherb.co.nz/blogs/blog-kiwiherb-new-zealand/ritalin-use-and-regulations-in-new-zealand
https://www.criminallawyersnz.co.nz/blog/navigating-drug-offenses-in-new-zealand-a-guide-to-the-law-penalties-and-legal-options