Society

12/10/2026

Link to today’s work: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s0Eez5vGEzgmunNppa98YEJI0Nucqejed9gO9SshFt8/edit?tab=t.0

12/10/26 – Voting Lesson 1

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qB_t_egvNXGd7XDbz4slaZqF4eB5Q-ZNVa4QP4oQKxc/edit?tab=t.0

Party Pills.

Also sometimes referred to as club drugs, rave drugs, herbal highs, pep pills, ect. Party Pills are an illegal drug, a substance that was made to mimic illegal drugs without the addictiveness and harmful side effects. Party pills come in a bunch of varieties- bright colors, shapes, sizes and often looking like candy. This drug can be taken by eating them, snorting them or injecting them

some reasons for teenagers or people to take this drugs might be influences from their family or friends, peer pressure or societal pressure and the need/want to fit in.

• Personal. Some teenagers take party pills out of curiosity or because they need an escape from all their problems. They might have issues with their mental health or they could be going through a hard time due to school and activities outside of school.

• Interpersonal. This can look like peer pressure, by their friends telling them or forcing them to take it. Or they can be influenced by their environment (friends and family) and normalize having drugs around, which later on could be the reason for drug use.
• Societal. Kids are easily influenced by trends, popular things and the desire to be popular. The mindset of wanting to fit in with everyone, wanting to be “normal” can easily affect children into thinking that they have to be like everyone else by taking these drugs.

There a bunch of side effects of using this drug, both being positive and negative, being personal, interpersonal and sometimes societal. Some side effects could be that:

• It changes and affects your sociability. Sometimes it gives you confidence, makes you friendly, boosts your mood and makes you happier. It’s a short term effect that positively impacts your relationships with others thus making it interpersonal. Along with it boosting your social wellbeing it also enhances your mental wellbeing because the people surrounding you creates a positive environment that influences you to grow and become a more happier person. 
• The physical side effects when incorrectly used while taking this drug includes, kidney and liver toxicity, hyperthermia, seizures, cardiac disorders. These side effects that you might experience can create long term problems and could be dangerous, turning into serious problems that can quickly escalate IF misused or if left untreated which can personally affect your physical self and your mental health, leaving your relationships and spiritual wellbeing impacted too.

Party Pills are classified as a Class C1 drug so It’s illegal to import, export, sell, possess, or to use. The penalty is 8 years in prison or one year jail and a 1000 dollar fine or if caught possessing it it can be a 500 dollar fine and 3 months prison. 

Though this drug is not legal in New Zealand, if you were to get your hands on this drug you could do the following to ensure your or the people around yous safety:

• Make sure they are in a safe environment. That they are at home or in a secure place where there are no dangerous risks and there is help nearby or at least is a place where you can reach people. 
• Make sure you are with the right people who are capable of helping you or getting help in case something goes wrong.
• Inform the people around you so they are aware of your situation and what you might be getting in.
• There are sober or clean people nearby to help you or supervise you.
• Make sure that you take the drug properly and ensure you are correctly consuming it.
• Don’t take the drug if you are not able or cant- If you are pregnant, if you haven’t eaten, if you have an illness or if your weight, height, diet, gender does not support you taking the drug. 
• Don’t take too much or make sure not to take more than your body can allow.

---

Scenario: It is the start of interval; you receive a text. The text is from your friend. Your friend tells you to meet them at the back of the field to consume party pills with them. 

 

Option ONE: You say yes and go to the back of the field to do it.

Consequences: You end up getting high in class (Negative), you can’t focus (Negative), don’t get any work done and the teacher notices (Negative), you get in trouble with the school and your parents (Negative). You get in trouble with the police because you possessed an illegal drug (Negative). 

Feelings: You feel sad and depressed because of how much your parents got mad at you, how you got in trouble with your teachers and possibly the police too (Negative). You feel embarrassed/ashamed that now you have to face the consequences of your actions and you also feel guilty that you did the wrong thing (Negative). 

 

Option TWO: You politely say no and don’t go.

Consequences: Your friend doesn’t care that much but distances herself from you (Negative), you do your work (positive), nothing bad happens, you stay on top of your classes (positive).

Feelings: You’re happy that you were brave enough to tell your friend (positive), happy that you finished your work (positive), but you still feel a bit sad because you noticed that she’s not close with you anymore (Negative).

 

Option THREE: You get scared and suggest taking the drugs after school at a nearby park.

Consequences: Your friend thinks you’re pretty cool (positive), you get high and overdose because your friend thinks it’s okay too since school is finished (Negative), you both get high in the park (Negative). You end up not getting home that night and get in trouble in the morning with your parents and the police (Negative).

Feelings: You feel sick and hung over (Negative). You’re sad because your parents are disappointed in you and mad, you’re upset too because you have to face your consequences with the police (Negative). 

 

The best option for you to take is option 2. This option not only helps you protect your physical and mental health from not taking the harmful substance and suffering the painful side effects but it also enhances your social wellbeing- It keeps your relationship with your parents, guardians or even teachers healthy and safe so you won’t upset them or create problems with them. This also boosts your spiritual wellbeing as it heightens your morals, it strengthens your values and what you believe and stand for- if you think taking drugs is not the right thing to do, and or if you break or abide by the set laws around this situation.

✼　 ҉　 ҉　 ҉   Introduction   ҉　 ҉　 ҉　✼

Hi Bloggers!

This term week 5 we were learning all about electricity and how it works. We learnt about electrons (negatively charged and positively charged electrons) and how neutrons work and what they do. One fact I that learn’t was that negatively charged electrons and positively charged electrons attract each other, and on the other hand a positive electron to a positive electron, and a negative electron to a negative electron repel each other.

✼　 ҉　 ҉　 ҉   The Electron Journey   ҉　 ҉　 ҉　✼

I was an electron, happily attached to my balloon. Suddenly the balloon was rubbed against a jumper. As it moved back and forth I was pulled away from the balloon and onto the jumper.

At first it felt strange. I was now stuck on the jumper with lots of electrons. We were all crowded together and the rubbing that happened the more electrons joined us. This was called buildup. I could feel the tension growing because there were many electrons in one place.

Then suddenly I saw a conductor nearby. I felt a pull towards it. In an instant I jumped from the jumper to the conductor! Other electrons moved too spreading out the charge and balancing everything again.

What a journey! I had gone from being on the balloon to being stuck on a jumper and finally making a tiny electric jump, to the conductor.

✼　 ҉　 ҉　 ҉   Part two of my blog   ҉　 ҉　 ҉　✼

Circuit

─── () ─── /// ─── (A) ───

│______________________________│

Power supply: Gives energy to the circuit.

Lightbulb: Changes energy into light and heat.

Resistor: Reduces the current.

Rheostat: Changes the resistance.

Ammeter: Measures current.

Voltage and Current

If voltage goes up and resistance stays the same current goes up too.

Where does the energy go?

The light bulb changes energy into light and heat.

✼　 ҉　 ҉　 ҉   Thanks for reading, see you on my next blog!   ҉　 ҉　 ҉　✼

Cocaine.

Other names for cocaine,Booger sugar,nose candy,snow,charlie, and coke.

What is cocaine,Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant drug which is made from the leaves of the south American coca plants.

Cocaine is a small white powder similar to baking soda or powder.

How is cocaine used,Cocaine is used via snorting,inhaling,smoking,or swallowing.The most common of these methods is snorting because it causes a quick high usually a few minutes due to it being absorbed into the soft tissue and blood vessels of the nose being the most efficient way to get high on cocaine.

 

What influences teenagers and adolescents to do drugs in the first place,I think that family life will have a major impact on how a child starts doing drugs,because if a child is raised in a home where it is normal for that type of behavior a child may just begin to mimic this habit,This is interpersonal.Another influence may be peer pressure,a child may be trying to fit in with their friends and they believe that doing drugs is the only way to do this,but this doesn’t form any real connections,This is also interpersonal.

 

It is the start of interval; you receive a text. The text is from your friend. Your friend tells you to meet them at the back of the field to use cocaine with them.

Options.

1.You go to the field meet with your friends and do the cocaine.

2.you don’t go to the field and don’t to the cocaine.

3.You tell a teacher about your friends doing cocaine behind the school field and they are caught.

 

 

Consequences.

1.You may become addicted to the cocaine and become unable to function normally without it,This will impact your Wa Hauora negatively as you will lose friends and become sad.

2.You will be completely fine but your friends may not like the fact that you didn’t want to do it with them and shun you out,This will impact your Wa Hauora both ways as you will lose friends impacting your Taha Whanau but you will stay true to yourself helping all your other parts of Wa Hauora.

3.You tell the teacher about it anonymously and your friends get busted and kicked out of school,This wont really effect you apart from Taha Whanau as many friends will need to move to a different school after being caught.

 

 

Feelings.

1.You will feel sad because you will become addicted and this will ruin your life for the most part.

2.You wont really feel any bad emotions you may feel proud for not doing what your friends did and being better than them.

3.You may feel guilty for snitching on your friends and not telling them.

 

 

Best option.I believe that the best option would be to not go with them and do cocaine,because if you don’t do cocaine you wont become addicted,any friends that stop hanging out with you after it probably aren’t good friends and you will have a clear conscience for not snitching on them.

Magic Mushrooms

Also known as shrooms, mushies, boomers, magics, etc.

magic Mushrooms are wild or grown fungi that contain natural mind-altering chemicals which cause hallucinations. They contain psilocybin and psilocin which are drugs that changes how your brain perceives reality.

Magic Mushrooms look like ordinary, small brown or tan mushrooms, but their exact appearance varies by species. Dried magic mushrooms typically look rusty brown, tan or of-white with darker patches. They are consumed by eating them fresh or dried, brewing them into tea, or mixing them with other foods and drinks. Certain cultures in Mexico and central america have documented the use of magic mushrooms in traditional practised and spiritual rituals.

Teenagers are influenced by a mix of different things to use drugs, most commonly peer pressure or a bad family environment. Underlying mental health issues can also have a big effect on the influence of using drugs. Teens feel a strong pressure to fit in and match their friends behavior to gain acceptance. Poor parenting can raise the risk of subtance abuse, as well as academic pressure or social anxiety can raise this risk aswell.

Positive short term effects of magic mushrooms include: elevated mood, spiritual experiences (deeper connection to people or nature), laughter and playfulness, mental clarity, and ego dissolution.

Negative short term effects include: Nausea and vomiting, coordination issues, sweating, chills or shivering, poisoning risk,  extreme anxiety or panic, confusion and disorientation,  and temporary drug induced psychotic reactions.

Positive long term effects include: reduced deppression and lower anxiety, cognitive flexibility, greater openness and deep spirituality.

Negative long term effects include: HPPD, persistent psychosis or mental health changes, trauma distress, risk of dangerous behavior (which could result in severe physical injury) and lingering fatigue.

Magic mushrooms are a class A drug, making recreation use, possession, and supply strictly illegal. Possession or use carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison and/or a $1000 fine. Supply, manufacture, cultivating, importing, or exporting carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. New Zealand police have operational guidelines that encourage a health-based discretionary approach (such as referrals to health services or warnings) rather than automatic prosecution for minor personal possession.

To a teenager I would suggest firstly understanding the risks that come particularly towards teenagers, avoid poisoning and contamination and follow basic harm reduction rules (eg never mix substances, tell a trusted person to stay with you and stay sober, control the setting they are in, and knowing when to seek emergency help.

Scenario: It is the start of interval; you receive a text. The text is from your friend. Your friend tells you to meet them at the back of the field to use magic mushrooms with them. 

option 1: Say no  and get the teacher to confiscate the drugs. – you don’t do drugs (pos), your friend doesn’t talk to you and makes everyone else stop being your friend (neg) – might feel lonely

option 2: Say yes and do the drugs with your friend. – you are considered “cool” (pos), you experience negative effects of the mushroom and injure yourself (neg) – might feel well liked, but worried about the safety of these drugs.

option 3: Say no and hang out with someone else. – you friend doesn’t mind (pos), you hang out with someone else doing something safe (pos) – might feel proud of saying no, and happy to hang out with someone else.

The best option is option 3 because it keeps you safe from doing something unsafe and that you don’t want to do, as well as still keeping your friends (whanau, Hinengaro). It also keeps you safe from physical negatives of the drugs (Tinana) and avoids peer pressure in the future.

 

Methamphetamine.

What are some street names of methamphetamine? Some examples are Meth, Chalk, Speed, Crank.

What is meth? Meth is a highly addictive drug stimulant that speeds up the nervous system. It can make you restless, cause rapid speech, increase heart rate and more.  

What does meth look like?  Meth comes in multiple different ways. But, Meth is commonly found as a white powder or a pill. There is another form of meth called crystal meth. Crystal meth looks like white glass shards with a blueish tint.

How is meth used? Meth can be consumed and used in different ways. For example, it can be smoked using a glass pipe. However, you can also consume it by swallowing, snorting it or injecting it.

What influences adolescents/teenagers to use drugs and why? Teenagers can get influenced easily by different situations. Breaking it down using P.I.S helps. For personal, teenagers can be influenced by their own curiosity, to find a new high and more. Interpersonal affects a small group of people. A good one to look at for interpersonal is peer pressure.

 Peer pressure is when someone tries to push you outside of your comfort zone to do something that can harm you, harm others or do something that isn’t the best decision.  Some people who can pressure you can be your friends, distant family members or your significant other.

Societal can be how actors show the high of the drug. Other things can be from music/music videos, ads, influences talking about it and more.

 What are the positives and negatives associated with the use of this drug? Taking methamphetamine has a lot more negative impacts than positive impacts. Some of the positive effects of methamphetamine is the high feeling, using it to cope, feeling happy and hyper and more. With all of the positive effects of meth, they are all short term. Meaning that after a while, these symptoms and impacts will slowly fade away.

Looking at the negative impacts of meth, there are a lot more impacts than the positive ones. One of them – and the biggest one being the risk of addiction. Meth is a highly addictive substance,  If you do develop an addiction of meth, it can lead to serious health problems. Things like permanent damage to blood vessel, lung damage or maybe even a stroke.

What are the laws or restrictions of your chosen drug and what are the penalties? In New Zealand, meth is classified as a “Class A drug” – which is the dangerous class of drugs you can take. Meaning it is highly illegal to make, supply, use or have meth. Possession of this drug can lead to a maximum penalty of 6 months imprisonment OR a $1,000 fine. But, with things like selling or manufacturing meth can lead to a maximum penalty of life in prison.

What strategies would you suggest to a person between the ages of 13-18 about things that they could do to keep themselves safe around your chosen drug? For starters, I would advise them to not take meth. Due to the fact it’s highly addicting, bad for your mental and physical health and more. But, if they were to try meth, I would say to make sure you are in a safe environment. Meaning that at least one person should be sober, an adult is near in case something bad does occur and it is in a place where you know you’re guaranteed to be safe – like your house, your friends house ect.

 Decision Making

Using this scenario, answer a- d. You can do this in paragraph format or create your own boxes.

Scenario: It is the start of interval; you receive a text. The text is from your friend. Your friend tells you to meet them at the back of the field to use meth with them. 

1. State what 3 options are that you have in this scenario.
2. Explain what the consequences are of each of these options. (Positive and negative consequences of each option are higher-level thinking.)
3. c. Explain what the feelings are that a person would have based on each consequence. (Positive and negative consequences of each option are higher-level thinking.)
4. d. What is the best option for you to take? State why taking this option is the best option for the 4 areas of wellbeing.

Tell a staff member a student has drugs at school.	Your friendship with this friend can stop because you told a staff member. (NEG) Everyone stays safe and sober during school. (POS)	You feel sad about impacting your friendship with your friend. You also might feel worried about getting called “the class snitch”.
Politely decline the offer and find someone else to  hangout with.	You stay sober at school and find a better group of friends to hangout with (POS) You couldn’t find anyone else to hangout with, so you have to sit by yourself. (NEG)	You feel proud of yourself because you didn’t cave in and take the drugs. The morals you hold are still not impacted, meaning you don’t feel as much guilt as you would if you were to say yes to the drug.
Cave in and take the drugs.	You found a new way to relief stress and the new “high” (POS) You get caught being high at school, leading you to get stood down. (NEG)	You feel a sense of guilt about taking meth during school. Even though the high lasts, when it crashes down you might feel sorry, sad or even disappointed in yourself.

 

The best option would be option number two. Option number two is the best because it keeps you safe mentally and physically since you didn’t take meth during school hours.  This reduces the negitive outcomes and effects that meth could have over your overall health. This option also maintains your taha whanau because you are not allowing the situation becoming worse and affecting your friendship with this friend. It also supports your taha wariua because your staying true to your personal beliefs, values and morals.

Overall, choosing option two helps your hauora by making responsible decisions that does not negatively impact your wellbeing, health, relationships and values.

Panadol (or paracetamol) is a common medication used to treat things such as pains and fevers. Panadol can be used for many things, including headaches/migraines, various pains including toothaches, period pains and fevers as mentioned before. Panadol works by blocking the body from making prostaglandins, which are chemicals that your body releases when tissue is damaged. When these chemicals are released, they trigger pain signals in your nerves. As a result, if the prostaglandins are blocked from being released, so do the pain signals from getting fired. Unlike what you may expect, instead of acting in tissues near the point where the pain started, the Panadol mainly works in your brain and spinal cord since those parts are like the central control room of your body. Panadol also prevents fevers by targeting the hypothalamus which is the part of your brain responsible for managing temperature, among other things. When it reaches that part of your brain, it blocks the chemical messengers that normally raise temperature for infections.

Panadol can be used in many different forms including, as you may have seen, Panadol tablets which you swallow while using water. There are also Panadol solubles, which are tablets you drop into water and dissolve into a drink. This allows people who struggle to swallow normal capsules with water a way to use Panadol without having to use capsules. There are also Panadol syrups specifically designed to be consumed orally without anything else by infants or young kids. Because of how safely it is perceived, how easy it is to get and the narrow safety window (taking even a small amount over the daily limit can be toxic) people, especially younger people like adolescents who lack general life experience can frequently overdose without realizing it. Though this can be avoided relatively easily by just telling them to pay attention and limit their use as people are usually worried about their own health. When overdosing, your body breaks the Panadol down into a toxic byproduct known as N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (or NAPQI). Normally, the NAPQI you get from consuming normal amounts of Panadol gets dealt with by the liver. When you overdose however, the liver gets overwhelmed as the NAPQI attacks the cells and causes liver failure. Alongside this, it is possible for the NAPQI to spread to other areas of your body, potentially causing multiple organs to fail and in critical cases, death. Overdosing on Panadol could not only cause damages to your physical Hauora, it could also damage every other area. The social aspect may be affected by the fact that over people may feel pity or a condescending feeling towards you if you overdose on the commonly perceived “safe” Panadol. This as a result, would also harm your spiritual well-being by potentially harming your connections with your community etc. Other people however, may try hard to take care of you, strengthening bonds. Because of all of this and the fear for your own health, your mental well-being would likely also be threatened. To protect you from potentially overdosing on Panadol (paracetamol), different countries around the world could have varying laws pertaining to it. Generally though, the laws could be clumped into limiting pack sizes and controlling where it can be purchased.

Scenario: It is the start of interval; you receive a text. The text is from your friend. Your friend tells you to meet them at the back of the field to use (insert your drug) with them.

For options in this scenario, there really aren’t many serious ones since this is Panadol. Though options will still be provided.

1. Since this is Panadol, you can just say you don’t feel like using your prescription medicine with them at the back of the field for no reason. If they want to use it themselves they can just do it in the bathroom or out in the open. The consequences of this action could be your friend confesses that they want to do something else at the back of the field which could lead to numerous developments. Either that or they say “yeah fair, what was I thinking?”
2. If you are in need of pain relief, you still say no because there’s no reason to go out to the back of the field specifically to use your prescription medicine. The consequences of this action could be your friend says “yeah fair, don’t wanna tire you out. Why did I even suggest that??”
3. You say yes because it gives an opportunity for laughs since it looks like you’re using illegal drugs secretly and you have no reason not to go. The consequences of this could be a stronger bond with your friend but at the same time if you get caught you could be accused of things you didn’t do.

The best option in this scenario depends on how you’re feeling. For example if you are feeling enough pain that it warrants the use of Panadol but you can stomach it for a joke, the third option may be appealing for some people.

 

This is my drug assessments in this link.

Magic mushrooms

 

 

• Molly/Mandy

• E

• X

• XTC

• Rapture

• Bliss

• Euphoria

• Elation

What is Ecstasy?-

• Ecstasy is an illegal synthetic drug that stimulant and a mild hallucinogen.

• Ecstasy works by flooding the brain with chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and nor-epinephrine Which gives the person a feeling of intense energy , emotional warmth, empathy, and euphoria.

• Ecstasy pills come in a huge variety of bright, pastel and dark colours because manufacturers add different dyes.

• Ecstasy is most commonly swallowed as a pill, tablet or capsule

Influence to use Ecstasy-

• Teenagers are driven to use ecstasy because of multiple reasons. Some of the main reasons are because of peer pressure (can be interpersonal or societal depends who/where they are), Could also be because people around them are doing it and their saying how great it is (can be interpersonal or societal depends on who/where they are)

Positives-

• Intense euphoria: Users experience a powerful sense of happiness, general well-being, and emotional warmth due to a massive release of serotonin.

• Increased energy: As a stimulant, it provides a surge of physical energy and alertness, allowing users to stay active or dance for extended periods.

• Reduced social anxiety: It significantly lowers inhibitions and fear responses, making individuals feel more confident, open, and secure in social settings.

Negatives-

• Bruxism: Users frequently experience involuntary jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding.

• Memory impairment: Frequent or high-dose use can damage serotonin axons, leading to long-term issues with concentration, memory, and cognitive focus.

• Toxic cutting agents: Street ecstasy pills are rarely pure and are frequently mixed with highly dangerous substances like fentanyl, PMA, or synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”).

Possession and personal use-

• Having any amount of ecstasy on you or in your property with you knowing is a criminal offence, The maximum punishment for this is 3 months in prison and/or a $500 fine. First time offenders usually only get a fine and skip jail time. possessing 5 grams or more (or 100 flakes, tablets, or capsules) legally creates a presumption that you possess the drug for supply, which shifts the legal burden to you to prove otherwise.

Supplying, dealing and manufacturing-

• If a person is caught dealing, supplying or manufacturing ecstasy pills, powder or flakes it is classified as Class B which can lead to 14 years in prison, With more strict rules enforced in prison. Supplying ecstasy includes selling, giving or even sharing a single pill with another person.

permitting premises or vehicles to be used-

• people can also face severe penalties if they allow their home, building, or car to be used by someone else to make, use, or transport ecstasy. If they are aware that this activity is happening on their property or in your vehicle, you can be charged. The maximum penalty for this offence is 7 years in prison, and the courts have the power to seize and confiscate any vehicles involved.

Safety-

• The safest choice is to avoid ecstasy entirely, but teenagers can reduce immediate risks by staying with sober friends and setting up a coded text plan with parents for a safe ride home. To prevent severe health complications, they should never mix substances, must sip water moderately (1–2 cups per hour depending on activity) to avoid dangerous overheating or water intoxication

Scenario: It is the start of interval; you receive a text. The text is from your friend. Your friend tells you to meet them at the back of the field to use Ecstasy with them. 

a. State what 3 options are that you have in this scenario.

1. Say yes and go to the back of the field with your friend.

2. Say No and stay with your other friends.

3. Say No and tell the teacher on your friend.

b. Explain what the consequences are of each of these options. (Positive and negative consequences of each option are higher-level thinking.)

1. You say yes and you do it with your friend (neg) and you gain more friendship status with your friend (Pos).

2. Your friend might get mad (neg) but you’ll stay out of trouble (Pos).

3. You’ll let a trusted adult know and can help stop your friend from harming themselves (Pos) You will probably lose a friendship (neg)

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what ketamine is and why people use it? Ketamine is a drug that can be used by doctors as an anaesthetic, but it can also be misused as a recreational drug.

In this blog, I will explain what ketamine is, what it looks like, its effects, the laws around it in New Zealand, and ways teenagers can make safe decisions around drugs.

 

1. what is the drug called?

The drug I have chosen is ketamine.

Ketamine is a dissociative drug. This means it can make a person feel separated from their body or surroundings.

3.Names it has

Ketamine has a few different names, including:

• K
• Ket
• Special K
• Kit Kat

4.What is ketamine

Ketamine is a drug that affects the brain and nervous system.Doctors can use it as an anaesthetic, which means it can make people less aware of pain and what is happening around them.

However, when ketamine is used without medical supervision,it can be dangerous. It can affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, movement and awareness.

5.what does ketamine look like

Ketamine can come in different forms.

It can be found as:

• A white or off-white powder
• A liquid
• Pills or tablets

It just  remember that you cannot always tell what an illegal drug contains just by looking at it.

 

6.How is ketamine used?

Ketamine can be given by medical professionals when it is being used as a medicine. When it is misused, people may take it in different ways, including swallowing, snorting or injecting it. Using ketamine without medical supervision can be dangerous because people may not know exactly what they are taking or how strong it is.

7.Why might teenagers use it?

There are lots of reasons why teenagers might try drugs. Three possible reasons are:

Peer pressure

A teenager might try a drug because their friends are doing it and they don’t want to feel left out.

Curiosity

Someone might be curious about what taking a drug feels like after hearing about it from friends or social media.

Stress or problems

Some people might use drugs because they are trying to escape from stress, difficult feelings or problems in their lives.

8.What are the positives and negatives?

positive effects

Ketamine is what  Doctors can use as an anaesthetic and for pain relief.

They  use it   in controlled medical situations where doctors  can monitor the person.

it is different from using ketamine for fun.

Short-term negative effects

Ketamine can cause:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Poor coordination
• Hallucinations
• Feeling disconnected from reality
• Nausea
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety or panic
• Problems with movement

someone who has taken ketamine may not be able to think or move normally. This could increase their chance of getting hurt.

Long-term negative effects

Regular or heavy ketamine use can cause problems such as:

• Memory problems
• Problems concentrating
• Mood changes
• Dependence
• Problems with the bladder
• Pain when urinating
• Liver and kidney problems

One serious problem linked to heavy ketamine use is damage to the bladder.

 

9.

Ketamine is a Class C controlled drug in New Zealand.

There are several laws that apply to ketamine.

Law 1 – Possession

It is illegal to unlawfully possess a controlled drug such as ketamine.

Law 2 – Supplying or selling

It is illegal to supply, sell or deal in controlled drugs.

Law 3 – Drug driving

Driving after taking drugs can be dangerous and illegal. Ketamine is included in New Zealand’s drug-driving testing system.

The exact punishment depends on the offence and the circumstances or it could be a big fine

 

10.How can teenagers stay safe around ketamine?

There are several things teenagers can do to protect themselves.

Say no

You don’t have to take a drug just because someone else is doing it.

You could simply say:

“No thanks, I don’t want to.”

Stay with people you trust

Spend time with friends who respect your choices and won’t pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do.

Have an exit plan

If you are somewhere where drugs are being used, have a way to leave or contact a trusted adult.

Talk to someone

If you are worried about drugs or someone is pressuring you, talk to a parent, teacher, counsellor or another trusted adult.

Don’t drive after taking drugs

Drugs can affect your reaction time, coordination and judgement.

We can think about hauora using Te Whare Tapa Whā.

Taha tinana – Physical wellbeing

Ketamine can affect your body by causing dizziness, poor coordination and other physical problems.

Taha hinengaro – Mental and emotional wellbeing

Ketamine can affect your thoughts and feelings and can cause confusion, anxiety or hallucinations.

Taha whānau – Relationships

Drug use can cause problems with friends, family and other relationships.

Taha wairua – Values and beliefs

Making safe decisions can help you feel confident about yourself and stay true to your values.

Conclusion

Ketamine is a drug that has important medical uses, but using it recreationally can be dangerous.

It can cause short-term effects such as confusion, dizziness and hallucinations. Regular or heavy use can also cause serious health problems.

In New Zealand, ketamine is a Class C controlled drug, and there are laws about possessing, supplying and driving while affected by drugs.

The most important thing I learned is that it is okay to say no. Looking after your hauora and making your own decisions is more important than giving in to peer pressure.

Sources

• Health New Zealand – Ketamine
• New Zealand Police – Illicit Drugs, Offences and Penalties
• New Zealand Legislation – Misuse of Drugs Act
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation – Ketamine

 

 

 

11.Decision-Making Scenario

The situation

It is the start of interval. Your friend texts you and asks you to meet them at the back of the field to use ketamine with them.

Option	Consequences	Feelings	Why?
1. Go and use ketamine.	I could become confused, sick or lose control of my movements. I could also get into trouble at school.	I might feel excited at first but could later feel worried, sick or regretful.	This could harm my physical and mental wellbeing.
2. Go but say no to the ketamine.	I wouldn’t take the drug, but my friend might pressure me to change my mind.	I might feel awkward but also proud that I said no.	It is safer than taking the drug, but I could still be around an unsafe situation.
3. Say no and stay at school.	I avoid taking ketamine and stay away from the situation.	I might feel nervous at first but relieved afterwards.	This is the safest option for my hauora because I am protecting myself from the risks of the drug.

My Decision

I would choose option 3.

I would tell my friend that I don’t want to take ketamine and stay at school. I could also tell a trusted adult if I was worried about my friend. I think this is best for my hauora because it protects my physical health, mental health, relationships and future.