Practical lesson drugs and awareness (2 hours) Text: Tashkent (Speaking, revision) drugs and awareness

PRACTICAL LESSON 2

DRUGS AND AWARENESS (2 hours)

Text: Tashkent (Speaking, revision)

2.1 DRUGS AND AWARENESS
Drugs are fascinating because they change our awareness. The basic reason people take drugs is to vary their conscious experience. Of course there are many ways to alter consciousness, such as listening to music, dancing, exercising, day dreaming and participating in religious rituals. The list is probably endless, and suggests that changing consciousness is something people like to do.

In remote Aboriginal communities and in town camps, life can be really tough, especially for young people. There is often little to do. People can feel caught between what their parents and elders say is important and the pressures and promises that western culture seems to offer. Community stress, boredom, frustration and peer pressure can draw people into drug using lifestyles.

The following diagram shows the three major influences on an individual's decisions about drug use. Addressing drug-related harm needs to consider the links between these different factors.