Drugs teachings

CHRISTIANITY:

dont you know that you yourselves are God's temple, and that God's spirit lives in you?

CHRISTIANITY:

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise

CHRISTIANITY:

it is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick

CHRISTIANITY:

wharever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me

(rehab)

CHRISTIANITY:

love your neighbour

CHRISTIANITY:

follow justice and justice alone

ISLAM:

Every intoxicant is Khamr and all Khamr is Haram (forbidden)

ISLAM:

Liquor, gambling, idols...are but abominations and Satanic devices. So turn wholly away from each of them that you may prosper.

ISLAM:

they keep you back from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer

ISLAM:

Concerning wine and gambling...in them is great sin...the sin is greater than the profit

CHRISTIANITY:

it is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to fall

DRUG - a substance which, when taken, affects the body or mind

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS - drugs legally obtained only with a doctor's consent

DRUG ABUSE - using drugs in a way that harms the user

ILLEGAL DRUGS - drugs which are illegal to possess, sell or use, put into three classifications according to their potential harm and addictiveness

SOCIAL DRUGS - legal drugs which are still addictive such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine

CLASS A - heroin, cocaine, LSD. Life in prison for supplying/7 years for possession

CLASS B -amphetamines, cannabis. 14 years for supply/5 years for possession

CLASS C -anabolic steroids, tranquilisers. 14 years for supplying/2 years for possession (if not legal)

• enjoy the taste/sensation
• addicted
• need to smoke to relax
• peer pressure
• growing up in a smoking household - normalised
• thinks it helps keep weight down
• following role models who smoke
• think it will not cause them har, even though it harms others
• think they will look antisocial if they refuse a cigarette when offered

• enjoy the taste
• pubs and nightclubs are good social venues and alcohol is part of the scene
• enjoy being under the influence
• addicted
• friends drink, so they join in
• family life encourages drinking e.g. at meal times
• associated with celebrating success/special events
• gives a person confidence
• peer pressure / advertising

CHRISTIANITY:

Smoking is discouraged for the harm it does, though it is left to individual choice.

CHRISTIANITY:

Drinking of alcohol not forbidden in moderation. Must use alcoholic wine in Holy Communion

ISLAM:

Many Muslims do not smoke because they do not want to harm the body Allah gave them, but smoking although discouraged, is forbidden only during the Ramadan fast.

ISLAM:

whilst the taking of drugs is condemned in Islam, followers are expected to help other Muslins who sucumb to the temptation of drugs

BUDDHISM:

Fifth Precept - abstain from the use of any intoxicating substance that can harm the mind

HINDIUSM:

A few hindu holy men use bhang - mild form of cannabis - however not permitted in mainstream hinduism.

RASTAFARIANISM:

Rastafarians allow the use of cannabis in order to reach a higher spiritual plane because it is a natural herb that God has provided

Effects of cannabis:

• 1000 people a year develop long-term psychotic illness due to cannabis use
• Mental health hospital admissions due to effects of cannabis rose by 63% from 2002-2007
• 500/week need medical treatment after using cannabis
• av. age of a first time user is 13, which raises fears about future mental health.
• Cannabis "gateway" drug - raises possibility of a habit which can develop into using class A's

ISLAM:

make not your own hands contribute to your destruction

SIKHISM:

there are four sins that are particularly serious [one of which is]...using tobacco

HINDUISM:

he must not get wilfully addicted to any...substance of self-gratification; he must try to overcome such dependance through will power

(rehab)

HINDUISM:

the mind of a drunken person becomes confused, then the confused mind commits sins...a wise person should never even try wine and other intoxicants

HINDUISM:

Drinking the wine, his intelligence departs, and madness enters his mind

BUDDHISM:

Right Action, shows metta

(rehab)

CHRISTIANITY:

Do not get drunk on wine, which will ruin you, but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit

CHRISTIANITY:

Drug abuse is the new slavery

BUDDHISM:

intoxicants affect concentration which affects meditation

BUDDHISM:

the root of suffering is craving and to reach Nirvana this has to be stopped

ROMAN CATHOLIC:

The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeuic grounds, is a grave offence