Religion and Morality - Unit 4 - Drug abuse (Social Drugs+)

Tobacco: Used in cigarettes (and cigars) - it contains nicotine which is an addictive social drug

Alcohol: an addictive social drug found in beer, wine, spirits, etc.

• Tobacco causes lung cancer, bronchitis, heart diseases and more
   
• Alcohol causes damage to the liver and heart and obesity
   
• Over 12,000 people die in the UK per year as a result of smoking
   
• Over 30,000 people die in the UK per year as a result of drinking alcohol
   
• Since July 2007, smoking has been illegal in public places
   
• Nicotine and alcohol can harm a baby during pregnancy
   
• Alcohol is a depressant
   
• Excessive alcohol can lead to antisocial behaviour - violence, vandalism, etc.
   
• Some taxes from alcohol and tobacco go towards funding for the NHS

Alcohol: 

• Enjoy the taste
• Social - meeting at clubs and pubs or for a special occasion
• They enjoy being under alcohol's influence
• Addiction
• Influenced by media/peer pressure/family and friends
• Gives them confidence
  

Smoke: 

• Enjoy the taste and sensation
• It's relaxing
• Addiction
• Influenced by friends/role models
• Grown up in the same environment
• Keeps their weight down
• Social

Illegal Drugs:

• Addiction
• To enjoy a night out
• Influenced by peer pressure/role models/media
• Improve confidence
• To cope with a crisis

Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1 

Christians:

• Do not forbid drinking alcohol, only in moderation.
• Use alcoholic wine in Holy Communion
• Smoking is discouraged because of its harm, but not forbidden - it harms your body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit

Islam:

• Alcohol is completely forbidden - can't concentrate on their religious duties and Allah
• Smoking is discouraged because of its harm to the body Allah gave them - is forbidden during Ramadan

Buddhism and Sikhism:

• Both are forbidden because of their potential harm and effect on the mind
• Buddhism - They both can create bad karma

Hinduism:

• Smoking is banned in public places
• They both create bad karma

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Corinthians 6:19

Social consequences:

• Addiction
• Can cause crime - to gain money to buy the drugs
• Can cause hurt to friends and family

All main religions forbid the use of illegal drugs

Christians: harmfulness to the body, family and society

Jews: breaks the law, encourages lack of self-control and causes harm

Christianity and Judaism: teach that compassions and help should be given to addicts

Attitudes:

• Some believe they should be left to sort themselves out - good money should be spent on 'more deserving' people
  
• people should have help through rehabilitation

Long-Term Solutions:

• More investments could enforce that fewer illegal drugs reach the street
• Prison sentences increased for drug user and dealers
• Rehabilitation could be compulsory for all addicts
• Improving life in socially deprived areas could reduce young people starting to take drugs
• Increased focus on drugs in schools and the media

Sikhs:
They have a duty to help others in society

Buddhists:
Helping addicts shows kindness and compassion which brings about good karma

Christians:
It's best to encourage addicts whenever possible
It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick. Mark 2:17 

Hindus:
Not harming and having the duty to help builds good karma
Drug taking is the belief of having previous bad karma

Muslims:
Expected to help Muslim drug takers

Jews:
Encourages assistance and counselling for addicts