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10 Things Your Friends May Not Know About Drugs (Part 1)
The question “What is a drug?” is often answered with myths or personal opinions. Many believe there are “good” and “bad” drugs, but the reality is simpler and more scientific: all drugs are essentially poisons. Their effect depends not on whether they are legal or illegal, but on the amount taken.
Drugs as Poisons
A drug acts differently depending on its dose:
- In small amounts, it can stimulate and make a person feel more energetic.
- In larger amounts, the same substance slows the body down and acts as a sedative.
- In very large quantities, taken quickly enough, the drug can kill.
This principle applies to alcohol, prescription medications, and illegal substances alike.
Everyday Example: Alcohol
Alcohol provides a clear example of this poison principle:
- After a few drinks, someone may feel more social and lively.
- With higher consumption, tiredness, confusion, and slowed reflexes appear.
- A large, rapid intake—such as drinking an entire bottle of strong liquor in minutes—can overwhelm the body and become fatal.
The pattern is universal: the dose determines the effect.
Why This Matters
Understanding that all drugs operate on the same scale—stimulant, sedative, poison—helps remove the false idea that some drugs are “safe” while others are inherently “bad.”
This perspective allows families, educators, and communities to better explain the risks of drugs and support prevention efforts. It also emphasizes that the line between use, abuse, and overdose can be very thin.
Further Resources
- 📘 Explore practical prevention tools: Videoteca Narconon.
- 🌍 Learn more about drug effects and risks on Narconon Europa.
PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES
Q1: Are there good and bad drugs?
No. All drugs are poisons, with effects depending on dosage.
Q2: Why does a small dose stimulate but a larger dose sedate?
Because the body reacts differently as the concentration increases, first exciting and then suppressing functions.
Q3: Do prescription drugs follow the same rule?
Yes. Misuse or overdose can turn medication into a sedative or even poison.
Q4: Does legality change the effect of a drug?
No. Whether legal or illegal, the body responds based on the amount taken.
Q5: What is the safest approach?
Education, prevention, and avoiding misuse are the safest strategies.
