What are Drugs?

Drugs have been used by indigenous people for many thousands of years, both as medicines and recreationally.

The bark of the willow tree was known to have healing properties in ancient Britain.	South American natives chew the leaves of the coca plant	Many cultures brewed alcoholic beverages, including the Japanese	The native Americans smoked tobacco and other things

A drug is a chemical that causes chemical changes in the body.

This may be taken to relieve pain or help to fight against a disease. It may also be that the effects are pleasurable. For some people drugs are part of their religion. They may feel closer to god when under the influence of certain drugs.

REMEMBER

Drugs affect our body chemistry. Medical drugs are developed to relieve illness or disease.
Drugs may also be used recreationally as people like the effect on the body

Drugs can be beneficial but may harm the body.
Many drugs derived from natural substances have been known to indigenous peoples for many years.