Religious Attitudes to Drug Abuse

Within this topic candidates should be aware of religious beliefs and teachings concerning the mind and body. They should be aware of the implications of these in relation to the taking of drugs for non-medical purposes and with reference to the following areas:

• the religious beliefs and teaching concerning the mind and body and rights and responsibilities;
• religious attitudes to the use of drugs, including medically prescribed, legal and illegal drugs;
• legally accepted drugs and their effects, including caffeine, alcohol, tobacco;
• the use of the taxes raised on alcohol and tobacco for medical research and treatment;
• the reasons why illegal drugs may be taken; physical, mental, and social consequences of taking drugs for social and recreational purposes, including physical, mental and social consequences;
• issues concerning obtaining drugs and the effects on other people, e.g. stealing to pay for their habit, drinking or taking illegal drugs and driving, family problems;
• the effectiveness of methods aimed at reducing drug abuse and rehabilitating users;
• the law and drugs, including the debate about the classification and legal status of different drugs, including cannabis, ecstasy, heroin, solvents, alcohol.