Difference between revisions of "Drugs"
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[[Illegal drugs]] are drugs which are prohibited by law. This is often based on the fact that these drugs cause damage to a person's [[brain]] and other organs, and that the drugs are highly addictive. Many celebrities have become addicted to drugs that killed them; many more non-celebrities have also died at a young age from drug addiction.<ref>''See, e.g.'', [[Hollywood values]].</ref> | [[Illegal drugs]] are drugs which are prohibited by law. This is often based on the fact that these drugs cause damage to a person's [[brain]] and other organs, and that the drugs are highly addictive. Many celebrities have become addicted to drugs that killed them; many more non-celebrities have also died at a young age from drug addiction.<ref>''See, e.g.'', [[Hollywood values]].</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == In sport == | ||
| + | Some drugs can be used by athletes to gain a competitive advantage in many sports, including [[track and field]], [[cycling]] and [[weightlifting]]. Commonly known as doping, this practice is forbidden in almost all sports for two main reasons: | ||
| + | * It is considered to be unfair. | ||
| + | * While these drugs provide short-term physical benefits, they often do long-term harm, leading to shortened careers and poor health in later life. | ||
| + | Nevertheless, there have been many high-profile cases of top performers being caught using drugs, including the sprinter [[Ben Johnson]] and the cyclist [[Tyler Hamilton]]. | ||
| + | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 12:23, September 23, 2008
A drug is a chemical substance that affects the processes of the mind or body. The term "drug" may be used to refer to, beneficial medicine (such as antibiotics and painkillers like morphine) or certain other legal chemicals such as alcohol, caffeine, or nicotine but may also refer to illegal drugs.
Illegal drugs are drugs which are prohibited by law. This is often based on the fact that these drugs cause damage to a person's brain and other organs, and that the drugs are highly addictive. Many celebrities have become addicted to drugs that killed them; many more non-celebrities have also died at a young age from drug addiction.[1]
In sport
Some drugs can be used by athletes to gain a competitive advantage in many sports, including track and field, cycling and weightlifting. Commonly known as doping, this practice is forbidden in almost all sports for two main reasons:
- It is considered to be unfair.
- While these drugs provide short-term physical benefits, they often do long-term harm, leading to shortened careers and poor health in later life.
Nevertheless, there have been many high-profile cases of top performers being caught using drugs, including the sprinter Ben Johnson and the cyclist Tyler Hamilton.
References
- ↑ See, e.g., Hollywood values.
