What is a drug?

A drug is a substance that changes the way a person’s body works. Drugs can change the way you feel, they way you think or even the way you behave.

Where do drugs come from?

Some drugs are natural. They can be found in some kinds of plants, mushrooms or other things found in nature that people do not normally eat. Some drugs are made by people. They mix various substances together to create drugs for people to use.

Why do people use drugs?

Many drugs are used to treat illness. We call these drugs medicine. These drugs can prevent illness, cure illness or treat the symptoms of illness. However, not all drugs are medicine. There are some drugs that people take just to change the way they feel.

How do people take drugs?

In order for them to work, drugs must first enter the body. This can happen in many ways. Sometimes drugs are ingested, which means you have to swallow them. Sometimes drugs are inhaled, which means you have to breathe them in. Drugs can also be injected into the body using a syringe with a hollow needle at the end. Different types of drugs can be seen in the photo below.