9781422285725

11

Aspirin is a very common over-the- counter drug. It has been around since the late 1800s. The main ingredient in aspirin, found in willow bark, has been used as a pain reliever for far longer than that.

Not all drugs are bad. Medicine that’s prescribed by a doctor can make you healthier or even save your life. Some drugs are harmless in small quantities. But when used too much—or when used by the wrong person—any drug can have negative consequences. Types of Drugs Different types of drugs have different effects on the human body. Some, like caffeine, have such minor effects that we barely think of them as drugs at all. Others are so deadly that the government has made them illegal. This chapter will talk about some types of drugs and what they do. Because drugs are such a huge topic, this book will focus on the ones you are most likely to encounter in daily life. Medicine . There are a huge number of medicines that people can take for different physical and mental problems. Some are called over-the-counter drugs because any adult can buy them in a store. For example, if you have a headache, you might take an