Blog #6: Reflection
a. What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about
overcoming these challenges?
The biggest challenge I overcame was finding information for the third round of research. The question was ‘what are the negative effects of decriminalization’. I thought this would be easier to research but there was limited information. Honestly, it didn’t help that it was the last research round and I was already exhausted from so many exams. I overcame this by trying to not get too frustrated when I couldn’t find useful information. Staying calm was how I managed to find some decent sites. Though I ended up writing less than my usual posts, I was glad that I managed to finish the post while answering the question.
b. How did this inquiry change the way you think?
This inquiry made me realize that drugs, specifically opioids, completely change the way your body functions. When you take opioids, your body must change its production of noradrenaline. If you stop taking opioids after a while, your body will go into overdrive due to the increased levels of noradrenaline. Once you go off of the drug, it will take your body weeks, even months to go back to normal levels of noradrenaline production.
c. How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
This investigation will make me be more cautious around opioids. If I am prescribed opioids, I’d ask if there are any other options I can try before. I would be even more careful because of the way they affect your body. In addition, if I am a future health care worker, I will make sure to not prescribe opioids unless absolutely necessary. Knowing the way opioids affect your body is important for health care workers. I can use this information to educate others about the risk they have.
d. What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?
This investigation will allow all teenages, local and global, to understand the danger of drugs. Many people in my age group do not believe that doing drugs only a few times can harm them. Seeing how opioids completely change the way your body functions helps us understand why they are so addictive. As for marijuana, teens seem to be way too comfortable around it. They think it is completely safe for minors. In reality, marijuana increases the risk of psychosis, especially in minors. This will hopefully encourage others to do in-depth research before trying or taking drugs. In addition, knowing these risks may change others perspectives about how dangerous drugs really are.