· Diseases that have a significant impact on society are called socially significant diseases. For example, drug abuse, smoking, alcoholism.
· Generally, most diseases have social impacts in one or another way.
· But in the case of socially significant diseases, society has to pay a significant cost. These diseases not only ruin the health of an individual but also have adverse effects on the family and society.
· The impact on the family and society are altered relatively and the chance of crime or accident increases.
· Surveys and statistics have shown that the use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco is rising especially among the youths.
· World Health Day: 7th April
· World Mental Health Day: 10th October
· World Mental Health Day: 10th October
Drug Abuse
· Drugs are organic or inorganic substances that alter the physiological state of an individual. They are used in medicine for the treatment of disease.
· Drug abuse is the self-administration of a drug for non-medical purposes in quantities and frequencies which may impair with individual’s ability to function effectively and may result in social, mental and emotional harm. In other words, drug abuse is the improper or misuse of drugs.
· Drugs are organic or inorganic substances that alter the physiological state of an individual. They are used in medicine for the treatment of disease.
· Drug abuse is the self-administration of a drug for non-medical purposes in quantities and frequencies which may impair with individual’s ability to function effectively and may result in social, mental and emotional harm. In other words, drug abuse is the improper or misuse of drugs.
· The term drug abuse concerns non-prescribed, non-medical use and use for having pleasure.
· Drug dependence is a state where there is a compulsion to take drugs to prevent emotional distress.
· Drug dependence is a state where there is a compulsion to take drugs to prevent emotional distress.
· The abusers also become tolerant to the drugs i.e. more doses are essential to produce the same effect. So they tend to increase the quantity and frequency of taking drugs.
· Drug addiction is a state of physical and mental dependence of an individual to the intake of the drug. In other words, it is the condition of feeling compelled to take drugs.
· Certain drugs have no therapeutic use. They are manufactured illegally, solely for the purpose of narcotic use. Such drugs are called illicit drugs.
· Drug addiction is a state of physical and mental dependence of an individual to the intake of the drug. In other words, it is the condition of feeling compelled to take drugs.
· Certain drugs have no therapeutic use. They are manufactured illegally, solely for the purpose of narcotic use. Such drugs are called illicit drugs.
Types of Addictive Drugs and their Effects
· Drugs are classified into two main categories: psychotropic and psychedelic drugs.· Different types of drugs have different kinds of effects.
· Drug abusers use drugs that affect the nervous system and cause altered mood or perception.
A. PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS
· These drugs either induce sleep or produce calming behaviour.
· These drugs either induce sleep or produce calming behaviour.
· They alter the behaviour and perception of so-called mood-altering drugs.
· Their repeated use causes addiction.
· They are further divided as follows:
1. Tranquillizers
· They decrease tension and anxiety and produce a feeling of calmness and do not induce sleep.
a. Antipsychotic drugs (Major Tranquillizers):
· They decrease tension and anxiety and produce a feeling of calmness and do not induce sleep.
a. Antipsychotic drugs (Major Tranquillizers):
· These drugs reduce aggressiveness, relieve anxiety and make thought and behaviour normal.
· Examples are Phenothiazines, Butyrophenones, Pimozide etc.
b. Antianxiety drugs (Minor Tranquillizers):
· They are used for anxiety and phobic conditions.
· Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are the main antianxiety drugs.
· Examples include:
i. Hipnotic e.g. Diazepam, Flurazepam, Nitrazepam, Midazolam.
ii. Antianxiety e.g. Oxazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam
iii. Anticonvulsant e.g. Diazepam and Clonazepam.
· These drugs hasten sleep and reduce intermittent awakening and increase the total sleeping time.
i. Hipnotic e.g. Diazepam, Flurazepam, Nitrazepam, Midazolam.
ii. Antianxiety e.g. Oxazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam
iii. Anticonvulsant e.g. Diazepam and Clonazepam.
· These drugs hasten sleep and reduce intermittent awakening and increase the total sleeping time.
2. Sedative and Hypnotics
· Sedative reduces excitement, lowers functional activity and induces sleep.
· Hypnotic also induces sleep. So, they are called general CNS depressants.
· Examples: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines.
i. Barbiturates:
· They are the substituted derivatives of barbituric acid, a chemical formed from urea and malonic acid.
· They are general depressants and reduce anxiety and induce sleep.
· They are divided into three main categories:
a. Barbiturates having very short action (under 3 hours): For example, Thiopentone, Hexobarbitone
b. Barbiturates having short action (3-6 hours): For example, Butobarbitone, Secobarbitone and Pentobarbitone
c. Barbiturates having long action (6 or more hours): For example, Phenobarbitone, Mephobarbitone
a. Barbiturates having very short action (under 3 hours): For example, Thiopentone, Hexobarbitone
b. Barbiturates having short action (3-6 hours): For example, Butobarbitone, Secobarbitone and Pentobarbitone
c. Barbiturates having long action (6 or more hours): For example, Phenobarbitone, Mephobarbitone
3. Opiate narcotics
· These are derived from opium along with their synthetic relatives.
· They relieve pain (analgesic) so-called pain killers.
· Opiates have narcotic (drowsiness, sleep), analgesic (relieve pain), astringent (that causes contraction of body parts) and sedative effects.
· Types of Opiate Narcotics are:
1. Natural opiates
a. Opium
b. Codeine
c. Morphine
2. Semi-synthetic opiates
a. Smack
b. Heroin
3. Synthetic opiates
a. Meperidine
b. Methadone
· Types of Opiate Narcotics are:
1. Natural opiates
a. Opium
b. Codeine
c. Morphine
2. Semi-synthetic opiates
a. Smack
b. Heroin
3. Synthetic opiates
a. Meperidine
b. Methadone
a. Opium:
It is dried latex of unripe fruits of the poppy plant (Papaver somniferum).
· It is reddish-brown in colour with a heavy smell and bitter taste.
· It is eaten or smoked.
b. Codeine:
· It is also derivative of opium.
· It is a mild analgesic and is used as an ingredient of many medicines and cough syrups. It does not cause addiction.
c. Morphine
· It is the principal opium alkaloid.
· It is a sedative and strong painkiller (analgesic) so useful for patients who have undergone surgery.
d. Smack:
· It is a crude by-product of heroin synthesis.
· It is cheap so-called “poor man’s heroin.”
· It is stronger analgesic than morphine.
e. Heroin:
· It is about 3 times more potent than morphine.
· It is formed from morphine by acetylation.
· It is taken orally, inhaled or injected.
· It induces lethargy, indigestion, decreases weight, sterility and total loss of interest in work.
4. Stimulants
· These drugs stimulate the nervous system, make a person more wakeful, alert and active; and cause excitement.
· They are Amphetamines, Cocaine, Caffeine and Nicotine.
· Caffeine and cocaine are natural stimulants and amphetamines are synthetic stimulants.
· Amphetamines and Cocaine are strong stimulants while Caffeine and Nicotine are weaker ones.
a. Amphetamines are synthetic drugs and cause wakefulness and postponement of sleep so-called anti-sleep drugs.
· It is included in the DOPE test for athletes who use them to increase self-confidence and physical strength.
· The test is made using blood or urine samples to find out the athlete whether he/she has taken the drug.
· They produce euphoria (sense of well being), marked excitement and sleepness.
· The test is made using blood or urine samples to find out the athlete whether he/she has taken the drug.
· They produce euphoria (sense of well being), marked excitement and sleepness.
b. Cocaine is obtained from the leaves of the South American Erythroxylon coca Plant.
· Cocaine is a vasoconstrictor used in the local anaesthetic.
· It is smoked or injected or inhaled by addicts.
· It is a powerful CNS stimulant.
· It induces a sense of well being and pleasure and delays fatigue.
· It induces a sense of well being and pleasure and delays fatigue.
· It also causes a lack of sleep and loss of appetite.
c. Caffeine is found in coffee seeds, tea leaves, cocoa seeds and coca drinks.
· It is a mild CNS stimulant.
· It provides a sense of well being, alertness, also beats boredom, thinking becomes clear, improves performance.
· It acts as a cardiac and respiratory stimulant.
· It acts as a cardiac and respiratory stimulant.
· It is a mild diuretic (increases urine output) and increases BMR and contractile power of skeletal muscles.
· It is a mild stimulant and is taken as beverages: tea, coffee, cocoa and cola drinks.
· Excessive intake of caffeine may cause addiction.
B. PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS (= HALLUCINOGENS)
· These drugs change one’s mood, behaviour, thoughts and perceptions.
· These drugs change one’s mood, behaviour, thoughts and perceptions.
· They cause abnormal perceptions like visual (seeing an imaginary scene), auditory (hearing imaginary sounds) or tactile (feeling an imaginary object).
· They also cause nightmares (horrible dreams) and floating sensation.
· They also cause nightmares (horrible dreams) and floating sensation.
· The person may feel relaxed and extremely happy.
· Hallucinations are something that a person senses but does not exist.
· They are LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide), Psilocybin, Mescaline and products of Hemp plant (Bhang, Ganja, Charas, Marijuana)
· LSD is a psychedelic drug i.e. vision producing drug.
· They are LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide), Psilocybin, Mescaline and products of Hemp plant (Bhang, Ganja, Charas, Marijuana)
· LSD is a psychedelic drug i.e. vision producing drug.
· It is a crystalline alkaloid obtained from the fungus Claviceps purpurea.
· It causes horrible dreams, chronic psychosis, hallucination and severe damage to the central nervous system.
· It is always smoked.
· Mescaline is a white powder alkaloid obtained from the spineless cactus Lophophora williamsii and Psilocybin is obtained from the Mexican mushroom Psilocybe Mexicana.
· Mescaline is a white powder alkaloid obtained from the spineless cactus Lophophora williamsii and Psilocybin is obtained from the Mexican mushroom Psilocybe Mexicana.
Products of Hemp plant
· They are the chemicals obtained from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.
· They are used in various combinations to produce Bhang, Ganja, Charas and Marijuana.
· These drugs are taken by inhalation and oral ingestion.
a. Bhang: It is fresh/dried leaves and flowering shoots of both male and female plants of Cannabis sativa.
a. Bhang: It is fresh/dried leaves and flowering shoots of both male and female plants of Cannabis sativa.
· Bhang is generally taken orally (i.e. drink or in the form of pakora or laddu) and acts slowly.
b. Ganja: It is the dried unfertilized female inflorescence of Cannabis sativa.
It is smoked generally in cigarettes.
· Its effects are produced almost instantaneously.
c. Charas: It is the dried resinous extract from the flowering tops and leaves of Cannabis sativa.
· It is most potent and smoked with tobacco.
· In some countries like America, charas is called hashish.
d. Marijuana: It is obtained from the dried flowers and top leaves of the female plants of Cannabis sativa.
· The most active ingredient of marijuana is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta- 9 THC).
· It is smoked in cigarettes and causes psychosis.
· Products of hemp plants raise the blood sugar level and increase the frequency of urination.
· Their regular use causes addiction.
· They bring about a state of well being (euphoria), excitement, sometimes uncontrolled laughter and dilation of the pupil of the eyes.
· Nowadays cannabinoids are also being abused by some sportspersons.
· Poisoning of cannabis preparations is called cannabism.
· Poisoning of cannabis preparations is called cannabism.
Reasons for Drug Addiction
· There are several reasons causing drug addiction:
· To obtain pleasure, fun and excitement
· To get relief from depression, anxiety and difficult situations.
· To overcome frustrations of personal, professional and family life.
| Group | Drugs | Source | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tranquilizer and Depressants | Benzodiazepines | Synthesized | Used for anxiety and phobic condition |
| Tranquilizer and Depressants | Barbiturates | Barbituric acid | Reduce anxiety and induce sleep |
| Stimulants | Caffeine | Coffee, tea, cocoa plants and coca drinks | Increased mental alertness and self-confidence elevate mood, reduce appetite |
| Stimulants | Nicotine | Tobacco | Increases mental alertness and concentration, increases B.P. and heart rate. |
| Stimulants | Cocaine | Cocoa plant | Stimulates mental activity, reduces sleep and appetite, vasoconstrictor, as a local anaesthetic |
| Stimulants | Amphetamine | Synthesized | Increases self-confidence, wakefulness and postponement of sleep so-called anti-sleep drug |
| Narcotics | Opium | Opium poppy plant | Reduces pain and anxiety, feeling of well-being. High dose causes bradycardia, hypotension, apnea, drowsiness, hypothermia, nausea, vomiting and even death |
| Narcotics | Morphine | Opium poppy plant | Depresses brain activity, relieve intense pain and anxiety, alters mood, cardiovascular depression, nausea, vomiting and constipation, sedative |
| Narcotics | Heroin | Synthesized from morphine | Similar to morphine but it is more potent than morphine. Induces lethargy, indigestion, decreased weight, sterility and total loss of interest in work |
| Narcotics | Smack | Crude by-product of heroin synthesis | Stronger analgesic than morphine |
| Hallucinogen | LSD | Synthesized from lysergic acid produced by Ergot fungus | Hallucination, nausea, increased heart rate, long term use causes nightmares, flashbacks, feeling of happiness and relaxation., chronic psychosis, severe damage to CNS |
| Hallucinogen | Cannabis (Bhang, Ganga, Charas and Marijuana) | Hemp plant Cannabis | Feeling of pleasure and relaxation, impaired coordination and memory, altered perception (of time and objects) and thought. May cause extreme anxiety, sadness and psychosis in some people, having no interest in any activities, bring about a state of well being (euphoria), excitement, sometimes uncontrolled laughter and dilation of the pupil of the eyes |
· Due to apathy (lack of feeling, interest; indifference), peer pressure and expanding friends circle.
· To increase working and studying capacity.
· Availability of the drugs and family history.
· To increase working and studying capacity.
· Availability of the drugs and family history.
Effects of Drug Abuse
· Drug abuse not only affects an individual but also family and society.
· So, it is better to discuss the effects of drugs on an individual and on society respectively.
1. Effects on an individual
· Though the health hazards depend upon the type of drug abuse, there are many common effects of drug abuse like
· Dependence upon drugs and tolerance to a drug causing drug addiction.
· Loss of interest in routine activities such as sports, work and class. So, there is a decline in academic and working performance.
· Aggressiveness, irritability and forgetfulness
· Feeling hopeless, depressed and even suicidal.
· Socially withdrawn and not caring about others.
· Avoiding family or friends to obtain drugs.
Drug abusers also have physiological damages to their bodies. The body does not function well in the absence of drugs. They become victims of diseases like cancer, AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases etc.
· Besides, they spend a lot of money to buy drugs so it may increase the chance of smuggling and crime.
1. Effects on an individual
· Though the health hazards depend upon the type of drug abuse, there are many common effects of drug abuse like
· Dependence upon drugs and tolerance to a drug causing drug addiction.
· Loss of interest in routine activities such as sports, work and class. So, there is a decline in academic and working performance.
· Aggressiveness, irritability and forgetfulness
· Feeling hopeless, depressed and even suicidal.
· Socially withdrawn and not caring about others.
· Avoiding family or friends to obtain drugs.
Drug abusers also have physiological damages to their bodies. The body does not function well in the absence of drugs. They become victims of diseases like cancer, AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases etc.
· Besides, they spend a lot of money to buy drugs so it may increase the chance of smuggling and crime.
2. Effects on the Society
· It creates an economic burden on the family.
· There may be an increased rate of crime, theft.
· Abusers are involved more in domestic violence and sexual assault (a violent physical or verbal attack).
Control of Drug Abuse
· Drug education and prevention aimed at children and adolescents is the best way to control drug abuse.
· Specific treatment methods are made to treat particular drug abuse.
· Regular and supervised medical treatment supported by rehabilitation and social therapy has been found useful to control drug abuse.
a. Medical Treatment
· Early detection and medical treatment for drug abuse are important.
· There should be motivation for the addicts to make their minds up for detoxification.
· Psychological and behavioural treatments should be done to help the addict cope with drug cravings and to prevent relapse.
· Substitution medicines should be provided to control withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings (a strong desire or longing).
b. Rehabilitation
· Personal and occupational rehabilitation of addicts should be made to live a normal life.
· Family and social support should also be provided to the addicts.
c. Prevention
· Education should be given about the disadvantages and consequences of drug abusers to fight against it.
· It should be focused particularly on school-age groups.
· Community and youth education programmes should be provided to teach the consequences of drug abuse and resistance skills to avoid drugs.
d. Enforcement of Laws
· Effective laws, rules and regulations should be applied to control the production and supply of illegal drugs.
· Effective laws, rules and regulations should be applied to control the production and supply of illegal drugs.
· International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking: 26th July
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