International Day against Drug Abuse- June 26th

Written by Tabinda | posted in Events | 0 Comments

26th June is celebrated as the International Day against Drug Abuse. Drugs kill about 8 million people each year or in other words, destroy 8 million families. In Pakistan, almost 9 million people are addicted to drugs and almost 2 to 2.5 million people between the age ranges of 15 to 25. The need of the day is to understand the drugs and all of its forms and then to spread this message to our family, friends and relatives. Following is given the types of drugs, the signs and symptoms induced by these drugs and the treatment options.

Drug:

Any substance (liquid, solid or gas) that is able to induce the physical and psychological effects is called as a drug. The drugs have a definite impact on the Central Nervous System (CNS) and can change the patterns of the normal physical and mental processes.

Types of Drugs:

1. Cannabis

Composition: It’s a greenish or brown colored material which is obtained from cannabis (hemp) plant. The resin which is secreted by the flowering tops of certain plants are collected and converted into the powder form. It is called as hash.

Other Names: Bongo, Ganja, Marijuana, Grass, Thai sticks or Pot

Mode of Intake: Smoked (inhaled) or Mixed with tea (Oral intake)

Effects: The Cannabis affects the users by relaxing their nerves and amplifying their sensualalertness. The addicts feel the intenseeffect on all the senses.

2. Cocaine

Composition: As a powerful stimulating agent, it is used as white powder, which is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant. Usually it is mixed with some other substances to increase the quantity. Sometimes it may be available in the shape of small translucent pieces.

Other Names: Crack, Bazooka, Blanche, Cake, Coke, Lady or Star dust

Mode of Intake: Sniffed, Injected or Inhaled

Effects: The addict feelsoverjoyed and ecstatic feelings. A sudden increase in the level of alertness is present. The person using this drug may experience delayed hunger and other responses.

3. Ecstasy

Other Names: E, Snackies, New Yorkers or Disco biscuits

Composition: It is not a single substance; instead it refers to a group of psychoactive substances that affects the CNS.

Mode of Intake: Sniffed, Oral Intake or Injected

Effects: Ecstasy can enhance theresponsiveness levels of the user. The result is the increased social closeness. Due to this factor, it is used in social gatherings and parties.

4. Hallucinogens

Composition: Fungus derived chemicals that are taken in order to produce hallucinations or hallucination like symptoms are designated as Hallucinogens.

Other Names: Hencyclidine (PCP), d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, hallucinogenic amphetamines, and psilocybe mushrooms.

Mode of Intake: Swallowed

Effects: Direct effect of these drugs on the CNS results in the increased social behavior and empathy.

5. Heroin

Composition: Heroin is an addictive drug with anesthetic properties processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance from the Asian opium poppy plant.

Other Names: Smack, Brown, H, Horse, Junk, Harry, White lady

Mode of Intake: Injected, Snorted, Inhaled or Smoked

Effects: Heroin tends to relax the user. The addicts possess antisocial behavior and relaxed condition, during the period of optimum intake.

6. Methamphetamine

Composition: It is not a single drug instead it is a part of group of drugs called as amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS).

Other Names: Crack meth, Ice, Crystal meth, Tik, Shabu, Yaba

Mode of Intake: Injected, Snorted, Inhaled or Smoked

Effects: Methamphetamine mimics a sensation of physical and mental comfort. The regular user may experience delayed hunger and fatigue.

7. Alcohols

Composition: It is the volatile liquid product of fermentation process.

Other Names: Liquor, Ethyl Alcohol, Beer, Whisky, Champaign

Mode of Intake: Drinking (Oral Intake)

Effects: Loss of control on the nerves and senses results after taking a high dose. Increase in sleep and hunger also results at the same time.

Signs and symptoms of Narcotics Abuse:

The signs and symptoms include Analgesia (feeling no pain), Sedation, euphoria, respiratory depression (shallow breathing), small pupils, bloodshot eyes, nausea, vomiting, itching skin, flushed skin, constipation, slurred speech, confusion, poor judgment, and needle marks on the skin.

Withdrawal Sign and Symptoms:

These are those symptoms which arise due to the absence of the next dose of a particular drug. These include Anxiety, Irritability, Craving for the drug, Increased respiratory rate (rapid breathing), Yawning, Runny nose, Salivation, Gooseflesh, Nasal stuffiness, Muscle aches, Nausea or vomiting, Abdominal cramping, Diarrhea, Sweating, Confusion, Enlarged pupils, Tremors and Lack of appetite.

Treatment:

Medication (Chemical treatments) and psychological treatments (Cognitive–behavioral therapy, Multidimensional family therapy, Motivational interviewing, and Motivational incentives) are integrated in order to get the good results.

On this day, National academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) Pakistan and Pakistan Science Foundation are doing combined efforts and trying to raise awareness in order to bring to the forefront, knowledge of the sad reality of drug abuse throughout the world in the 21st century.

 References:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/narcotic_abuse/page3_em.htm

http://www.unodc.org/drugs/en/get-the-facts/types-of-drugs.html

http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/pressrels/2010/unissgsm202.html

http://www.un.org/en/events/drugabuseday/

http://stateofnature.org/post911Opiate.html

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/alcohol_abuse_alcoholism_signs_effects_treatment.htm

www.unodc.org/pdf/technical_series_1995-03-01_1.pdf

http://health.ninemsn.com.au/family/familyhealth/689830/drugs-and-their-effects

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction