Is only one means of combating the problems of misuse of barbiturates especially alcoholic beverage, which is one of the major social, medical & economic problems confronting our society, today it is a tragic problem affecting men & women, regardless of education, religion, sex & culture.
Definition:
Drugs & Society
There are people who cannot start working without taking coffee,drinking alcoholic beverages & smoking cigarettes. These substances contain potent stimulants, a high dose consumption of these drugs will eventually lead to hypo depression.
“Drugs” have helped many people with health problems. It also has harmed many people by damaging their bodies & minds, interfering with their relationships and lives, causing accidents & even causing deaths.
For many, drug is a term associated with substances like heroin, cocaine, marijuana and LSD. These substances are drugs of these substances have in common, the ability to bring about a change and if taken under doctor’s advice, can help combat stress in a specific situation. However, if it is taken without tranquilizers to overcome emotional stress, it becomes an abuse.
The users of these substances do not seem to mind the potential dangers to their physical, mental, social & emotional well-being. Medical science has proven that the indiscriminate use of mere substances for a long period may lose one’s capability to think clearly, to reason out & to be creative it may even lead to serious permanent mental change, nervous breakdown, violence & self-destruction. The social problems resulting from the misuse of depressants particularly alcoholic beverages, are reflected in the family through misery, poverty, broken homes, neglected children, unemployment & accident.
Development:
A. The Nature of Drugs
1. Synthetic Drug
- A drug created in the laboratory by combining certain chemicals.
2. Overdose
- Dose in excess of the prescribed amount.
3. Legal drugs
- Drugs that are considered useful enough to be made available for sale. These drugs contain chemicals designed to treat medical problems.
There are two kinds:
a. Over-the-counter drugs
- such as mild pain relievers, morning sickness pills, cough syrup, diet pills, & sleeping aids:
b. Description drugs
- drugs requiring a doctor’s written prescription, these drugs are regulated in their use, manufacture and sale.
4. Illegal drugs
- Drugs which are forbidden & punishable by law anyone caught using, selling, or pushing such drugs will be apprehended & penalties will be imposed on him.
B. The effect of drugs
1. Chief effect
- the physical or mental change to which it is intended
2. Side effect
- the different, unknown, or undesirable reaction to a drug.
3. Tolerance
- occurs when the body develops a resistance to the effects of a drug.
C. The Danger of Drug Abuse
Drugs when taken in excessive amount can be detrimental to the person’s personality, family, friends, community & country.
The following are the dangers of drug abuse:
a. physical suffering
b. broken family ties
c. tendency of the user to commit crime
D. The Stages of Drug Dependence
1. Psychological Dependence
2. Physical Dependence (hallucination & withdrawal syndrome)
3. Abuse of over-the-counter drugs
4. Multi-substance abuse
5. Tolerance
E. The Psychoactive Drugs
They can change the person’s mood, thoughts, feeling & behavior. Death may occur when a person abuses them.
There are five (5) kinds of Psychoactive Drugs
1. Depressants
Ø Drugs that slow down or reduce the activity of the central nervous system. These drugs are sedative-hypnotics. These drugs produce tolerance & physical dependence and user may develop hepatitis B and HIV aids.
2. Inhalant/Volatile Solvent
Ø A kind of drug that is psychoactive, in the form of vapors from cleansing fluids, paint thinners, glues, gasoline and other substances that contain chemicals. They may cause heart failure, liver, kidney, blood & bone marrow damage and death.
3. Stimulants
Ø Drugs that promote the activity of the central nervous system such as caffeine, amphetamine, cocaine and nicotine. Amphetamine may produce side effects from long term use such as depression, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, confusion and paranoid condition.
4. Psychedelic Hallucinogens
Ø Drugs that damage the organs and system of the body. One of these is LSD (Lysergic acid & diethylamide). It is an acid which has harmful effects on human’s health such as changes in perception and psychological changes.
5. Marijuana/Sativa Hashish
Ø Derived from the hemp plant called cannabis.
Marijuana
Ø consists of the dried leaves of the plant where Sativa Hashish is a concentrated resin made from those leaves.
Hashish
Ø is purified and extracted from the marijuana plant. It is stronger than marijuana. The dangers are muscle spasms, cramps and even death.
Ending:
The problem of drug menace is our country has been potentially alarming. The family school and church are the three basic institution is our society which play the vital role of controlling and fighting drug abuse couple with the strict implementation of the laws. It also lies in our own personal disposition and discipline that the drug problem can still be saved. We have the responsibility to fight and campaign for the eradication of drug. abuse.
Additional info:
http://www.enotes.com/drugs-substances-encyclopedia/rohypnol/overview
http://www.hecapedia.org/health-center/addictions-related-problems/effects-illegal-drugs
Additional info:
http://www.enotes.com/drugs-substances-encyclopedia/rohypnol/overview
http://www.hecapedia.org/health-center/addictions-related-problems/effects-illegal-drugs
