...A drug is, in the broadest of terms, a chemical substance that has known biological effects on humans or other animals. Foods are generally excluded from this definition, in spite of their physiological effects on animal species. In pharmacology, a drug is "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being." Psychoactive drugs are chemical substances that affect the function of the nervous system, altering perception, mood or consciousness. Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine are the most widely consumed psychoactive drugs worldwide. Recreational drugs are drugs that are not used for medicinal purposes, but are instead used for pleasure. Common recreational drugs include alcohol, nicotine and caffeine, as well as other substances such as opiates and amphetamines. Some drugs can cause addiction and habituation and all drugs can cause side effects. Many drugs are illegal for recreational purposes and international treaties such as the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs exist for the purpose of legally prohibiting certain substances. Etymology In English, the noun "drug" is thought to originate from Old French "drogue", possibly deriving later into "droge-vate" from Middle Dutch meaning "dry barrels", referring to medicinal plants preserved in them. The transitive verb "to drug" arose later and invokes the psychoactive rather than medicinal properties of a substance. Medication...
Words: 924 - Pages: 4
...Medicinal Marijuana Regulation HSC/430 December 18th, 2011 Brenda Young Medicinal Marijuana Regulation Medicinal use of Marijuana has been a controversial topic for decades. Both the Federal and State Governments within the United States regulate the consumption, production, distribution, and transportation of Cannabis within the United States of America. In the recent past Medicinal uses of the drug have come to light allowing states to pass laws allowing for the medical field to make good use of Marijuana for medicinal purposes in patient who fit a criteria decided by the state. The regulation of Cannabis has become a hot topic issue for many Americans. Medicinal Marijuana is regulated on many levels. The United States of America has regulated the use, growth, and distribution of Cannabis for medical purposes. Federal Laws states that any use of marijuana, medical or recreational, is prohibited in the United States. Marijuana is considered to be a Schedule One drug by the Federal Government under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. The DEA was appointed to be the watch dog of the Marijuana trade within the borders of the United States. According to Controlled Substance Law (1995-2011), “The DEA’s enforcement of the Controlled Substance Act includes investigation and preparation for the prosecution of violators of these laws, on both interstate and international levels,” (para. 2). 16 states and Washington D.C. currently recognize medicinal marijuana use...
Words: 929 - Pages: 4
...According to Drugs and Society, hallucinogenic drugs are “substances that alter sensory processing in the brain, causing perceptual disturbances, changes in thought processing, and depersonalization” (Hanson 372). Hallucinogens have been used both ritually and recreationally by people for thousands of years—dating back to evidence of psilocybin mushroom use in 5000 B.C. “Humans on all continents, and likely since very ancient times, have utilized plant and animal substances to produce dramatically powerful altered states. In many examples, drug use for religious purposes has been carried out not by everyday participants but by specialists… who control the spirit world for the benefit of their community” (Myers-Moro 187). Shamans are trained in controlling their altered state of consciousness and use hallucinogenic substances during rituals to come into contact with local spirits. Ayahuasca, peyote, and DMT derived from the San Pedro cactus are hallucinogenic substances used ritually cross culturally. It is noted that, as with any hallucinogenic drug, set, setting, and one’s expectations has an effect on how the drug...
Words: 1422 - Pages: 6
...The issue of legal marijuana use whether it be medicinal or recreational, is nearly impossible to avoid. Every year more and more states are voting for and passing their right to tax and regulate cannabis. Montana has a unique story when it comes medical marijuana. In 2004 voters legalized the use of medical marijuana by a 62 percent referendum vote. By 2011 Montana witnessed a seismic shift in marijuana law, commonly known as Senate Bill 423, or SB423, this bill made it much harder and less appealing for patients to participate in the program, and has made it extremely difficulty for providers to legally grow and cultivate for their patients. There has been some recent relief for medical marijuana businesses thanks to a strike down of a few key portions in the 2011 restrictions. Montana’s current medical marijuana laws are still in danger of being made stricter or...
Words: 669 - Pages: 3
...Illicit drugs n effects -Herion: Heroin is an opiate processed directly from the extracts of the opium poppy. It was originally created to help cure people of addiction to morphine. Upon crossing the blood-brain barrier, which occurs soon after introduction of the drug into the bloodstream, heroin is converted into morphine, which mimics the action of endorphins, creating a sense of well-being -Cocaine: is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. It is both a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant, giving rise to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased energy. the initial signs of stimulation are hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and euphoria. -Methamphetamine: popularly shortened to meth or ice, is a psychostimulant and sympathomimetic drug. Methamphetamine enters the brain and triggers a cascading release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Since it stimulates the mesolimbic reward pathway, causing euphoria and excitement, it is prone to abuse and addiction. -Lysergic acid diethylamide: LSD, LSD-25, or acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the tryptamine family. Arguably the most regarded of all psychedelics, it is considered mainly as a recreational drug, an entheogen, and a tool in use to supplement various types of exercises for transcendence including in meditation, psychonautics, and illegal psychedelic psychotherapy...
Words: 1432 - Pages: 6
...sleepy or wide awake. It became something people enjoyed or found to be of some medicinal use and it was accepted into their daily lives and became part of the way they lived. I am sure that within a group of people, there were ones who went a bit further in experimenting and so forth and found other more radical ways to enjoy a certain feeling so more of this plant or tea were consumed by the people and it evolved. It became known for its good and bad and people used it for good and bad. People had individual experiences and thoughts about those experiences. If it were good, more people used it. Unfortunately, in this world around the 1960’s or so, what was once just used for healing and meditating became something very different and “drugs” became very popular for a lot of other reasons. In our culture, here in the USA, drugs did not continue to be used in a manner like other cultures. It became something bad and forbidden. I know in the Native American culture, they used psychedelic drugs, to open their minds and souls into another realm of consciousness. They taught their children how the old people lived and tradition continued. I’m not too educated on any other culture using substances to do that so I cannot make a claim there. However, I was around and was a teenager in California during the 1970’s, and the 1980’s and 1990’s are a blur to me, so I had first-hand experience as to why people used drugs to alter their state of mind. People liked being high, they liked being...
Words: 586 - Pages: 3
...Christianity point of view. b) Law of the land. DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE. INTRODUCTION. DEFINITION. Drug. 1) A drug is any chemical you take that affects the way your body works. Example: alcohol, caffeine, aspirin, nicotine etc. 2) A drug is a substance which may have medicinal, intoxicating performance when taken by a human body. Drug abuse. 1) It is the use of illegal drugs, the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for at least a year with negative consequences. 2) Compulsive, excessive and self-damaging use of habit-forming drugs or substances, leading t addiction or dependence, serious physiological injury(e.g. damage of kidney, liver, heart) and/or physiological harm(e.g. dysfunctional behavior patterns, hallucinations, memory loss),or death. Substance abuse. Harmful/hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and illicit drugs. Substance abuse is also sometimes referred to as drug abuse. Drug and substance abuse has become a disaster and an issue to be addressed urgently worldwide. In Kenya, drug abuse is one of the major problems alongside poverty, corruption and HIV/AIDS. However, whereas the HIV/AIDS prevalence is coming down, drugs and substance abuse is on the increase compounded by lack of a traditional control system and frustration arising from unemployment, idleness and poverty. WHY SUBSTANCE AND DRUG ABUSE IS AN ISSUE OF CONCERN. Since the issue of drug abuse came into existence, a lot of measures to curb...
Words: 3596 - Pages: 15
...trends of substance abuse, and how the use of illicit drugs may be considered culturally appropriate. In the mid 1800’s Opium began to arrive as Chinese workers immigrated to the United States to work on the railroads and gold mines. By the late 1800s, opium was quite a popular drug. Before long, opium dens had spread throughout the United States. In 1803, the German scientist Friedrich Sertürner successfully isolated morphine from opium for the purpose of using it as a surgical and post-surgical anesthetic soon making it available to physicians in the United States. It did alleviate pain, but in the process it also left the user in an anesthetized and euphoric state. The benefits of morphine were considered amazing to physicians of the era. But, the addictive properties were not discovered until after the Civil War. “In 1895, Heinrich Dreser, working for the Bayer Company in Germany, synthesized heroin. Bayer began to market the drug in 1898 (Brecher, 1972)”. In 1600 settlers introduced cannabis to Jamestown Virginia at the time it was used for its fiber. That was used to make rope, sails, and clothing. From 1611 until after the Civil War, cannabis was the main crop in North America playing a significant role in the colonial and national economic policy. “Between 1850 and 1937 marijuana was widely used throughout United States as a medicinal drug and could easily be purchased in pharmacies and general stores. Recreational use was limited in the US until after the...
Words: 885 - Pages: 4
...and drug addiction is bad for your health. But we do not know how dangerous smoking and drugs really are. Tobacco contains nicotine, a highly addictive drug that makes it difficult for smokers to kick the habit. Tobacco products also contain many poisonous and harmful substances that cause disease and premature death. Did we know that out of a group of 1000 smokers (age 30), that a full quarter of them (250!) will die of smoking-related illnesses prior to completing middle age, an additional quarter will die prematurely from smoking-related illnesses shortly after retirement age, and another large group will develop debilitating chronic illnesses as a result of their smoking? Most people don't know the odds of getting sick as a result of smoking are really that bad, but when you do the numbers, that is how they come out. People usually take drugs because they want to change something in their lives. Here are some of the reasons young people gave for taking drugs: * To fit in * To escape or relax * To relieve boredom * To seem grown up * To rebel * To experiment They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem. The consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve with them. For many people, truly understanding the very real dangers associated with smoking and drugs becomes the motivating factor that helps them to quit. Although it can be a very difficult habit to break, smoking and drug is...
Words: 4269 - Pages: 18
...purple infused, marijuana buds. Right then it hits you, marijuana is illegal, you must be dreaming. But what if that dream could be the reality? Many people believe that the legalizing of marijuana would be good for our economy, good for helping people find jobs, and lowering our country’s crime rate. There will be nothing in the following pages that talks about the medicinal value of marijuana. There is no overwhelming data that shows that getting THC into your blood has a positive medicinal purpose. I, as an endurance athlete, am a firm believer that inhaling smoke is not healthy for you or your body regardless of what cure it may provide. It has been proven time and time again that inhaling smoke is one of the worst things you can do to your body, whether it is first hand or second hand smoke. There are a lot of rumors out there that suggest that smoking marijuana kills your brain cells, and that it can lower your life expectancy. There is no solid evidence that backs this up. Also, anything said about how marijuana is bad for you can also be used to describe nicotine and alcohol, both of which are legal drugs. According to saferchoice.org “Marijuana...
Words: 1736 - Pages: 7
...with Drugs . The effect of a drug is caused solely by its pharmacological properties and effects. . Some drugs are instantly addictive . The gateway/ stepping stone theory - the use of 1 drug leads to the use of other more dangerous drugs What are drugs ? Krivanek's definition : Drugs are substances that are introduced into the body knowingly but not as food. Therefore illicit drugs, legal recreational drugs and legal but regulated pharmaceutical drugs that aren't recreational at all. - Whether if a drug is considered bad and is prohibited depends on the culture of the society in a particular period. What is culture ? The definition of culture = Through Roger keesing and Andrew Strathern's definition it is a system of shared ideas, rules and meanings that underlie and are expressed in the ways that human live. - This includes : law, beliefs, political economy, media and popular culture - this perceives ideas about what is normal and abnormal to society. " Culture is always changing and contested, not unified" Enthography as a method for studying drug use It is a process of observing, recoding and describing other peoples way of life through intimate participation the community being studied". - Participation observation, involving yourself in the life of the community , taking up the life of the other person, observing their actions, asking questions and learning what questions to ask. Zinberg's theory of drug use Effect of drug use...
Words: 21869 - Pages: 88
...Ecstasy. Ecstasy is a dangerous drug that should never be taken under any circumstance. Ecstasy is in fact a synthetic methamphetamine derivative, also known as; Meth, Crystal, or Glass. MDMA has many street names which include: XTC, Go, Ecstasy, Disco Biscuit, Cristal, X, Adam, Bean, E, M, Molly, and Roll. Ecstasy is widely used at events as dance club or "rave" parties, but is not exclusive to those events. It has been used at house parties, and in school environments. A "rave" is a large event that features what has been commonly referred to as “Dance” music with lights and special effects played by D.J.s who specialize in this form of music. Raves are held in everything from night clubs to abandoned buildings to fields. Ecstasy was first synthesized in 1912 by a German company, possibly to be used as an appetite suppressant or a weight-loss drug. However, it was never marketed due to the unusual side effects of the drug. Ecstasy produces both stimulant and psychedelic effects, enabling those who take the drug to remain active for longer periods of time with less fatigue. This, in fact, is why Ecstasy is seen as a drug of choice at such events as dance raves, and other all-night activities. There is a strong misperception that use of Ecstasy is safe unless the drug is somehow tainted with some other illicit substance. In fact, Ecstasy is classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance. Schedule I Controlled Substances have no medicinal use in the United States, and have a...
Words: 1998 - Pages: 8
...25 Alkaline-Promoting Foods These foods may help neutralize potentially toxic dietary acids, potentially supporting organ health and trimming body mass. Posted on 1/10/2014 | Comments (4) 1K+ PRINT The typical American diet is full of foods like meat and dairy products that tend to increase the acidity of your blood. Recent research suggests that eating too many acid-promoting foods could potentially damage your kidney and your liver and might even raise diabetes risk. But you can help negate acid’s negative effects on the body by balancing your diet with foods that promote an alkaline body environment. Adding more of these 25 foods into your diet could help support organ health and trim your body mass. The foods are ordered from most neutral to most alkaline-promoting. You can also check if your favorite foods could be filling you up with acids with this list of 25 acid-promoting foods. 1. Draft beer (most neutral) 2. Honey 3. Asparagus 4. Margarine 5. White wine 6. Broccoli 7. Marmalade 8. Mineral water 9. Watermelon 10. Apples 11. Red wine 12. Zucchini 13. Hazelnuts 14. Green beans 15. Tomatoes 16. Cherries 17. Radishes 18. Cauliflower 19. Potatoes 20. Apricots 21. Carrots 22. Celery 23. Bananas 24. Spinach 25. Raisins (most alkaline-promoting) 25 Acid-Promoting Foods Check out this list to see if you could be overloading your body with potentially toxic acids...
Words: 3354 - Pages: 14
... surveys, with open ended questions would be the methods used. Marijuana, or also known as cannabis, is a psychoactive drug that can be inhaled or eaten. The major psychedelic component in marijuana is known as tetrahydrocannabinol or also known as (THC). There are some states as well as numerous countries that have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. These purposes include treating chronic pain conditions, dietary aids, anxiety suppressors, and antiemesis for those who are terminally ill. Another unfavorable consequence that is caused by maternal cannabis use would be the future prolonged effects on the central nervous system. The user may suffer with cognitive impairment, addictive behaviors, social deficiency, and lack of control of impulsivity. According to Drugs.com, heavy marijuana use can lead to serious social issues. Marijuana affects perception and judgment and is associated with low achievement (Drugs.com). Because of the still lingering viewpoint that marijuana and people who smoke it are viewed as less capable than others and “worse off”. Marijuana can also affect a person’s ability to perform motor skills on daily tasks such as walking, driving, running,etc. Smoking cannabis has long term negative effects one’s academics and memory, especially in adolescents. The effects vary by the age of the person and when they begin to use marijuana, but in terms of my age group 18-25 year olds there is evidence that supports that there is a relationship between...
Words: 2761 - Pages: 12
...Drug use in society 2011 12/13/2011 Business Communication-2 Final Report (The viewpoint of iobm students on the use of drugs in our society) submitted to: Mr. Sheikh Irfan submitted by: Muhammad Moaaz Iqbal Afridi (11391) Asad Ali Roomy (10877) Muhammad Ali ( Muhammad Ali Qureshi ( Table of contents Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 9 1.1. Background: 10 1.2. Purpose statement 11 1.3. Limitations of research: 12 1.4. Main Research Questions: 12 1.5. Other research Questions: 12 1.6. HYPOTHESES 13 1.7. Population: 14 1.8. Research tool: 14 1.9. Methodology: 14 1.10. Scope of the research 15 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 16 2.1. TYPES OF DRUGS 17 2.1.1 Heroin 17 2.1.2 Cocaine 18 2.1.3 Methamphetamine 19 2.1.4 Crack Cocaine 20 2.1.5 LSD 21 2.1.6 Ecstasy 22 2.1.7 Opium 23 2.1.8 Marijuana 24 2.1.9 Psilocybin Mushrooms 25 2.1.10 PCP 26 2.2 DRUGS DUE TO DEPRESSION: 27 4.3 Peer Pressure and Drug Use 35 4.4 Drug enforcement agencies 36 4.5 Drug Trafficking in Pakistan 38 4.6 Statistics 40 5 Methodology 43 5.1 Questionnaire 44 5.2 INTRODUCTION 46 5.3 Research Findings 47 5.4 Data Analysis 51 6 CONCLUSION 65 6.1 Introduction 66 6.2 Recommendations 68 6.3 Bibliography 69 Letter of transmittal To: Sir Sheikh Irfan, business communication II From: Asad Ali Roomy, Mohammad Ali Qureshi, Mohammad Ali, Moaz Date: 8th December, 2012 Subject: Transmittal of report on “Use of drugs...
Words: 8908 - Pages: 36