INTRODUCTION
The drug menace is one of the greatest challenges confronting mankind today. Since the early eighties drugs issue has been a tropical concern
The increase involvement of our youth in drug abused sub-culture has take a wide and frightening dimension. Youth between the age of 15-35 years constitute the high-rick group. The drug.
Therefore it’s commission’s responsibility to fight drug abuse in our territories especially Churches
Schools
Communities
Markets etc
DRUGS AND DEFINITION
1. IN MEDICINE.
These referred to any substance with the potential to prevent or cure diseases or enhance physical or mental well being.
2 IN PHARMACOLOG
In pharmacology it referred to any chemical agent that alters the biochemical or physiological process of tissues or organism. In common usage for the purpose of these blog drug is any substance when taken into the body effect one mood.
CLASSIFICATION OF SUBSTANCE OF ABUSE
1. STIMULANT eg cocaine, amphetamine, nicotine, caffeine, etc. These group of substance usually increase the activities of the central nervous system CNS which consist of the brain, spinal cord and nerves. The course increase in alertness, attention and energy accompanied by alleviating blood pressure.
2. CANNABIS SATIVA. sativa is a scientific name of igbo, wee-wee, weed, pot, grass, etc is drive from harmp plant and flowers. It contain about 240 chemical which is harmful to human body. The also cause damage to liver, lungs and sexual hormones.
3. INHALANTS. These are group of gaseous and vaporize substance which are sniffles or inhaled because of there high effect in human body eg nail polish, correcting fluid, paint thinner, glue. The inhaled through nasal cavity to blood stream and straight brain. It causes restlessness, excitement, loss of coordination
4. UNCONVENTIONAL SUBSTANCE. These are substance without any form of regulations or control on it usage. The are naturally natural occurring substance eg Zakami plant, vapor from pit latrine, smoking pawpaw leaf, lizard exceta etc. Which have effect on human body
5. SEDATIVE/DEPRESSANT. These are group of substance which slow down the active activities of central nervous system CNS eg alcohol, barbiturates
6. OPIATE/NACOTICS. These are chemical substance used for the clinical treatment of pain. They have very high abuse potential.
CATEGORIES OF DRUGS
Physicians have long recognized that different types of drugs affect people differently. Nonetheless, drugs may be categorized or classified according to certain shared symptomatologies or effects. The DRE categorization process is premised on these long-standing, medically accepted facts. DREs classify drugs in one of seven categories: central nervous system (CNS) depressants, CNS stimulants, hallucinogens, dissociative anesthetics, narcotic analgesics, inhalants, and cannabis. Drugs from each of these categories can affect a person’s central nervous system and impair a person’s normal faculties, including a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
(1) Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants
CNS depressants slow down the operations of the brain and the body. Examples of CNS depressants include alcohol, barbiturates, anti-anxiety tranquilizers (e.g., Valium, Librium, Xanax, Prozac, and Thorazine), GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), Rohypnol, and many other anti-depressants (e.g., Zoloft, Paxil).
(2) CNS Stimulants
CNS stimulants accelerate the heart rate and elevate the blood pressure and “speed-up,” or over-stimulate, the body. Examples of CNS stimulants include cocaine, “crack” cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamine (“crank”).
(3) Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens cause the user to perceive things differently than they actually are. Examples include LSD, peyote, psilocybin and MDMA (Ecstasy).
(4) Dissociative Anesthetics
Dissociative anesthetics include drugs that inhibit pain by cutting off or dissociating the brain’s perception of the pain. PCP, its analogs, and dextromethoraphan are examples of dissociative anesthetics.
(5) Narcotic Analgesics
Narcotic analgesics relieve pain, induce euphoria, and create mood changes in the user. Examples of narcotic analgesics include opium, codeine, heroin, demerol, darvon, morphine, methadone, Vicodin, and oxycontin.
(6) Inhalants
Inhalants include a wide variety of breathable substances that produce mind-altering results and effects. Examples of inhalants include Toluene, plastic cement, paint, gasoline, paint thinners, hair sprays, and various anesthetic gases.
(7) Cannabis
Cannabis is the scientific name for marijuana. The active ingredient in cannabis is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. This category includes cannabinoids and synthetics like Dronabinol.
Drug Addiction
Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and behavior. When you’re addicted to drugs, you can’t resist the urge to use them, no matter how much harm the drugs may cause. The earlier you get treatment for drug addiction (also called substance use disorder) the more likely you are to avoid some of the more dire consequences of the disease.
Drug addiction isn’t about just heroin, cocaine, or other illegal drugs. You can get addicted to alcohol, nicotine, sleep and anti-anxiety medications, and other legal substances.
You can also get addicted to prescription or illegally obtained narcotic pain medications, or opioids. This problem is at epidemic levels in the United States. In 2018, opioids played a role in two-thirds of all drug overdose deaths.
At first, you may choose to take a drug because you like the way it makes you feel. You may think you can control how much and how often you use it. But over time, drugs change how your brain works. These physical changes can last a long time. They make you lose control and can lead to damaging behaviors.
Effect on Your Brain
Your brain is wired to make you want to repeat experiences that make you feel good. So you’re motivated to do them again and again.
The drugs that may be addictive target your brain’s reward system. They flood your brain with a chemical called dopamine. This triggers a feeling of intense pleasure. You keep taking the drug to chase that high.
Over time, your brain gets used to the extra dopamine. So you might need to take more of the drug to get the same good feeling. And other things you enjoyed, like food and hanging out with family, may give you less pleasure.
When you use drugs for a long time, it can cause changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well. They can hurt your:
Judgment
Decision-making
Memory
Ability to learn
Together, these brain changes can drive you to seek out and take drugs in ways that are beyond your control.
Signs of Addiction
You may have one or more of these warning signs:
An urge to use the drug every day, or many times a day
Taking more drugs than you want to, and for longer than you thought you would
Always having the drug with you, and buying it even if you can’t afford it
Using drugs even if they cause you trouble at work or make you lash out at family and friends
Spending more time alone.
Not taking care of yourself or caring how you look
Stealing, lying, or doing dangerous things, like driving while high or having unsafe sex
Spending most of your time getting, using, or recovering from the effects of the drug
Feeling sick when you try to quit.
How to Prevent Addiction to Prescribed Painkillers
Most people who take their pain medicine as directed by their doctor do not become addicted, even if they take the medicine for a long time. Fears about addiction should not prevent you from using narcotics to relieve your pain, but it’s smart to use caution.
But if you’ve misused drugs or alcohol in the past or have family members who have, you may be at a higher risk.
To avoid pain medicine addiction:
Take the drug exactly as your doctor prescribes.
Tell your doctor about any personal or family history of drug misuse or addiction; this will help them prescribe the medicines that will work best for you.
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