Causes differ between each abuser. Reasons vary, but common ones are due to peer pressure, curiosity, attention, stress, fun, and sometimes even because of health class.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
7 classes of Drugs
There are seven classes of drugs. Each class differ in its properties and drugs within each class often produce similar effects.
x. stimulants
x. depressants
x. hallucinogens
x. narcotics
x. tranquilizer
x. anabolic steroids
x. cannabis
.
Stimulants excites, while depressants slow down the vital organs. Hallucinogens cause hallucinations, narcotics are pain relievers, tranquilizers calm the central nervous system, anabolic steroids promote tissue growth and repair, and cannabis are drugs that are made from the Indian plant, Cannabis sativa.
Addiction
Addiction is an intense craving that "hooks" you emotionally and psychologically. You would want to use it again and again, and when you stop, horrible physical reactions may be caused. Addiction involves also social, psychological and physical consequences. Certain drugs may be more addictive than others.
Street Names
Street names are nicknames for drugs, sometimes used as code names to identify illegal drugs.
Heroin is called:
x. big H
x. blacktar
x. brown sugar
x. dope
x. horse
x. junk
x. mud
x. skag
x. smack
x. The Tragic Beginning of Heroin .x
Heroin was first formed by English chemist C.R. Alder Wright in 1874 by combining morphine with various acids. Anhydrous morphine alkaloid and acetic anhydride was boiled on a stove for hours to produce a more powerful, acetylated form of morphine, now called diacetylmorphine. The compound was then sent for analysis and turned out to be a failure.
23 years later, the diacetylmorphine was modified by Felix Hoffman, who was instructed to produce codeine by acetylating morphine. But instead of producting codeine, the experiment produced a compound 150 to 200% more powerful than morphine itself. The substance was later named "heroin", which came from the German word, heroisch, meaning heroic. This was because in field studies people using the medicine felt "heroic".
Heroin was thought to be a non-addictive morphine substitute and a cough medicine from 1898 to 1910. It was then discovered that "Heroin" was basically only a quicker acting form of morphine.
Various Ways of Taking the Drug
Heroin can be consumed in various ways. It can be eaten, smoked, sniffed and most commonly, injected into a bloodstream.
Stimulant or Depressant?
Heroin is a depressant. It is an opiate, which is made from the juice of a flower named the opium poppy. All opiates are depressants.
Physically Addictive?
Heroin is a very powerful, and highly addictive drug. It is extremely difficult to discontinue the consumption of heroin once it's in your system. The drug causes the brain cells to be dependent on the drug.
Medical Use
Heroin is a drug classified under narcotics, pain relievers. It is used to treat severe pain in Great Britain and other countries.
The Cost and Effects
The Cost
A bag of heroin would usually cost 3 to 5 dollars which is about 30,000 to 50,000 in rupiah.
The Effects
Short-Term Effects
The short-term effects of heroin usage show just after a single dose and vanish in a couple of hours.
Users report:
x. a feeling of warmth
x. a "rush" of euphoria
x. a dry mouth
Long-Term Effects
Constant users may develop the long-term effects which include:
x. Distorted veins
x. Infections of
x. Heart lining
x. Valves
x. Abscesses
x. Cellulites
x. Liver disease
Withdrawal Effects
When an addict discontinues the habit of taking the drug, withdrawal effects will be caused, such as:
x. expanded pupils
x. watery eyes
x. runny nose
x. yawning
x. loss of appetite
x. panic
x. chills
x. nausea
x. muscle cramps
x. restlessness
x. stomach cramps
x. diarrhea
x. vomiting
x. sweating a lot
x. bad temper
Effects on the Brain
Heroin may cause effects on the brain. Brain cells then can be dependent on the drug as it is a highly addictive opiate. As the body becomes dependent, users need it to function in their daily lives.
The Punishment in Indonesia and Singapore
The punishment for having or selling drugs in Indonesia and Singapore differs. You are put into prison in Indonesia, while in Singapore, the consequence is death.
JIS' Drug Policy and its Consequences
In JIS, students get caught being in the possession of drugs by random drug tests that can determine drug users by getting hair samples.
It is said that "Any student found to be in the possession of taking, beihnd under the influence of, buyin or selling, giving or trafficking, or in any way directly or indirectly aiding or abetting the propagation of any narcotics, stimulants, barbiturates, suppressants, hallucinogenic drugs, or marijuana is subject to expulsion. The test or search shall be conducted under the supervision of the administration."
Song
Heroin
The Velvet Underground
.
I don't know just where I'm going
But I'm gonna try for the kingdom, if I can'
Cause it makes me feel like I'm a man
When I put a spike into my vein
And I'll tell ya, things aren't quite the same
When I'm rushing on my run
And I feel just like Jesus' son
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know.
.
I have made the big decision
I'm gonna try to nullify my life'
Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death
And you can't help me not, you guys
And all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess that I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know.
.
I wish that I was born a thousand years ago
I wish that I'd sail the darkened seas
On a great big clipper ship
Going from this land here to that
In a sailor's suit and cap
Away from the big city
Where a man can not be free
Of all of the evils of this town
And of himself, and those around
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know
Oh, and I guess that I just don't know.
.
Heroin, be the death of meHeroin, it's my wife and it's my life
Because a mainer to my vein
Leads to a center in my head
And then I'm better off than dead
Because when the smack begins to flow
I really don't care anymore
About all the Jim-Jim's in this town
And all the politicians makin' busy sounds
And everybody puttin' everybody else down
And all the dead bodies piled up in mounds.'
.
Cause when the smack begins to flow
Then I really don't care anymore
Ah, when the heroin is in my blood
And that blood is in my head
Then thank God that I'm as good as dead
Then thank your God that I'm not aware
And thank God that I just don't care
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess I just don't know.
.
In this song, taking heroin is shown to be a killer but the composer is saying that he doesn't care. Since he's so in love with it, it is obvious that he is an addict and that he loves what it does despite all the bad side effects.
Imaginary Characters
Drug Abuser
A drug abuser takes the drug and likes it. The reaction to the drug decreases therefore he or she takes a bit more each time.
Drug Misuser
A drug misuser takes more than enough of the drug because they believe it will have a better effect.
Recreational Drug User
A recreational drug user does drugs for fun. He or she usually do drugs in parties or hang-outs with his or her friends. He or she is not a constant user, and is not addicted to the drug.
Imaginary character
A Bangladeshi girl from an extremely conservative family has never used drugs before. She's average in her studies and is new to JIS. Her self esteem is quite low and she is afraid that she wouldn't fit in. She loves curry and other Indian dishes.
One day she was invited to a party and decided that it was her chance to make some friends. There, people were begging her to try the drug heroin, since they knew that it would be her first. She then injected some and felt a sudden rush of euphoria, and she loved it. Dysphoria then filled in her as the drug stopped reacting after a few hours.
She took some each day and became addicted. As she kept taking the drug, there was then tolerance. The reaction of the drug decreased each time and she then elevated her drug doses. Her studies went bad. She couldn't pay attention in class, she was always late and her grades slowly dropped. She was surprised to fail her classes and decided that it was the drugs that have caused it. She began to discontinue her habit of heroin use, and had several withdrawal effects, such as restlessness and tremors.
Was she addicted physically or psychologically?
She was both physically and psychologically addicted. Heroin causes the brain cells to be dependent on the drug, which causes great withdrawal effects when the drug-taking habit is discontinued. It is also a highly addictive opiate that causes the mind to want more and more of it.
Heroin Advertisements
Against heroin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuAVVfrDPs8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZSSfSwroT4
For heroin
Social Effects
Within the Family
x. Arguments
x. Lose relationships between family members
x. Kid steals money to get drugs
x. Lose trust
.
Punishment from Parents
x. Rehab
x. Boarding school
x. Sent to another country
x. Keep kid in the house
.
Within the Community
x. People will think you're bad influence
x. Lose relationships
x. Look down upon
x. Blame parents
Scenario 1
He or she admitted a drug problem to you and asked for your help.
.
You: Do you know that drugs are one of the leading causes of deaths?
Friend: No.
You: Well, it is. So you better treat it or something bad might happen.
Friend: But how do I treat it?
You: Just stop using the drug. Maybe with family and friend support? Or perhaps other endorphin-releasing activities? If none works, then you got to go to rehab.
Friend: Fine.
You: Why don't we watch a four-hour movie tonight?
Friend: Okay.
You: Yeah, and tomorrow let's fill your whole day with excercises, chocolate shopping, and more movies!
.
Scenario 2
He or she does not want to quit or even acknowledge that there is a problem.
.
You: Do you know how many people die because of drugs everyday?
Friend: No.
You: Well, it's a lot. So you better treat it or something bad might happen.
Friend: I don't have any problems. What's wrong with you?!
You: You are this close to be dead, and you don't even care?!
Friend: There's nothing wrong with me. I'm completely fine.
You: Fine. Then I'll just have to force you in rehab.
Movie
American Gangster (2007)
Plot
In 1970s America, a detective works to bring down the drug empire of Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is smuggling the drug into the country from the Far East.
Quit Addiction
We may think the following of abusers, “Why don’t they just make themselves give up on drugs? All they need is willpower.” Please think of things in your own life (a favorite video game, friend, favorite food, television program, or comfortable bed) that would be hard to give up if someone asked you to do it? Could someone make you quit your habits if you did really want to quit them? None of these things have the kind of physical or psychological effect on them that a drug could have.
Nobody could make someone quit your habits if you didn't really want to quit them. You must want to quit with much willpower for it to be possible. Though a person has willpower, it is still very difficult for one to discontinue a drug addiction, especially because it has a physical and psychological effect on the person, causing the body to be dependent on the drug. Though it will be hard, it is still possible with family and friend support, rehab, or other endorphin-releasing activites.
Local Organizations
Rumah Sakit Fatmawati
Jl. RS. Fatmawati Cilandak Jakarta Selatan
Telp. 021-7695461, 7698240, (021) 7504009
Rumah Sakit Persahabatan
Jl. Persahabatan Rawamangun Jakarta Timur
Telp.882743
Rumah Sakit Pusat Pertamina
Jl. Kyai Maja Kebayoran Baru Jakarta Selatan,
Telp. 707326RS.
Angkatan Laut Mintohardjo
Jl. Bendungan Hilir, Jakarta Pusat
Telp. 021-5703081, 5702036
Rumah sakit Dr. Kariadi
Jl. Dr. Sutomo No.16 Semarang
QUIZ
1) What are the seven classes of drugs?
.
2)Why do people abuse drugs?
.
3)What is an addiction?
.
4)What are the street names for heroin?
.
5)Name 3 short-term effects.
.
6)Name 3 long-term effects.
.
7)Name 3 withdrawal effects.
.
8)How is the drug taken?
.
9)What can drugs do to your family and your community?
.
10)How do you stop a person from using the drug?
Bibliography
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-addiction/DS00183
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/drug_classes.html
http://www.brainsource.com/brain_on_drugs.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312847/heroin.htm
http://www.doitnow.org/pages/514.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin
http://www.drugfree.org/portal/drug_guide/heroin
http://www.heroinaddictiondrugrehab.com/h-statistics.htm
http://www.brainsource.com/brain_on_drugs.htm
http://www.kapanlagi.com/a/0000002210.html
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