Narcotics

Narcotics

These are drugs which relieve pain and produce profound sleep or "narcosis”. Medically , they are used as potent pain killers, cough depressants and as active components of anti diarrheal preparation.

Narcotics include opium and its derivatives such as morphine, heroin and cocaine; demerol, methadone and other synthetic chemicals, which have morphine like action .

Opium and Its Derivatives

Opium

 is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). It’s popularly known as “gum” or “ sleep of death”.

The Sumerian, Assyrian, Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Persian and Arab Empires all made widespread use of opium, which was the most potent form of pain relief then available, allowing ancient surgeons to perform prolonged surgical procedures. 

Effects of Opium

1. Dwelling pain2. Euphoria and detachment from

anxieties of existence3. Crude opium becomes more valuable

when convert into morphine and heroine which in many times more potent than opium itself.

4. Induce sleep.5. Anxiety and depressions

Substances that can be Isolated

from Opium

Morphine

is the substance that was first extracted from opium in 1905. It is a potent opiate analgesic drug that is used to relieve severe pain. As a pain killer, it is about ten times stronger than crude opium but has high dependence-producing potential.

Codeine

It is a derivative of morphine. It is commonly available in cough preparations such as mercodol, cosanyl, Chuacol,Romilar and others. These cough medicines have been widely-abused by Youngsters whenever narcotics are hard to obtain.

Codeine is less additive than morphine or heroine and is also less potent in terms of including euphoria. Withdrawal symptoms, when they occur, are less severe than other narcotics.

Heroin

Heroine-was discovered in 1898.This is 3 to 5 times more powerful than morphine from which it is derived. It is the most addicting opium derived. Addiction from heroin can be develop within 14 days of continued drug used. Its usually inject into the vein, sniffed or swallowed. Its intense euphoria or “high” and the sexual pleasure akin to an orgasm are the usual “rush” effects sought for the narcotics addicts.

Addiction from heroin can be develop within 14 days of continued drug used. Its usually inject into the vein, sniffed or swallowed. Its intense euphoria or “high” and the sexual pleasure akin to an orgasm are the usual “rush” effects sought for the narcotics addicts.

Shabu

Shabu is the street name for the chemical substance known as metamphetamine.It is also popularly known as a “poor man’s cocaine” Other slang names are: shabs, ubas, S, siopao, sha and ice.

Shabu is a white odorless crystal or crystalline powder with a bitter numbing taste. Abusers are known to take this drug through ingestion, inhalation, sniffing or by injection.

Harmful Effects of Shabu

Acute:1. Produces anxiety, irritability, irrational

behavior, talkativeness and loss of self control.

2. Results in loss of appetite and inability to sleep.

3. Can lead to acute psychotic reactions, violent and destructive behavior and recklessness that may result in accidents.

Physiological Effects

Include chest pain, irregularity of heartbeat, hypertension, convulsion and death from cardiac arrest.

Long-Term Effects

Psychiatric consequences are the major features of chronic “shabu” abuse dependency. Prolonged used and even a single exposure especially if administered intravenously can lead:

1. To manifestation of a full blown psychosis, which is similar to schizophrenia characterized by the presence of paranoid delusions auditory and visual hallucinations.

2. The paranoia may lead to violent and aggressive behavior.

3. Some chronic users have difficulty in concentrating on remembering things.

4. Diminished ability to cope with problems and difficulties in facing reality.

5. Lost of interest in sex, ambition or motivation may also result.

6. Chronic snorters may suffer from severe irritation of nasal passage and at times may even develop tissue perforation of the nasal system so that they become prone to frequent nose bleeding.

7. Renal damage, heart disease and strokes have been documented among chronic abusers.

8. Injecting “shabu” from contaminated needles may lead to risk of infection resulting in inflammation of the blood vessel (Phlebitis)Infection of the heart valves tendocarditis blood poisoning (systicemia), and the most dreaded disease, AIDS.

9. All of which can lead to death.

Effects of Narcotics

1. Drowsiness-which easily depends into narcosis:

a) depression of breathing b) red and watery eyesc) drastic loss of appetite, sleep and

weight

2. Produce both psychological and physical dependence with withdrawal sickness.

3. Abuse of narcotic may result to death.

4. Hepatitis caused by dirty needles used in injecting the drug intravenously.

5. Skin abscesses, inflation of the veins.

6. Congestion of the lungs.