Speed, Ice & Madness

A biology teacher’s guide to the stimulants in 2006

Dr Edward Ogden PSM

MA MBBS BMedSc GradCertMgt FRACGP FAChAM

NIDA’s mission is to bring the power of science to bear

on drug abuse and addiction.

Prevalence World wide use estimated 0.6% of population Australia has highest prevalence in the world!

9.1 % used at some stage 3.2% used the previous 12 months.

Average age at first use 20.8 years. 6.6% of Australian teenagers have had

experience with amphetamines 97% if IDU’s have tried stimulants

Why worry? Users

little understanding of effects of drug High risk of HIV and STD High rate of conversion from oral to IV Unlikely to seek help

Toxicity 25% of users are psychotic 20% of psychoses longer than 1 month

A little neuropsychology!

Addictions & the reward pathway

Food Water Sex Nurturing

The action of stimulants

Amphetamine-type Stimulants

Cocaine

www.drugabuse.gov

Positron Emission Tomography

www.drugabuse.gov

Normal On Cocaine

1-2 Min 3-4 5-6

6-7 7-8 8-9

9-10 10-2020-30

Brain on CocaineBrain on Cocaine

Cocaine binding

A Brain After CocaineA Brain After Cocaine

Metabolic

Activity

Long-term Long-term ConsequencesConsequences

Metabolic

Activity

The Memory of DrugsThe Memory of Drugs

Nature VideoNature Video Cocaine VideoCocaine Video

AmygdalaAmygdalanot lit upnot lit up

AmygdalaAmygdalaactivatedactivated

The good news is…The good news is…

Drug Abuse is aDrug Abuse is apreventable preventable behaviorbehavior

and and

Drug Addiction isDrug Addiction isaa treatable treatable diseasedisease

… … Is it Is it worth worth

the risk?the risk?

For More InformationFor More Information

NIDA Public Information Office: NIDA Public Information Office: 301-443-1124301-443-1124

Or Or www.nida.nih.gov

www.drugabuse.gov

National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI): Drug Information (NCADI):

1-800-729-66861-800-729-6686

www.drugabuse.gov

Have you changed your mind?Have you changed your mind?