5 a Medicines From Nature

Question 1

Salicin

Answer 1

Used for pain relief, gout and osteoarthritis.
Found in the bark of the white willow tree in Europe and West/ Central Aisa

Question 2

Caffine

Answer 2

Stimulant for CNS, heart and muscles
Used for migraines, epidurals and anesthesia
Found in tea, coffee and coca plant in Topical and sub tropical climates
Requires acidic soil (pH 4.0- 6.5)

Question 3

Quinine

Answer 3

Kills malarial parasites in red blood cells
Bark of cinchonas evergreen tree
Found in topical mountainous regions (Andean forests) of South America

Question 4

Fungi and antibiotics

Answer 4

Cephalosporin produced by cephalosporum acrenomium

Question 5

Colchicine

Answer 5

Used to treat cancer and gout
Plant: Autumn crocus
Found in Central and Southern Europe, North Africa and Middle East
Temp 10-22 degrees
Precipitation: 350-700mm

Question 6

Species of poppy that produces opium

Answer 6

Papaver Somniferum

Question 7

Production of opiate drugs

Answer 7

Opium contains a class of naturally occuring alkaloids called opiates.
Seedpod is incised with a multibladed tool to all the “gum” to ooze out which is then dried and sold.
Raw opium contains about 8-14% morphine by dry weight.
It can be used directly or chemically modified to produce synthetic louise such as heroin.

Question 8

Growing conditions for Papaver Somniferum

Answer 8

Warm dry climates
Temperate climates 30-38 degrees
150-300mm precipitation per year
Can grow in a variety of soils
Soil pH 6-7.5

Question 9

Countries producing opium poppy plant

Answer 9

Legal production in India, Turkey and Australia (Tasmania)
Illegal production in Afghanistan, Thailand and Mexico

Question 10

Legal opium production in Turkey

Answer 10

Over 200 tons of opium are produced annually globally
70 000 to 100 000 small scale farmers cultivate opium in Turkey
95% morphine production is then exported creating $60 million in revenue

Question 11

Legal opium production in Tasmania

Answer 11

Produces 49% worlds legal supply
Contributes $100 million a year to Victoria state’s economy

Question 12

Legal opium production in India

Answer 12

Three states can grow opium poppies: Mashya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh
Employs 120 000 people
Generates $25 million per year

Question 13

Illegal production of opiates

Answer 13

Three main sources Burma, Afghanistan and Colombia
High demand, highly profitable, products take up little space to produce and stable shell life
Ideal export

Question 14

Illegal opium production in Afghanistan

Answer 14

In 2010 Afghanistan produced 90% of the worlds illicit opium using clandestine labs hidden in the countries topography.
Production increased by 43% from 2015 to 2016
16% GDP from opiates produced
Most profit goes to organised crime groups and funding to militant groups in Afghanistan

Question 15

Morphine

Answer 15

Manufacturing has increased reaching 523 tons in 2013
144 countries consumed morphine to some extent
Global consumption at 5.42 mg/person

Question 16

Sustainable opium production: providing alternate incomes in Afghanistan

Answer 16

Reduction of rural poverty to reduce illicit cultivation
191 500 rural households in Afghanistan rely on growing illicit crops
31 raisin processing plant down to 1 in 2008
Lack of opportunities

Question 17

Sustainable opium production: legalisation

Answer 17

Legalisation of opium for medicinal purposes has been gaining support since 2007 due to global shortage of painkillers such as morphine in many developing countries.
Unlikely to be successful in Afghanistan due to corruption and lack of relative institutions

Question 18

Sustainable production of opium: destruction of opium crops

Answer 18

Militant groups in Afghanistan promoted opium production
Taliban insurgents get more than £65 million annually from taxing farmers and drug producers in the area