Drug Misuse 1 (definitions and trends)

Question 1

Tolerance

Answer 1

Reduction or loss of the normal response to a substance

Question 2

Drug Abuse/ misuse

Answer 2

Persistent or sporadic excessive use inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable medical practice

(WHO)

Question 3

Psychological dependance

Answer 3

A feeling of satisfaction and psychic drive that requires periodic or continuous administration of the drug to produce pleasure or avoid discomfort

(A feeling someone has to take the drug or continue taking the drug)

Question 4

Physical dependence

Answer 4

Intensive physical disturbances that occur when administration is suspended

Question 5

Describe the patterns if drug misuse and discuss why some people seek to misuse drugs

Answer 5

Stage 1: experimentation
Stage 2: recreational use
Stage 3: problematic use
Stage 4: addiction

No evidence that one stage to lead to another

WHY?

• peer pressure
• revellion
• combat depression (stop feeling low)
• to overcome shyness, anxiety, lack of confidence
• to feel good, high, exhilarated, euphoria, rush

Question 6

Describe factors which affect the desired effects (the high) and the addictive potential associated with the commonly misused drugs

Answer 6

The effects depend on route of administration so whether the drug js swallowed, injected, smoked, sniffed and also the type of drug misused

• injected is fastest to the blood and higher rate of concentration because it goes straight to the bloodstream, more drug to blood and faster compared to the others

Question 7

Describe the differences between the main classes of drug misused

Answer 7

Psychoactive drugs
•stimulants - speed up CNS (euphoria and excitement)
———————————————————————————
•depressants - slow down CNS (euphoria, contentment and well being)

• hallucinogens - alter perceptions (sights and sounds become distorted and fantastic)

Question 8

Describe the methods used to measure the prevalence of drug misuse in the Uk and impact of treatment programmes

Answer 8

1. Offences
   - cautions, convictions for possession, supply etc
2. Surveys
   Crime survey for England and Wales (CSEW)
3. Treatment
   - The national drug treatment monitoring system
   - NHS data

Question 9

Stimulant cocaine

Answer 9

Eg cocaine ( two forms available , hydrochloride and free base)

Hydrochloride properties-
MP: 197oC
BP-395oC
Sol-1 in 0.5 of water

Freebase prop:
MP- 96-98oC
BP-187-188oC
sol- 1 in 1300 of water

Question 10

Stimulant : Amphetamine

Answer 10

• originally used in an inhaler
• nasal decongestant
• non-medicinal use
• to counter fatigue in soldiers

Pharmacology: similar to neurotransmitter (noradrenaline/dopamine) , sinilar action to cocaine but has a longer half life

Desired effects:
- good cheer, optimistim, increased energy, self-confidence,perception reduced appetite, reduced need for sleep

Adverse effects following a binge:

• exhaustion, lethargy, anxiety, depression
• physical dependence is rare

Question 11

Stimulants - methamphetamine

Answer 11

First synthesised in 1883
Effects similar to amphetamine 
Difference
-more lipid soluble
- easier to cross the blood barrier

Question 12

Stimulants : Ecstasy

Answer 12

Ecstasy
- two classes of user 
  •young night clubbers
  • new age philosophers 
- limited evidence of dependence 
- adverse effects depend on use 
   •hangover, lethargy, fluctuating emotions 
   •dehydration

Question 13

Depressants : opiates/opiods

Answer 13

- opiates - from opium poppy
   •morphine
- opioids - synthetic 
   • di-acetyl morphine (heroin
Both cause psychological and physical dependence 

Acts on opioid receptors

• three different types of opioid receptors
• natural peptides- endorphins act on these receptors

Depressants
Slow down CNS
Euphoria, contentment and well being

Question 14

Depressants: benzodiazepines

Answer 14

-used to treat insomnia & anxiety

• temazepam
• diazepam (Valium)
• flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)

Question 15

Depressants Cannabis

Answer 15

• many different varieties
  -many active ingredients
  •THC is main active ingredient
• marijuana (up to 5% THC)
• harshish (up to 15% THC)
• sinsemilla (up to 17% THC)
• oil (up to 30% THC)

Question 16

Hallucinogens

Answer 16

• LSD
• magic mushrooms

• these substances produce profound changes in 
  •sensory perception 
  • patterns of thinking 
  • emotion
 - without clouding the mind 
 - psychedelic

Question 17

Penalties

Answer 17

Depend on
(a) the legal class of drug
(b) which court hears the charge
  I. Magistrates court
  II. Crown court 
(c) whether the charge is ‘possession’, ‘possession with intent to supply’ or ‘suppling a controlled drug’

Question 18

Drug class A

Answer 18

Ecstasy 
LSD
Heroin
Cocaine 
Crack
Magic Mushrooms 
Amphetamines (if prepared for injection)

Question 19

Drug Class B

Answer 19

Amphetamines
Cannabis
Methylphenidate (ritalin)
Pholcodine

Question 20

Drug class C

Answer 20

Buprenorphine 
Tranquilisers
Some painkillers 
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
Ketamine

Question 21

Penalties

Answer 21

Maximum penalty for possession of Class A controlled drug at Magistates court:
£5000 and/or 6months imprisonment

Possession with intent to supply, class c at magistrates court = £2500 and/or 3months impr

Possession with intent to supply, class A at crown court = unlimited fine and/or life imprisonment

Question 22

Offences

Criminal justices statistics

Answer 22

Cautions for drug offences in last 10years: fallen by two thirds

Number of defendants proceeded against magistrates courts for drug offences changed over last ten years = dropped by nearly half

Number of offenders found guilty of drug offences changed over last 10 years = dropped by nearly half