Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
What is the purpose of the misuse of drugs act 1971?
graded to harmfulness attributable to a drug when it is misused
What class of drugs are deemed as the most dangerous?
class A drugs
Give examples of class A drugs
Heroin
LSD
Ecstasy
Cocaine
Give examples of class B drugs
cannabis
barbiturates
ketamine
What class of drugs are supposedly the least harmful class of drugs ?
class C
Give examples of class C drugs
benzodiazepines
buprenorphine
What is the MOA of benzodiazepines?
the potentiate the inhibitory action of GABAa receptors
they are often used as sedatives
they do not have an effect on GABAb receptors
____% of drug related deaths occur in men
74%
____% of drug related deaths occur in women
26%
The 2001 amendment to the misuse of drugs regulations allows for …
lawful possession and supply of controlled (illegal) drugs for legitimate purposes. They cover
-prescribing
-administering
-safe custody
-dispensing
-record keeping
-disposal to prevent diversion for misuse
What is the maximum penalty for possession of a class A drug?
7 years plus a fine
What is the maximum penalty for possession of a class B drug?
5 years plus a fine
What is the maximum penalty for possession of a class C drug?
2 years plus a fine
What is the maximum penalty for supply of a class A drug?
Life + fine
What is the maximum penalty for supply of a class B drug?
14 years + fine
What is the maximum penalty for supply of a class C drug?
14 years + fine
What is the British Pharmacopoeia?
it is the only comprehensive collection of authoritative official standards for pharmaceutical substances and medicinal products
Illicit drugs are not pure, therefore they can contain…
contaminants
diluents
adulterants
What is a contaminant?
these are bi-products of the manufacturing process
What is an adulterant?
it is a pharmacologically active ingredient added to either give synergistic or antagonistic effects
What are diluents?
they are inert substances added to bulk up the drug, decreasing the amount of active ingredient in the drug
Give examples of adulterants used in the 80s
sugar alcohols
mannitol
sorbitol
Give examples of adulterants used in the 2000s
Local anaesthetics
Benzocaine
Lidocaine
They have a numbing effect on the gums
What is dependence?
this is a state in which withdrawal of the drug can cause adverse physiological effects