Drugs & Society Flashcards
exam
Question1, a)
2 risk factors leading to drugs abuse
- Psychological (addiction stems from internal motivations + vulnerabilities)
- Social Learning Theory: exposure to role models who normalise drug abuse to manage stress, anxiety & pain.
- Psychoanalytic Theory: unresolved trauma, conflicts + subconscious drives.
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Personality Theory: traits like impulsivity, low self-esteem + sensation seeking.
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2. Sociocultural (how societal + cultural contexts influence addiction) - Environmental factors: living in a high risk area
- Media Portrayals: glamorise & normalise drugs
- Peer pressure + Cultural norms: encourage + fail to condemn drugs.
- Family interaction theory (dysfunctional families) & availability theory.
Question 1, b)
4 methods of taking illegal drugs
- ORAL CONSUMPTION: drugs are swallowed + absorbed through disgestive system (ecstasy, LSD, opioids). effect is slower as substance needs to be metabolised by liver. minor effect + less euphoria.
- INHALATION: drugs are inhaled as smoke, enter bloodstream through lungs (marijuana, crack cocaine, heroine, metamphetamine) effect is rapid as substance quickly reaches brain via respiratory system. potent + strong but short-lived effect.
- INTRAVENOUS: drugs are injected into vein using a syringe (heroine, metamphetamine, cocaine). intense & almost immediate effect due to direct entry into bloodstream. *potent + strong effect. HIGH RISK; infecctions, vein damage, OD.
- INSUFFLATION: drugs are crushed into fine powder + inhaled through nose (cocaine, ketamine, crushed prescription opioids). fast effect - substabce absorbed through mucus membranes in the nasal passageways. less potent effect.
Question 1, c)
Psychological Dependants
- Dependance; where the body functions normally only in the presence of a drug.
- Psychological dependance: the user’s percieved need for substance (ex: cocaine, nicotine)
- No physical discomfort/life threatening effects.
” Psychological dependance on drugs refers to a condition where an individual develops an emotional or mental reliance on a substance. This form of dependance is characterised by strong cravings and a percieved need for the drug to achieve a sense of well-being or to cope with stress, anxiety or other emotional challenges. Unlike physical dependance, which involves withdrawal symptoms and bodily responses, psychological dependance is rooted in the brain’s reward + motivational systems. “
Question 1, d)
Dangers of Hallucinogenic drugs
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MENTAL + PSYCHOLOGICAL RISKS:
Psychosis & Delusions; temporary /prolonged psychotic episodes, paranoia, delusional thinking, detachment from reality.
Anxiety + Panic attacks; altered state of consciousness can lead to: overwhelming fear, confusion/paranoia “bad trip”.
Depression + Emotional Instability; long-term damage to seratonin neurons leading to impaired memory.
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PHYSICAL RISKS:
Injury & Death; impaired perception/judgement can lead to risky behaviour… accidents, self-harm. (hyperthermia, blood-clotting disorders, kidney failure, loss of consiousness, coma ,seizures, severe ‘K-holes’.
Increased heart rate & Blood pressure; LSD, MDMA can elevate cardiovascular stress (risk for those with heart conditions).
Nausea & Vomiting; peyote/psilocybin mushrooms may cause gastrointestinal stress.
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COGNITIVE + BEHAVIOURAL:
Impaired Decision Making.
Dependance/ Addiction.
Risk of Contamination. Unknown dosage. Strained relationships. Legal consequences.
Long-term effects: persistent anxiety + depression, memory + concentration issues.
Question 2, a)
Association between drug abuse + crime
drugs use + drug dealing = major factors in growth of crime rates among young.
cost goes beyond user –> society pays a high price
- loss of dedication to careers (resort to illegal means of making money)
- crime/theft & violence
- terrorism
Drugs may be used in conjunction with crime to give the added confidence needed + a means to support their addiction.
Drugs users more likely to commit crime than non-drug users.
PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS: judgement is impaired, reduces self-consciousness, increases aggression = violent behaviour,
ECONOMIC COMPULSION: commit property crimes to fund addiction (theft, bulglary)
SYSTEMIC VIOLENCE: nature of drug trade fosters violence, disputes over territory, enforcement of debts.
Question 2, b)
Differences between herbal cannabis vs. synthetic cannabinoids
HERBAL CANNABIS:
* over 100 natural cannabinoids + more than 400 chemicals.
* contains THC; DELTA - 9 TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (primary psychoactive compound responsible for ‘high’) —> naturally occuring group of compounds (cannabinoids)
* <1% to 24% THC (lower, predictable effects)
SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDS:
* man-made chemicals designed to mimic effects of THC. laboratory synthesized chemicals (no real THC).
* 5F - ADB powder (sprayed onto plant/liquid for vapes)
* far more potent + unpredictable effects.
Question 2, c)
Legal + Illegal Drugs
LEGAL DRUGS: alcohol , tobacco , OTC drugs , prescription drugs (gateway drugs)
* legal drugs that are permitted for use under specific regulations –> easily accesible through legal channels.
* normalised, however, have significant risks with misuse. (ex: alcohol is complicated - its cultural acceptance can downplay its potential risks).
ILLEGAL DRUGS: cocaine , metamphetamine, heroine , LSD , MDMA , synthetic cannabinoids , psilocybin mushrooms etc…
* prohibited by law due to their high potential for abuse, health risks etc… (they have a high potential for dependancy & addiction).
* lead to CRIME & SOCIAL HARM
* stigmatised and criminalised – >governed by laws such as; DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE (MT) + MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT (UK)
Question 3, a)
how does cocaine contribute to crime?
- cocaine stimulates the CNS leading to hightened alertness & intense euphoria due to it being potent and therefore having a greater effect on the brain.
* increses DOPAMINE RELEASE (prolonged use damages brain’s dopamine system, reducing ability to feel pleasure without drug. . . . . . leads to: chronic irritability, aggression = increased likelihood of criminal activity.
- PSYCHOPHARMALOGICAL CRIMES : crimes resulting in aggression, violence, due to drugs causing excitability, fear, paranoia, irritability, drastic mood swings etc…
- The drug’s psychoactive properties, high cost & illegal status create a strong association with various forms of criminal behaviour. (effect on behaviour, economic pressure, systemic violence, drug offenses +community impact)
Question 3, b)
Factors which may lead to an individual using/ trafficking cocaine?
- socioeconomic factors: poverty, unemployment, inequality drives people to trafficking for financial survival/ to escape hardships, lack of education.
- psychological factors: addiction, mental health, low self-esteem push individuals to use cocaine as a coping mechanism.
- social influences: peer pressure, family exposure to drugs, living in high crime areas all leading to increased vulnerability.
- criminal networks: gangs + organised crime recruit vulnerable individuals with promises of money/coercion (drug mules).
- cultural factors: glamorisation of cocaine on media.
- high availability + low barriers
- weak enforcement + global demand
Question 3, c)
Law enforcement & how its related to crime
cocaine seizures: Malta freeport + airport (smuggle cocaine into Malta). body-packers/mules inject capsules of cocaine and come to Malta by sea/flight.
Use of trackers: precaution –> future contents of containers seized with drugs are first scanned by IT experts to locate any presence of trackers.
cocaine sold on streets has 2 forms: HYDROCHLORIDE SALT & CRACK
**Hydrochloride salt **–>
* soluble in water, can be driectly injected, snorted/sniffed.
* Adulterants include: lidocaine, benzocaine
* Diluents include: mannitol, sucrose
Crack –>
* (heat hydrochloride with baking soda in water then cooled and filtered, then precipitates into rocks)
* insoluble in water, cannot be injected, smoked in pipe, produces rush similar to injecting cocaine.
* same adulterants & diluents.
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Adulterants: Lidocaine, Phenacetine, Acetaminophen.
-substance added to drug to mimic/enhance its effects, reducing production cost & increasing profit. alters drug’s potency, effects.
-cheap, easily accessible, makes drug purer ability to pass street test Dramatic increase in cocaine-related deaths; toxic. -
Diluent–>chemically inactive substance added to increase weight/volume making it less potent + more profitable.
* to stretch supply without significantly altering drug’s effects (ex: baking soda in cocaine) not toxic.
Question 3, d)
Common paraphernalia
Hydrochloride: mirror and/or bank card
**Crack: **
* heating crack on a spoon + injecting it
* makeshift bottle with aluminium on top
* pipes (glass/makeshift)
Question 3, e)
Impact on society
- **public health: **
transmission of disease (shared paraphernalia): contaminated money, needles increase HIV - healthcare burden: ERs full = strain on public health systems
- **psychopharmacological crime: **increasing likelihood of violent crimes due to cocaine’s stimulant effects (impaired judgement, aggression, irritability)
- **crime: **fueled drug trafficking (organised crime), street-level violence (rivals between dealers = shootings), economic crimes ( addicts funding use by theft, prostitution), systemic impact ( overwhelms police, courts, prisons)
- addiction impacting physical + mental health
- cocaine-related deaths increasing: overdoses, trafficking violence + POLYDRUG USE (adulterants - toxic)
