Drugs

Drugs are the chemical elements which directly harm the nervous system and brain with stimulating effects. As a result, organs get neither relaxed nor excited. WHO has defined drugs as ‘any chemical entity or mixture of entities, other than those required for the maintenance of normal health, the administration of which alters the biological function and possibly, structure’

Classification of drugs

Drugs are classified into three general categories based on their primary effects on human on the human body:

1. Depressants (Downers)
   

   These are the substances, which suppress vital body function especially those of the brain and its parts. As such, they dull the mind and slow down body reactions, which often lead to accidental death and suicides. The depressants include the narcotics, barbiturates, tranquillizers, alcohol and the volatile solvents.

   

   
2. Stimulants (Uppers)
   

   These drugs produce opposite effects to that depressants. Instead of bringing about relaxation and sleep, they produced increased mental alertness, reduce hunger and provide the feeling of well being. Hence, they have the slang name ‘uppers’, ‘pep pills’ and ‘lid poppers’. Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine and caffeine are some of the substances with great potential abuse.
3. Hallucinogens (Psychedelics, Psychotropic)
   

   These constitute a variety of mind-alerting drugs, which distort reality, thinking and perception of time, sound, space and sensation. Thus they produce hallucinations, which at a time can be bizarre and mimic insanity. Experiences may be predicting whether a trip will be good or bad. Varying reaction depends on several factors like the mindset, setting, dose, quantity of the drug used.

Causes

1. To satisfy curiosity and to have different/new experience
2. Peer pressure
3. Influence of western culture
4. To avoid mental tension and anxiety
5. Failure and depression
6. Religious factors

Effects

1. Social isolation
2. Development of physical dependency
3. Chance of infertility
4. Nausea and vomiting
5. Loss of appetite, loss of weight and loss of memory power
6. Reduction in body immunity power
7. Intoxicated and high chance of accident
8. Effect in reproductive health and infertility
9. Socio-economic crimes and problems

Preventive measures

1. Creating awareness by health education against dreadful effect of drugs
2. Strict check up on the trafficking of drugs
3. Avoid friendship of bad mates
4. Formulate and effectively implement appropriate rules and regulations related to drugs.
5. Conducting rehabilitation programs and centre for counselling with love and affection to the addicts
6. More interaction between parents and their children