DRUGS AND THE WAR AGAINST THEM

The United Nations has designated June 26th, since 1988, as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

In a special meeting of the UN, in February 1990, the last decade of the 20th century was declared the “Decade of the Fight Against Drugs”.

GENERALIZATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

DRUG is any substance (except foods) that is absorbed to modify the way the body or mind functions. By acting on the central nervous system (CNS), the abusive use of a drug causes physical and mental disturbances, as well as leads to a state of physical dependence, psychological dependence, and tolerance.

According to the World Health Organization - WHO (1973) a drug is considered:

• Any substance that, when introduced into the organism, modifies one or more of its functions;
• Any substance suspected of causing dependence and which may have serious psychotoxic effects.

NARCOTIC is a substance that induces a state of numbness or artificial sleep. The term “narcotic” comes from the Greek word “narkè” which means “numbness”. This substance slows down vital functions and/or mental activity, as well as reduces sensitivity.

PSYCHOTROPIC is any substance that acts on the psyche, modifying mental functioning, producing changes in perceptions, mood, consciousness, behavior, and various psychological and organic functions. The term psychotropic means “that acts, that gives a direction (trope) in the soul or in behavior (psycho)”. More specifically, the term psychotropic refers to medicines used in the treatment of mental disorders, such as neuroleptics, anxiolytics, etc.

NARCOTIC is called the substance, the psychoactive effects of which can produce effects of tolerance and dependence. More correctly, this term should not be used except when dealing with central nervous system depressants such as opiates.

TOXICOMANIA

Definition of Schmelck (1993):

1. Repeated consumption of a drug that brings, for a period of time that is more or less short, the compelling desire to consume it again and to have it by any means.
2. Due to the body's adaptation to the effects of this drug, the subject will move towards increasing its dose (tolerance).
3. Then the phenomenon of "enslavement" appears, not only psychological but also physical (dependency).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (1950), drug addiction is seen as:

“A state of periodic or chronic intoxication (poisoning), harmful to the individual and to society, caused by the repeated consumption of a drug (natural or synthetic), with the following characteristics:

• An irresistible desire or need to continue the consumption of the substance and to find it by any means;
• A tendency to increase the dose (tolerance);
• A psychological and sometimes physical dependency on its effects;
• An action with harmful consequences (emotional, social, economic).”

SOME REASONS FOR CONSUMPTION

• Satisfying curiosity, the desire to experiment in order to know the effect of the product;
• The demand for escapism (departure from reality), the effect of fame, euphoria, and well-being;
• Responding to peer pressure; conformity (the world of rock music). Favoritism in social exchange (example: alcohol = social lubricant);
• The need for security and self-confidence, to face problems;
• Increasing creativity and artistic performance; favoritism, from hallucinations, of the religious experience;
• Reduction of anxiety, forgetting a pain or a failure;
• Increasing sexual appetite.

THE LEGALITY OF THE EFFECT

E=S+I+R

The experience (effect) (E) that accompanies consumption is related to:

The Substance (S)

• Pharmacological properties;
• The amount of drug absorbed or the dosing;
• Method of intake and absorption;
• Duration, frequency, and rhythm of consumption;
• Quality and interaction of substances.

The Individual (I)

• Biological factors;
• Psychological factors.

The Context (circumstances) (R)

• Cultural factors;
• Environmental contextual factors (availability, stress, etc).

CONSEQUENCES OF ABUSE

Drugs can be consumed in a moderate way or abusively, but the consequences are not the same in both cases. The risks associated with drug consumption (addiction, debts, legal judgment, etc.) can vary according to:

• The individual's personality;
• His social circle;
• The nature and legal status of the consumed products;
• The use the person makes of them.

Drugs are considered dangerous when their use leads to negative consequences for the consumer's physical, mental, social, and economic well-being.

Drug:

• Alienates the person from any other center of interest.
• Is not a pleasant experience.
• Does not have the ability to choose not to enter the path of drugs.
• Is a trap in which any person can fall.