Definitions:


Drug Abuse
Drug Addiction
Drug Dependence
Drug Habit
Drug Tolerance
Drug Syndicate

2. Signs of Drug Abuse

3. Signs of Abuse of
   Specific Drugs

4. Hazards and
   Effects

6. Types:
   
   Depressants/Sedatives
   
   Narcotics
   Opium
   heroin
   Morphine
   Barbiturates
   Tranquillizers
   

   Stimulants
   
   Amphetamines
   Cocaine
   

   Hallucinogens
   
   Mescalene
   Marijuana
   LSD
   

7. Other substances of
   Abuse

8. Teenagers and Drugs

9. Street Drugs

10. Drugs in the Elderly

11. Drugs in Sports

12. Abuse and Misuse of
    legal Drugs

13. Dependence on
    Analgesics

14. How to Recognize drug abuse
    and addiction

OTHER SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE

SOLVENTS or INHALANTS

Solvents are non-drug substances. Yet they are encountered in drug abuse situa- tions. They have given rise, in fact, to new terms in drugs talk; like: glue-sniffing, gasoline-inhaling.

The solvents include: glue, gasoline, kerosene, shellac, ether, paint thinner, lacquer, lighter fluid, refrigerants (freon), carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, styrofoam, shoe polish, breath sprays, other volatile substances. Their fumes or vapors are inhaled to produce a "high."

The common solvent abuses are:

1. Glue Sniffing: glue is squeezed into a paper or plastic bag; its vapors are inhaled. After a number of "drags," the gluesniffer gets gay, happy and perked up, lik with alcohol's initial effect Then he suffers: blurring of vision, ringing ears, slurred speech, vivid hallucinations, foggy memory, body discoordination, a shuffling gait or walk. This drunkenness period lasts 30 to 45 minutes, after which comes: drowsiness, stupor, vomiting, even unconsciousness. Upon recovery, the abuser does not recall what happened while he was "high" with the solvent. Harmful effects: toluene, the active element in glue, irritates the eyes and mucous membranes; if stupor occurs while the sniffer is using the plastic bag, he may suffocate, and die.

2. Lighter Fluid Inhaling: induces a state of euphoria (wellbeing) and drunkenness, much like in glue-snifflng; sustained abuse leads to unconsciousness.

3. Gasoline Inhaling: produces the same effects as lighter fluid; it is more toxic (poisonous) and harmful.

4. Ether Sniffing: produces euphoria and "release"; it is somewhat difficult for most abusers to obtain.

5. Refrigerants Inhaling: like glue, it gives a "high"; if inhaled directly, serious damage, such as freezing of the throat and lungs, may occur.

Serious medical problems can attend solvent inhaling. These substances, obviously never meant to be taken by man, contain a variety of chemicals, some quite dangerous. Others are toxic only when used over long periods.

The chief dangers are: death by suffocation, state of drunkenness, psychotic (violent insanity) behavior, a clouded or foggy mental state, coma, temporary blindness.

A severe type of anemia also develops in glue-sniffers with inherent blood cells defects (sickle-cell disease). It is also known: solvents damage the kidneys, liver, heart, brain and blood. In some cases, death has resulted.

Solvents, as far as is known, do not cause physical addiction. but they create body tolerance, shown by abusers increasing amounts the amounts they inhale, and cause psychological or mental habituation.

OTHER ABUSED DRUGS

Other drugs not listed among the "dangerous durgs" are similarly abused. They include:

1. Ethyl Alcoholl: induces a state of euphoria and releases inhibitions. In large amounts, it decreases mental alertness and impairs body coordination. Chronic abuse leads to extensive body damage, like: cirrhosis of the liver, gastritis, Korsakoff syndrome (a form of psychosis or insanity), malnutrition. Delirium tremens may hit a few hours after the last dose of a prolonged heavy use of ethyl alcohol. Symptoms: anxiety, confusion, delusional thinking, hallucinations, stomach cramps, weakness and tremors. This is a medical emergency situation.

2. Amyl Nitrite (Snappies): used medically to relieve pain associated with asthma and heart disorders. It comes in small glass vials wrapped in cloth. The vials are broken and the vapor is inhaled, producing rapid effects (within 30 seconds), such as flushing of the face, throbbing of the head and chest, a body "rush," dizziness.

3. Asthma Cigarettes (Asthmador): contain fibers of jimson weed, long used for its mind-altering properties by Mexican and American Indians. Smoked in large quantities, they cause a flushing of the face, blurred vision and excitation, marked by talkativeness, restlessness and mental confusion.

Kitchen spices, garden seeds and wild plants have been abused since the Middle Ages. The most commonly abused are:

1. Nutmeg: produces a happy-happy sense and intoxication when taken in large quantities.
2. Morning Glory Seeds: abused for their hallucinogenic effects. The bizarre behavioral effects are produced by a psychoactive substance in the seeds, much like LSD's. It is almost as potent as LSD.
3. Belladonna & Jin'son Weed: long used as intoxicants; they were the ingredients of the witches' brew of old. The notion that witches flew on broomsticks was the result of hallucinations of those under the influence of these powerful plants. Dryness of the mouth and skin, a high fever and dilated pupils are characteristic effects of these weeds. They grow wild in many parts of the world.

   DRUGS WITH CAUTIONARY LABELS

   Any drug which bears a cautionary label warning against dispensing without a physician's prescription can be abused. They are abused at great peril to the abuser. Examples: Darvon Compound, Valium, Librium.

   ANALGESICS

   Analgesics are common headache, cold and fever pills. They can be purchased in any drugstore without prescription. They can prove poisonous if excessively used. Examples:

   Aspirin
   Excedrin
   AIka-Seltzer
   Empirin
   Burferin
   Bromo-Seltzer
   etc
   

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