Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2005
Source: Star, The (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com.my
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/922
Author: Diong Swee Hoon

SAY 'NO' TO DRUGS

TODAY is International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. 
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day serves 
as a reminder of the goal agreed upon by UN Member States of creating an 
international society free of drug abuse. The United Nations Office on 
Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selects a theme for the International Day each year 
and launches a year-long campaign to raise awareness about the global drug 
problem. The theme for 2005 is: "Value yourself ? make healthy choices". Of 
late we have been reading in our local papers about the growing number of 
drug abuse fatalities in youngsters, professionals and non-professionals 
alike. Unfortunately, many mixed messages are out there. On the one hand, 
you may see a commercial encouraging you to keep away from drugs of abuse. 
The next minute, you might be watching a movie where the character thinks 
drugs are cool.

The fact is, using illegal drugs is dangerous, period.

The message this year is self-respect, directed especially to young people 
around the world. It calls on youths to consider the health-related reasons 
why they should stay away from drugs or stop using them. Healthy choices 
are not only about saying "no" to drugs, but also about choosing healthy 
lifestyles: sports, music, theatre, civil service, and other positive 
activities.

Value yourself?

The 2005 anti-drugs campaign targets teenagers and young adults, a group 
that is particularly vulnerable to drug abuse. At this age, peer pressure 
to try illicit drugs can be strong, and self-esteem is often low. Moreover, 
those who take drugs tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware 
about the health risks involved.

While young people talk a lot about the "highs" induced by illegal drugs, 
they may not be aware of the many "lows". Negative effects vary depending 
on the type of drug consumed, the dose taken, and the frequency of use.

In some cases, drug abuse can cause serious depression, panic attack, 
irregular heartbeat, respiratory problems, and even sudden death. 
Furthermore, while under the influence of drugs, users may wrongly decide 
to have unprotected sex or share needles, thus increasing their chances of 
contracting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other infectious diseases.

Make healthy choices

Leading a healthy lifestyle requires making choices that are respectful of 
body and mind. To make these choices, the young need guidance from parents, 
teachers, and other role models, who should not only persuade them to stay 
away from illegal drugs, but also encourage them to engage in healthy 
activities. Sports are a good example.

Heroin is processed from morphine, a naturally occurring substance from the 
Asian opium poppy plant.

Young girls and boys who're involved in sports learn skills and values that 
will stay with them for a lifetime: self-confidence, discipline, teamwork, 
and fair play. Through sports, participants are confronted with ethical 
questions that can guide them in finding the right answers on and off the 
playing field. Sports also improve their health and wellbeing.

Some common drugs of abuse

# Cannabis (also known as bongo/ganja /grass/marijuana/pot/Thai sticks)

Cannabis is a tobacco-like greenish or brownish material made up of the 
dried flowering tops and leaves of the cannabis (hemp) plant. Cannabis 
resin or "hash" is the dried black or brown secretion of the flowering tops 
of the cannabis plant, which is made into a powder or pressed into slabs or 
cakes. Cannabis oil or "hash oil" is cannabis resin in liquid form.

Cannabis is by far the most cultivated, trafficked and abused illicit drug. 
About 147 million, or 2.5% of the world's population, consume cannabis 
annually.

All forms of cannabis are usually smoked. Cannabis resin and oil can also 
be ingested orally or brewed in tea. Cannabis can make users feel relaxed 
and heighten their sensory awareness. Thus, users may experience a more 
vivid sense of sight, smell, taste and hearing.

What are the risks associated with cannabis use? Short-term effects include 
increased appetite and pulse rate. While high, users' intellectual and 
physical abilities are impaired. With large doses, users may experience 
severely altered sensory perceptions and slow and confused thinking. If the 
dose is very large, the effects of cannabis are similar to those of 
hallucinogens, and may cause anxiety, panic and even psychotic episodes.

# Cocaine (also known as crack/bazooka/blanche/cake/coke/lady/ star dust)

Cocaine is a fine white or off-white powder that acts as a powerful 
stimulant. In its pure form, cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the 
coca plant. On the street, it can be diluted or "cut" with other substances 
to increase the quantity. Crack is cocaine that has been further processed 
with ammonia or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and looks like small 
flakes or rocks.

Prevalence rates for life-time use of cocaine are typically between 1% and 
3% in developed countries, with higher rates in the United States and in 
the producer countries of South America.

Cocaine is usually sniffed/snorted or injected, whereas crack is smoked. 
Cocaine can make users feel exhilarated and euphoric. Furthermore, users 
often experience a temporary increase in alertness and energy levels, and a 
postponement of hunger and fatigue.

What are the risks associated with cocaine use? Short-term effects include 
faster breathing and increases in body temperature and heart rate. Users' 
behaviour can also become bizarre, erratic and violent. Excessive doses of 
cocaine may lead to convulsions, seizures, stroke, cerebral haemorrhage 
(bleeding in the brain) or heart failure.

Long-term users of cocaine risk a number of health problems, some of them 
dependent on the method of ingestion. Sniffing cocaine severely damages 
nose tissue; smoking can cause respiratory problems, whilst injection can 
lead to abscesses and infectious diseases. Other risks, regardless of 
ingestion method, include dependency, malnutrition, weight loss, 
disorientation, apathy and a state similar to paranoid psychosis.

# Ecstasy (also known as E/snackies /New Yorkers/disco biscuits)

Ecstasy is a psychoactive stimulant. In fact, the term "ecstasy" does not 
refer to a single substance, but rather to a range of substances similar in 
chemistry and effects. It is usually distributed as a tablet or pill but 
can also be in powder or capsule forms. The tablets can be in many 
different shapes and sizes.

Over the last decade or so, ecstasy use has made its way into mainstream 
culture in certain countries. Younger people in particular often seem to 
possess a skewed sense of safety about ecstasy use, believing rather 
erroneously that the substance is safe and benign. It is usually taken 
orally but can also be snorted or injected.

Ecstasy can heighten users' empathy levels and induce a feeling of 
closeness to people around them. It is often used at "rave parties" to 
increase participants' sociability and energy levels.

What are the risks associated with ecstasy use? In the short term, ecstasy 
can make the body ignore distress signals such as dehydration, dizziness 
and exhaustion, and it can also interfere with the body's ability to 
regulate temperature. Furthermore, ecstasy can severely damage internal 
organs such as the liver and the kidneys, and sometimes lead to convulsions 
and heart failure.

Large doses of ecstasy also cause restlessness, anxiety and severe visual 
and auditory hallucinations. Longer-term ecstasy use can damage certain 
brain regions, resulting in serious depression and memory loss.

# Heroin (also known as smack/brown/h/horse/junk/harry/white lady)

Heroin is an addictive drug with painkilling properties processed from 
morphine, a naturally occurring substance from the Asian opium poppy plant. 
Pure heroin is a white powder. Street heroin is usually brownish white 
because it is diluted or "cut" with impurities, meaning each dose is 
different. It is usually injected but can also be snorted, smoked or inhaled.

Heroin can make users feel an initial surge of euphoria, along with a 
feeling of warmth and relaxation. Users also often become detached from 
emotional or physical distress, pain or anxiety.

What are the risks associated with heroin use? Short-term effects include 
constricted pupils, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, inability to concentrate 
and apathy. Furthermore, heroin is very addictive, and development of 
tolerance and physical and psychological dependence occurs rapidly.

Long-term heroin use has a variety of severe health effects. Among other 
things, it can cause severe weight loss and malnutrition that can lead to 
damaged veins and liver disease. It can also lead to menstrual 
irregularity, sedation and chronic apathy.

Abruptly quitting heroin use leads to moderate/ severe withdrawal symptoms 
such as cramps, diarrhoea, tremors, panic, running nose, chills and sweats. 
When taking heroin, users risk taking an overdose, which can lead to coma 
and death through respiratory depression.

Reference: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. 
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Diong Swee Hoon is a pharmacist. For more information, e-mail  The information provided is for educational 
purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does 
not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness 
or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star 
disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal 
injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom