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What are drugs?
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.
In pharmacology, a drug is "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being." Drugs may be prescribed for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.
Recreational drugs are chemical substances that affect the central nervous system, such as opioids or hallucinogens. They may be used for perceived beneficial effects on perception, consciousness, personality, and behavior. Some drugs can cause addiction and habituation.
Recreational drugs use is the use of psychoactive substances to have fun, for the experience, or to enhance an already positive experience. National laws prohibit the use of many different recreational drugs and medicinal drugs that have the potential for recreational use are heavily regulated. Many other recreational drugs on the other hand are legal, widely culturally accepted, and at the most have an age restriction on using and/or purchasing them. These include alcohol, tobacco, betel nut, and caffeine products.
Drugs are usually distinguished from endogenous biochemicals by being introduced from outside the organism. For example, insulin is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it is called a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the body, but if it is introduced into the body from outside, it is called a drug.
Many natural substances such as beers, wines, and some mushrooms, blur the line between food and drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both mind and body.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drugs
The Legality of drugs?
The different kinds of illegal drugs are divided into three different categories, or classes. These classes (A, B and C) carry different levels of penalty for possession and dealing. The Misuse of Drugs Act (new window) is the main piece of legislation covering drugs and their categorisation.
Penalties for possession and dealing:
Class A: Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cocaine, crack, magic mushrooms, amphetamines (if prepared for injection).
Possession: Up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Dealing: Up to life in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Class B: Amphetamines, Cannabis, Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Pholcodine.
Possession: Up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Dealing: Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Class C: Tranquilisers, some painkillers, Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Ketamine.
Possession: Up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Dealing: Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
All of the drugs on the list above - whether Class A, B or C - are designated as controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and using them is illegal. Class A drugs are considered to be the most likely to cause harm.
The Misuse of Drugs Act states that it is an offence to:
- possess a controlled substance unlawfully
- possess a controlled substance with intent to supply it
- supply or offer to supply a controlled drug (even if it is given away for free)
- allow a house, flat or office to be used by people taking drugs
The punishment is serious. Drug trafficking attracts serious punishment, including life imprisonment for Class A offences. To enforce this law the police have special powers to stop, detain and search people under the 'reasonable suspicion’ that they are in possession of a controlled drug.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/drugs-law/Class-a-b-c/
Drug misuse can be dangerous for three main reasons:
- you could become addicted to the drug,
- the drug could cause physical and psychological harm, and
- drug abuse can have a negative effect on your quality of life.
Addiction
How addictive a drug is likely to be is determined by two things:
- how pleasurable taking the drug is, and
- how quickly the drug reaches your brain.
Drugs that are smoked, injected or snorted can reach the brain very quickly and are usually more addictive than drugs that are swallowed.
In 2007, the medical journal The Lancet commissioned a number of drug experts to asses how potentially addictive the most popular illegal drugs are. The results, in order of addictiveness with the most addictive at the top, were:
- Heroin.
- Cocaine.
- Tranquillisers.
- Amphetamines.
- Ketamine.
- Cannabis.
- Hallucinogens.
- Ecstasy.
The wider impact of drug misuse
As well as the impact on your health, drug misuse can have a negative effect on your quality of life and relationships with others.
Many drug abusers find that they lose touch with their family and friends or that their family and friends lose patience with them due to their unreasonable behaviour.
Hobbies, interests and ambitions can be forgotten as drugs become more and more important. It can become increasingly difficult to hold down a job if you have a drug problem.
People with a serious drug addiction, such as a heroin, cocaine or crack addiction, often resort to desperate, illegal and dangerous activities to find money to pay for their drugs. Examples include:
- begging,
- burglary,
- shop-lifting,
- street crime, such as mugging or bag snatching, and
- prostitution
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