Community Information Drugs and Alcohol Factsheet 1 - Drugs and Drug Problems Created by Foundation for Local Development Thailand www.fldasia.org February 2014 1 Drugs and Alcohol – Factsheet 1: Drugs and Drug Problems 2 COMMUNITY INFORMATION - Ethnic Peace Resources Project (www.eprpinformation.org) This Factsheet explains what drugs are, their effects and the problems they can cause for people. What is a drug? A drug is: “a chemical substance that affects the body in some way”. A drug can affect different parts of the body, such as the kidneys or liver or stomach or heart or the brain. There are many different types of drugs. Most drugs are made in laboratories, although some drugs come from plants. When they are made from plants they are usually called “herbs”. Different types of drugs Drugs are used to manage sickness (such as those that are used to treat malaria or infections) or improve health (such as vitamins or herbs). Drugs that are used to manage sickness or to improve health are also called medicines. The word “drug” is often used to describe those substances that are taken for recreation. That is, a substance taken not to fix illness or improve health, but because a person wants the effect the drug has on their mood, their level of alertness, and their perceptions. Some drugs that people use for recreation are legal (alcohol, betel nuts, tobacco). Other drugs that people use for recreation are illegal (opium, heroin, marijuana and amphetamines, yaba, ya-ice). Why do people use drugs? People use drugs for many reasons including: • Medical: Doctors prescribe drugs (medicines) for illnesses such as infections, malaria, diabetes. These drugs can be harmful to health if not used properly. • Social or Ceremonial: In many cultures everyday life involves the use of drugs such as alcohol, betel nut or tobacco. Alcohol is often used as a symbol of hospitality and friendship. • Relaxation: Drugs such as alcohol, amphetamines, tranquillisers, marijuana, coffee and opium are used by some people to feel more comfortable in social situations. Drugs and Alcohol – Factsheet 1: Drugs and Drug Problems 3 COMMUNITY INFORMATION - Ethnic Peace Resources Project (www.eprpinformation.org) • Peer pressure / belonging: Some young people take drugs because they want to be the same as others in their social group. • Pleasure: Some drugs such as cannabis and LSD are used because they can provide strong feelings of pleasure or excitement. They can also cause very uncomfortable feelings in some people. • Managing pain: Drugs can temporarily help people stop feeling physical, psychological or emotional pain. • Exploration & experimentation: Some people - particularly young people – want to try things that are different. Some are trying to understand their own minds and emotions. • Dependence or addiction: Some people develop a dependence or addiction to drugs. This is a major problem with illegal drugs as they can lead to people spending a lot of money on the drug, and having problems in relationships with family and friends and work. Drugs such as opium are very addictive. Nicotine is a legal drug, and does not harm social relationships like opium, but is very addictive and harmful to health. The effects of any drug will be different depending on a number of things, including: • How much is taken • How it is taken (how often, with or without other drugs) • The individual (age, sex, weight, past use of the drug, mood and activities while using the drug) What types of drugs are there? The drugs that are used for recreation are ‘psychoactive’ drugs. That is, these drugs affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and so change the way we feel and think and sense things around us. Psychoactive drugs can be put into 3 groups depending on the way they affect the central nervous system. 1. Depressants Depressants slow down the central nervous system. These drugs decrease alertness, produce feelings of calmness, relaxation and drowsiness. In large doses they can produce deep sleep, emotional depression, poor motor co-ordination, coma and sometimes death. Common drugs in this group are alcohol, tranquillisers (such as valium), barbiturates, opium based drugs, and marijuana in low doses. 2. Stimulants Stimulants speed up the central nervous system. These drugs speed the body up and produce excessive talking, over-activity, irritability, nervousness, euphoria Drugs and Alcohol – Factsheet 1: Drugs and Drug Problems 4 COMMUNITY INFORMATION - Ethnic Peace Resources Project (www.eprpinformation.org) (happiness) and insomnia (lack of sleep). In large doses they can cause seizures (fits) and possible death from muscle spasm. Common drugs in this group are amphetamines (ya-ba, ya-ice), caffeine, cocaine and betel nut. 3. Hallucinogens Hallucinogens alter or change the central nervous system. These drugs alter the messages received by the brain. This produces hallucinations. Hallucinations are when a person sees, hears or feels something quite differently to the real thing. Hallucinations can be caused by other means such as illness or trance states for example. Common drugs in this group are LSD, ya-E, marijuana in high doses, and other “party” drugs. Some people also use solvents (petrol, glue and spray cans) known as “sniffers”. These are very dangerous and frequent use always leads to brain damage, and sometimes death. How drugs work There are 4 main ways for a drug to get into the body: 1. Orally - through the mouth, by swallowing. 2. Injection - directly into the veins (intravenous or IV), into muscle (intramuscular or IM), or under skin (subcutaneous or SC). 3. Inhalation - through the lungs. 4. Absorption - through the mucous membranes, e.g. nose, mouth, rectum. When a drug enters the body it is absorbed into the blood stream and travels to all areas of the body and to the brain. The drug is eventually broken down and made less toxic (usually by the liver) and excreted in waste (mostly in urine). Terms relating to drug use Here are some commonly used terms relating to drug use that apply to all drugs taken for any reason. Intoxication means that the person is obviously affected by a drug. Abuse means using so much of the drug that the person is severely affected, and unable to function normally. The person may not use the drug often, but when they do they take a high dose. For example, some people do not drink alcohol often, but when they do they drink so much that they become sick, or even unconscious. Tolerance develops from continuous use of some drugs. This means that a person using the drug needs larger doses to achieve the same effect they once had from low doses. Drugs and Alcohol – Factsheet 1: Drugs and Drug Problems 5 COMMUNITY INFORMATION - Ethnic Peace Resources Project (www.eprpinformation.org) Drug dependence is when a person feels a strong need for occasional or everyday use of the drug, and feels very uncomfortable without it. It usually refers to a strong desire for the drug, but may not have a physical addiction. Addiction occurs when a person needs a drug to function normally, and is unable to stop use of a drug without experiencing bad physical and psychological effects. Some drugs are much more addictive than other drugs, and some people are more likely to become addicted than others. Drugs based on opium (heroin, morphine) are very addictive. Tobacco is also very addictive, as are cocaine and alcohol. Some prescription drugs like benzodiazepine are also highly addictive. Withdrawal symptoms are what people who are addicted experience when they stop using the drug. They can be minor or severe feelings of discomfort, anxiety, cramps, sweating. Some people find it very hard to manage such withdrawal symptoms, and choose instead to keep using the drug. Overdose is when a person takes too much of the drug. With some drugs, this is only uncomfortable. With other drugs such as heroin, this can cause death. Why is drug use a problem? The main problem with drug use is the risk of abuse, dependence or addiction. Drug abuse with many drugs (heroin, alcohol or yaba) can harm physical health, interfere with family and work responsibilities, and cause problems in relationships. Other drugs also can have very bad physical effects. Tobacco has been shown to cause cancer in the mouth, throat and lungs. Chewing betel nuts causes cancers of the mouth. Marijuana can cause mental health problems. QUICK DRUG REFERENCE The following provides some more detailed information about the most commonly used drugs in Asia. These are: • ya ba / ya ice (methamphetamines) • opiates • alcohol • tobacco • marijuana (cannabis) • betel nut Methamphetamines (Ya ba or Ya ice) Ya ba is found easily in Myanmar and Thailand. It is cheap, and is often used by factory workers and drivers so that they can work longer hours. It is usually taken Drugs and Alcohol – Factsheet 1: Drugs and Drug Problems 6 COMMUNITY INFORMATION - Ethnic Peace Resources Project (www.eprpinformation.org) orally, although it can be injected or smoked. Ya ice is a stronger form of the drug, and is usually smoked or injected. Short term effects. Changes in mood, increased energy, talkative, restless, alert, reduced appetite, rise in heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils, increased sex drive, risk of HIV, hepatitis and heart attack. Larger doses, longer use Very strange behaviour, excitability, a feeling of power, being aggressive towards other people, delusions, hallucinations, violence, high blood pressure, dry mouth, fever, loss of weight, sweating and insomnia. Long-term effects: Ya ba decreases the appetite and also increases the metabolism of the body. So it is easy to lose weight with ya ba, although the poor nutrition means people are more likely to develop infections and other illnesses. Can lead to work, financial and family problems.