Transcript Americans rank drug abuse as the second most serious problem

Americans rank drug abuse as
the second most serious problem
facing this country. Closely
behind, violent crime and ahead
of health care, welfare, and
federal budget deficit.
Personal and Social Problems
Associated with Drug Taking
Behavior
• Toxicity
• Potential for Drug Dependence
• Connection between drug use
and violence and crime
Good Drugs VS Bad Drugs
• All drugs can be toxic.
• Culture weighs the positive consequences
of use against negative consequences of
use.
• Money-Revenue
• Morals & Values
Chapter 2 Definitions (1)
Toxicity-The physical or psychological
harm that a drug might present to the user.
Dose-The quantity of the drug that is taken
into the body, typically measures in
milligrams or micrograms.
Chapter 2 Definitions (2)
Acute Toxicity-The physical and
psychological harm a drug presents to the
user immediately or soon after the drug is
ingested into the body.
Chronic Toxicity-The physical or
psychological harm a drug might cause over
a long period of time.
Chapter 2 Definitions (3)
Effective Dose-The minimal dose of drug
necessary to produce the intended effect in
a given percentage of the population.
Lethal Dose-The minimal dose of drug
capable of producing death in a given
percentage of the population.
Emergency Room Visits
1. Alcohol in Combination
2. Cocaine
3. Heroin
4. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Deaths Directly Related to
Drug Use
1. Cocaine
2. Heroin/morphine
3. Alcohol in combination
4. Codeine
Licit Vs Illicit Drugs
Deaths:
Tobacco 434,000 per year
Alcohol 125,000 per year
Cocaine 8000 per year
Alcohol in combination 7,600 per year
Heroin/Morphine 6,500 per year
Drug Tolerance
Tolerance-The capacity of a drug to
produce a gradually diminished
physical or psychological effect upon
repeated administrations of the drug
at the same dose level.
(It takes more of a drug to get the
same effect)
Behavioral Tolerance-The process of drug
tolerance that is linked to drug taking
behavior occurring consistently in
surrounding or under the same
circumstances.
Withdrawal-A wide array physiological
responses to withdrawal of a substance
from the body.
(typically, associated with physical
dependence)
Special Problems Related to
Drug Abuse
Drug Abuse in Pregnancy
-Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
-Fetal Alcohol Effect
-Birth Defects
Drug Abuse and AIDS
-IV Drug Use
Drug Abuse and Violence
Pharmacological Violence-Violent acts
committed under the influence of a
psychoactive drug.
Economical Compulsive Violence-Violent
acts that are committed by drug abuser to
secure money to buy drugs.
Systemic Violence-Violence arising from the
trafficking of illicit drugs.
Drug Use and Violence
Connection
20 - 35% of Suicides
62% of Assaults
52% of Rapes
38% of Child Abuse Cases
69% of Drowning
50% Traffic Fatalities
49% of Murders
Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention Act,
1970
Schedule of Drugs (1)
Schedule 1: High potential for abuse.
No accepted medical use (heroin, LSD,
marijuana)
Schedule 2: High potential for abuse.
Accepted medical use, may lead to severe
psychological and/or physiological
dependence. (morphine, cocaine, codeine)
Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention Act,
1970-Schedule of Drugs (1)
Schedule 3: Some potential for abuse. Accepted
medical use. Low to moderate risk of
dependence. (long-acting barbiturates, narcotic
solutions).
Schedule 4: Low potential for abuse. Accepted
medical use. (anti-anxiety-valium, xanax)
Schedule 5: Minimal potential for abuse.
(Prescription cough medicines, laxatives)
The War on Drugs
Interdiction VS Supply and Demand
Use Reduction VS Harm Reduction
Governmental Responsibilities VS Personal
Responsibility
Prevention/Treatment VS Incarceration
Substance Abuse:
A diagnostic term used to
describe an individual who
continues to take a psychoactive
substance despite the fact the
drug taking behavior creates
specific problems for that
individual.
Substance Dependence:
A diagnostic term used to identify an
individual with significant signs of a
dependent relationship upon a psychoactive
drug.
Example: Tolerance, withdrawal, Loss of
control, persistent unsuccessful attempts to
quit using the drug.
Psychological Dependence
• Psychological dependence occurs when
there is an uncontrollable need or desire
to continue the use of a substance.
• Signs of psychological dependence
include:
– continued use despite negative consequences
– using to mask feelings
– obsession with getting the substance