Drugs addiction leads to cmoplex social problems
Drugs addiction leads to cmoplex social problems
By T. Sima Gunawan
JAKARTA (JP): The abuse of narcotics, psychotropic and other
addictive substances affects not only physical and mental health,
but can also create complex social problems.
Drug addiction can affect the user's perception, as well as
his or her thinking, creativity and emotions. In the end, it can
change a person's behavior. An overdose of a drug can be deadly.
All narcotic and psychotropic substances share a similar
effect: addiction.
The Ministry of Social Services recognizes the following
narcotics and psychotropic substances:
* Narcotics: The word narcotics is derived from the Greek word
narkoun, meaning to make paralyzed or to create a state of
anesthesia. Narcotics can relieve pain, soothe the senses and
cause sleep.
According to Law No. 9/1976 on Narcotics there are two
categories of narcotics: plant-based drugs like opium, marijuana,
cannabis, and cocaine; and synthetic narcotics like Pethidine and
Methadone.
Opium is obtained from Eurasian poppies (Papaver somnifenura).
The seeds contain white resin which is turned into brownish-black
raw opium. The raw opium is cooked and shaped into squares before
consumption.
Opium can relieve pain and sooth the senses, but can be
harmful to health and is addictive. Opium addicts can be
psychologically distracted and intolerant of other people.
Opium can be processed and made into morphine, which is more
powerful than opium.
The word morphine is derived from the Latin Morpheus, the god
of dreams of the ancient Romans.
Morphine is derived from the alkaloid present in opium.
Morphine, in the form of white crystal, can relieve pain,
decrease blood pressure, soothe the senses and cause sleep. Its
medical use is limited because it is addictive.
Heroin is made from morphine and has even stronger euphoric
effects. Heroin is a brown crystal which can alleviate pain and
soothe the senses. It is too addictive to be used in medical
treatment.
Methadone is a synthetic drug with similar effects to
morphine. The liquid is used to treat morphine, heroin and opium
addicts.
Marijuana is obtained from the leaves of pistillate hemp and
contains the psychoactive substance 9 THC (tetrahidro
cannabinol). It is widely found in North Sumatra, Aceh and
several parts of Java. The resin and flower of marijuana can be
processed into hashish, which is dark green or brown.
Both are addictive, but have fewer psychological and emotional
effects than other narcotics.
Cocaine is obtained from coca leaves (Erythroxylon cocae)
which is found in South America but is rare in Indonesia. Highly
purified cocaine is called crack. Both can stimulate the central
nervous system and activate bodily functions. Cocaine can cause
inflammation of the nose when inhaled.
Cocaine is a powerful local anesthetic and intoxicant. It is
toxic to the brain and may cause agitation, disorientation and
convulsions. The addictive drug is no longer used for medical
treatment.
* Psychotropic drugs affect emotions and behavior.
Psychotrophics are also addictive and result in psychological
problems.
The three major psychotropic drugs are depressants, stimulants
and hallucinogens.
Depressants can relieve the activities of the nervous system,
and cause sleep. Barbiturates like Mogadon, Rophypnol, Sedatin
(BK), Dumolid, Methaqualone, Activan, Nitrazepan, Metalium,
Nabaium, Librium, Valium and Fritium are all depressants.
A stimulant agitates the nervous system so people taking the
drugs are more energetic and enthusiastic. Stimulants include
amphetamines like Coptagon, Dexedrin, Lorxyl, Lumbritol, Merital,
Retalin, Tofranil, Tolvan, Tranxene and Reactivan, as well as
cocaine and caffeine.
Hallucinogens are natural or synthetic chemicals which change
perception and emotions so a person cannot distinguish between
reality and fantasy. Abusers can't comprehend time or distance,
they become paranoid and have hallucinations. LSD (Lysergic Acid
Dietlamide) and cacti which contain mescaline are hallucinogens.
* Addictive substances are substances other than narcotics and
psychotropics which affect the mind, feelings and behavior. They
include alcohol, certain types of mushroom, and kecubung (datura
plant).
Alcohol can soothe the nerves and can affect bodily functions
and behavior. Different kinds of liquor contain different levels
of alcohol. Beer is 1 to 5 percent alcohol, wine 5 to 20 percent,
and whisky is 20 to 55 percent.
It is argued that alcohol is more dangerous than other drugs
because it stimulates the nerves, is an anesthetic and creates a
sense of euphoria.
The ministry's list, issued in 1991, did not include the now
popular substance, Ecstasy.
Ecstasy is the street name of a designer substance brewed by
street pharmacists. Other designer drugs available in Jakarta are
angel dust, peace pills, crystal, crack, horse tranq's, speed,
rocket fuel and super grass. Ecstasy contains either MDMA (N,
alphadimethyl-3,4-methylenexdioxy-phenethylamine) or MDA (alpha-
methyl-3, 4-methylenedioxy-phethylamine). A number of substances
such as lactose, mannitol, caffeine, heroine and cocaine are
usually added to Ecstasy pills.
According to data from the Hospital for Drug Dependency in
Jakarta, Ecstasy is not a drug or a narcotic, it is a
psychotropic substance which is said to provide a surge of energy
and vitality, and a blissful, hallucinogenic sense of euphoria.
Dr. Al Bahri Husin, the hospital director, says the
consumption of either MDMA or MDA, the main substances in
Ecstasy, can have great physical impact on the brain's neuron
cells.
The substances also absorb a lot of liquid and can therefore
cause severe dehydration. Frequent use of Ecstasy is certainly
harmful because the body wastes too much energy which can cause
both physical and mental exhaustion.
When substances such as heroine, metal or cocaine are mixed
into Ecstasy pills, the result could be a lethal overdose that
attacks the heart and affects breathing and blood pressure.