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.