Illicit Drugs Case Study 14 year-old boy was admitted to PICU with acute paralysis: Rt hemiplegia and Lt hemiparesis Urine was positive for MDMA (Ecstasy) The child denied initially use of ecstasy Case Study 12 year old girl was admitted to the PICU in coma Ethanol blood level was 250 mg% Study conclusion Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use (AIDU) The highest risk of illicit drug use is between the ages of 12 and 25 years. Objectives of recent studies To characterize the teenage that presents to the ED of a general hospital with regard to the presenting complaints, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, and the use of particular drugs. Results Median age of use 16 More males than females No socioeconomic trend, but lower socioeconomic families are less likely to seek help in ED Drug Abuse In 2001, 15.9 million Americans aged 12 and older were current users of illicit drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Men have higher rates of current illicit drug use use than women Drug Abuse 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. More drug statistics Fewer americans using illegal drugs Estimate 6% of population twelve and older use illegal drugs That is down from highest in 1979 Still more than one third of all americans have tried illicit drugs Gateway drugs? 75% of all drug users have used marijuana at some point Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug Drug Abuse It is used by 75% of those reporting drug abuse 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Marijuana is readily available among young people in both public and private schools Drug Abuse 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Myth busters Three quarters of drug users are gainfully employed. Almost half of Americans know someone with a drug abuse problem Drug related problems effect every socio economic group, educational level and ethnicity Drugs and Crime 75% of adult males arrested for violent crimes in NY tested positive for drugs Half of all domestic violence involves drugs 75% of evidence being evaluated in crime labs in US is from drug related crimes In 2000, Americans spent $62.3 billion to buy illegal drugs Drug Abuse Costs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Drugs defined Drug: any natural or synthetic substance designed to affect humans psychologically or physically some drugs are able to pass through your body and into your brain and effect neurotransmitters (chemical signals in brain) Poison Any drug in excessive amounts is a poison Poison: any substance in body that negatively effects metabolism. Bad for you Metabolism: sum total of ALL chemical reactions in your body Illicit v. controlled Illicit drug: taken only for pleasure. No medicinal value Controlled substance: any drug restricted by law Law Pharmaceutical companies: give sample of ALL products to FBI Schedule of controlled subst. Federal: DEA Drug Enforcement Administration Schedule I drugs: No acceptable medical use High abuse risk Schedule II Prescription must be written in ink and signed No renewals High abuse Severe psychotic or physical dependence Schedule III Prescription can be in pencil Small amount of narcotic in it Schedule IV and V May not need prescription Addictive Hard drugs are physically addictive Heroine, morphine, cocaine, nicotine Soft drugs are not physically addictive Marijuana, LSD, Mescaline Psychological addiction Caffeine, ketamine, marijuana Class A B & C Class A Highly addictive, Very dangerous POSSESSION: up to 7 yrs in prison DEALING: up to life in prison Example: ecstasy, LSD, crack, cocaine Class B Highly addictive, moderate danger POSSESSION: up to 5 yrs in prison DEALING: up to 14 years in prison Example: Amphetamines, meth,vicodine Class C Not physically addictive POSSESSION: up to 2 years in prison DEALING: up to 14 years in prison Example: cannabis, tranquilisers, GHB, ketamine Types of Illegal Drugs Stimulants Depressants Cannabis Narcotics Hallucinogen Anabolic steroids Inhalants Designer drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Street use of these drugs is intended to induce pleasure, Narcotics Types of Illegal Drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. euphoria, a lack of concern, and general feelings of well-being Types of Illegal Drugs Narcotics 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Opium, heroin, morphine, methadone, codeine, Dilaudid Types of Illegal Drugs Narcotics 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Stimulants Stimulate the central nervous system Types of Illegal Drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Produce higher heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and increased mental activity Types of Illegal Drugs Stimulants 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Cocaine, crack cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines Types of Illegal Drugs Stimulants 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Depressant Depress Central Nervous System Slow heart rate Decrease blood pressure Slow reaction time Slower mental processing Hinder memory Examples: alcohol, GHB, tranquilizers Depressants Used illegally to produce intoxication, to counter the effects of other drugs,... Types of Illegal Drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Barbiturates Sedatives Tranquilizers Types of Illegal Drugs Depressants 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Cannabis Mild, non-additive drug with limited hallucinogenic properties Types of Illegal Drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Illegally used to induce states of euphoria, gaiety, detachment, relaxation, intoxication, and focused awareness Types of Illegal Drugs Cannabis 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Marijuana Hashish Cannabis plants Types of Illegal Drugs Cannabis 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Narcotics/analgesics Pain relievers: affect Central Nervous System Opiates, morphine, codeine Overdoses can cause death Street use of these drugs is intended to induce pleasure, Narcotics Types of Illegal Drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. euphoria, a lack of concern, and general feelings of well-being Types of Illegal Drugs Narcotics 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Opium, heroin, morphine, methadone, codeine, Dilaudid Types of Illegal Drugs Narcotics 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Hallucinogens Change normal thought and senses Marijuana: THC is the active ingredient Hash oil: 50% THC LSD: found in fungus that grows on grain (salem witch trials) flashbacks PCP: IV anesthetic, no pain, super strong ECSTASY: methamphetamine Synthetic Stimulant and hallucinogen Hallucinogens Street use is intended to produce mind expansion, hallucinations, and psychedelic experiences Types of Illegal Drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. LSD, PCP, Peyote Mescaline, psilocybin, MDA, belladonna, MDMA, mandrake Types of Illegal Drugs Hallucinogens 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Used illegally to enhance body mass, and increase strength Types of Illegal Drugs Anabolic Steroids 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Inhalants Highly volatile substances which generally act as central nervous system depressants Types of Illegal Drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Nitrous oxide, carbon tetrachloride, amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, chloroform, freon, acetate and toluene Types of Illegal Drugs Inhalants 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. Inhalants Gateway drugs substances that initiate young people into illicit drug use Types of Illegal Drugs 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.