Drug Analysis History and Law

1. What is the most abused substance over the millennia?

Drugs

What is a drug?

A substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function.

What are two of the historical themes of drug use?

• A basic need of human beings to cope with their environment and existence.

• Government and business involvement in selling and taxing drugs

What are three reasons people use drugs?

• Alter states of consciousness 

• Reduce pain

• Medicate a mental illness

Name six methods used to introduce drugs into the body

• Drink

• Absorb 

• Inhale

• Inject

• Snort

• Smoke

Around 1855, what invention helped to spur an increase in the abuse of opiates?

The reusable hypodermic needle

1. Who isolated cocaine from the coca plant, and in what year? 

• Albert Neiman isolated the alkaloid cocaine from the coca leaf in 1859

In what year was the Controlled Substances Act established?

1970

What are five bases for classifying drugs as schedule I, II, etc...

• Abuse potential

• Value as a medication

• History of use and abuse

• Risk to public health

• Political consideration

1. True or False? Drugs in Schedule I have no legitimate medical use and a high abuse potential.

• True