PH 381 Chapter 12

What is regarded as destructive behaviors in most cultures?

Chronic alcohol and other drug abuse or dependence

What affects individuals and the surrounding community?

Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs

Drug misuse definition

Inappropriate use of legal drugs intended to be medications (greater than prescribed)

T of F. Drug misuse can be intentional or unintentional.

True

Drug abuse definition

Any use of a drug in a way that is detrimental to health or well-being (causes problem for the user)

T or F. More deaths, illnesses, and disabilities can be attributed to substance abuse than any other preventable health condition.

TrueW

What do economic costs concerning the current drug problem in the US consist of?

Direct costs and indirect cost

Examples of direct costs:

- Health care
- Premature death
- Impaired productivity

Examples of indirect costs:

- Crime and law enforcement
- Courts
- Jails
- Social work

Those abusing drugs are threats to who?

- Themselves
- Their families
- Their communities

Drug definition

Any substance, natural or artificial, other than food, that by its chemical nature alters the structure or function in a living organism

Psychoactive drug definition

Drugs that change sensory perceptions, mood, and/or behavior

Drug (chemical) dependence definition

A state in which an individual uses a drug so frequently and consistently that it would be difficult for the person to get along without using the drug

Psychological dependence

Strong emotional/psychological desire to continue drug use

LSD definition

Lysergic acid diethylamide

PCP definition

Phencyclidine

MDMA definition

Ecstasy (molly)

Risk factors that contribute to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse:

Factors that increase the probability of drug use

Protective factors that contribute to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse:

Factors that lower the probability of drug use

Examples of risk factors that contribute to drug abuse

- Family abusing drugs
- Peers abusing drugs
- Genetics

Examples of protective factors that contribute to drug abuse

- Age limit laws
- Family or peers don't partake
- ID checking

Inherited risk factors related to alcohol

Research has shown genetic and biological markers may predispose someone to increased susceptibility to develop alcohol-related problems

T or F. Most research related to drug dependence and inherited risk is on alcoholism.

True

Environmental risk factors for drug abuse:

- Personal factors
- Home and family life
- School and peer groups
- Sociocultural environment

Examples of legal drugs

- Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs
- Prescription drugs

Examples of illegal (illicit) drugs:

- Marijuana
- Narcotics
- Cocaine and crack cocaine
- Hallucinogens
- Stimulants
- Depressants
- Club drugs and designer drugs
- Anabolic drugs
- Inhalants

T or F. Marijuana is state-dependent.

True

What kind of drugs do legal drugs consist of?

Drugs that can be closely regulated, likely regulated, and not regulated at all

T or F. Legal drugs can be bought and sold in the marketplace.

True

What is the number one problem in the US?

Alcohol

Problems related to alcohol:

- Binge drinking
- Underage drinking
- Problem drinkers
- Alcoholism
- Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Binge drinking definition

Males: Consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in a row
Females: Consuming four or more alcoholic drinks in a row

What is nicotine?

A psychoactive and addictive drug present in tobacco products

What is an emerging concern regarding nicotine?

Electronic cigarettes

What type of injury is the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products associated with?

Lung injury (EVALI)

Additional problems associated with nicotine

- Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
- Secondhand smoke

Synar Amendent

Prohibits the sale of tobacco to those under the age of 21

What is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the US?

Tobacco

What are community efforts related to nicotine?

Tax increases on cigarettes

Nonprescription over-the-counter drugs (OTCs)

Legal drugs other than alcohol and tobacco that can be purchased without a physician's prescription

Over-the-counter drugs are regulated by what federal organization?

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

T or F. Most OTCs only provide symptomatic relief, not a cure.

True

T or F. OTCs are subject to misuse and abuse.

True

Similarities between prescription drugs and nonprescription drugs:

- Regulated by the FDA
- Subject to misuse and abuse

How can prescription drugs be purchased?

Only with a physician's prescription because they have serious side effects for some people

T or F. Prescription drugs include a risk of dependence and unintentional overdose.

True

T or F. Prescription drugs can result in the development of drug-resistant strains of pathogens.

True

Controlled substances and illicit drugs regulated by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 cannot be...

- Manufactured
- Bought
- Sold
- Used within the confines of the law

Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970:

- High potential for abuse
- No accepted medical issues

Schedule II-V of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970:

- Schedule based on potential for risk of dependence or abuse
- Have medical uses

What organization is responsible for enforcing the Controlled Substance Act of 1970?

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

Marijuana

- Products derived from hemp plant
- Most commonly used psychotropic drug in the US
- Polydrug use
- Acute effects
- Chronic effects

Marijuana polydrug use:

Often used in conjuction with other drugs

Acute effects of marijuana:

- Reduced concentration
- Slowed reaction time
- Impaired short-term memory
- Impaired judgement

Chronic effects of marijuana:

- Damage to the respiratory system (if smoked)
- Amotivational syndrome

Synthetic marijuana

- Emerging cause for concern
- Chemically produced with properties similar to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
- Poses serious threat to communities
- States have banned synthetic marijuana

How does synthetic marijuana pose a serious threat to communities?

- Potential for abuse and other adverse health effects
- Long-term effects unknown

T or F. In 2011, five chemicals used to produce synthetic marijuana were added to Schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 (CSA).

True

Where do opium and its derivaties, morphine, and heroin come from?

An oriental poppy plant not grown in the US

Why do narcotics have a high potential for abuse?

They numb the senses and reduce pain

What causes narcotic drug trafficking problems?

Opium poppies do not grow in the US

T or F. Heroin addiction leads to significant community health problems.

True

What is cocaine?

Psychoactive ingredient in the leaves of the coca plant

Purified forms of cocaine and crack cocaine:

- White powder: salt
- Crack: dried paste

T or F. Cocaine is a powerful and addictive euphoriant/stimulant.

True

T or F. In 2018, annual prevalence of cocaine use among high school seniors was at the lowest reported level of 2.0%.

True

Examples of hallucinogens:

- LSD
- Mescaline
- Peyote
- Mushrooms

What do hallucinogens produce?

- Illusions
- Hallucinations
- Changes in perceptions

What is the mixing of the senses called related to hallucinogens?

Synthesia

T or F. Hallucinogens can be both naturally derived and synthetic.

True

Stimulant definition

Drugs that increase the activity of the central nervous system

Are amphetamines considered stimulants?

Yes

Where is methamphetamine often made?

Clandestine labs

Examples of depressants

- Alcohol
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines

Characteristics associated with depressants:

- Slow down the CNS
- May lower anxiety and inhibitors
- Tolerance develops
- Strong physical dependence

Club drug definition

Illicit drugs, primarily synthetic, most commonly encountered at nightclubs, bars, and parties

Designer drug definition

Synthesized by amateur chemists in secret labs

What is the most popular club drug?

MDMA (ecstasy; molly)

What is rohypnol?

Date rape drug

T or F. Designer drugs constantly change design to stay ahead of law enforcement.

True

Examples of anabolic drugs:

- Anabolic/androgenic steroids
- Testosterone
- Human growth hormone

Characteristics of anabolic drugs

- Protein-building drugs
- Have some legitimate medical uses
- Sometimes abused by athletes and body builders
- Acute and chronic side effects

What are inhalants?

Collection of psychoactive breathable chemicals

Examples of inhalants:

- Paint solvents
- Motor fuels
- Cleaners
- Glues
- Aerosol sprays

Characteristics of inhalants:

- Easily availability
- Low cost
- Acute and chronic effects

Prevention and control of drug abuse requires knowledge of...

- Causes of drug-taking behavior
- Sources of illicit drugs
- Drug laws
- Treatment programs

What constitutes the prevention and control of drug abuse?

Community organizing skills, persistence, and the cooperation of various individuals and agencies

Primary prevention of drug abuse

Aimed at those who have never used drugs

Secondary prevention of drug abuse

Aimed at those who have used, but are not chronic abusers

Tertiary prevention of drug abuse

Aimed at drug abuse treatment and aftercare, including relapse prevention

Elements of prevention

- Education
- Treatment
- Public policy
- Law enforcement
- Education and treatment goals
- Public policy and law enforcement goals

What do education and treatment goals of prevention work to reduce?

Demand for drugs

What do public policy and law enforcement laws work to reduce?

Supply and availability of drugs

Governmental drug prevention and control agencies and programs...

- Aim to reduce either the supply or demand for drugs
- Include a multitude of federal, state, and local agencies

T or F. In 2020, the National Drug Control Strategy budget was the largest amount ever requested at $34.6 billion.

True

Examples of federal agencies and programs of drug control/prevention:

- Office of National Drug Control Policy
- Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- Department of Justice
- Department of Homeland Security

Programs under the DHHS:

- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse

Program under the Department of Justice:

- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

Characteristics of state agencies and programs:

- State departments of health, education, mental health, justice, and law enforcement all address drug abuse prevention and control issues
- Some states have passed laws that conflict with federal laws

Characteristics of local agencies and programs:

- Local communities have individuals, task forces, or agencies to prioritize problems and decide approaches for solving them