Drugs: Harm and Harm Reduction

Vocabulary flashcards on the topic of drugs, their effects, and harm reduction strategies.

Illicit Drugs

Substances whose production, sale, or use is prohibited by law.

Cannabinoids

Compounds found in cannabis that influence the body’s endocannabinoid system.

Harm Reduction

Approach to drug use that aims to reduce the negative consequences associated with drug use rather than insisting on abstinence.

Psychoactive Pharmaceuticals

Medications that affect mental processes and can lead to changes in mood, perception, or behavior.

Opioids

Class of drugs used primarily for pain relief; highly addictive and can lead to misuse.

Problematic Use

Using drugs beyond their therapeutic intentions for the purpose of experiencing effects such as euphoria.

Needle Distribution Programs

Programs that provide sterile needles to drug users to prevent the spread of diseases.

Legalization of Cannabis

The process by which cannabis is removed from the list of controlled substances, allowing its legal regulation.

Methadone Maintenance Therapy

A treatment for opioid addiction using methadone to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Overdose Prevention

Strategies implemented to reduce the risk of overdose from drug use, including the use of naloxone.

Cannabis Act

Canadian legislation that legalized the use of cannabis for recreational use on October 17, 2018.

Blood-borne Diseases

Diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C that can be transmitted through blood.