History of drugs

“The history of drugs is shrouded in the beginnings of the human race.Alchool

was made,drunk and used to excess as farback as memory and recors
go.Tabbacco,hemp,apium poppy and other plants containing drugs have been chewed and
smoked almost as long as alcohol, and coffee has been served in the Middle East
throughout that area’s history.(The book “Abrief of history)
Years ago the drugs were used for reproduction.The driving forces behind this
foraging behavior were the need to defend themselves against the environment and the
needto reproduce their species. (The book “Abrief of history)
Starting about 3000 BC the book looks at most of the common drugs have been
used for medical,religious and recreational purposes.(www.wikipedia/History of drugs_
The book of Huston Smith looks us that the entheogenic plants and chemicals
various cultures and individuales have used to expand spiritual awareness.
A collection of essays exploring the complex history of drugs and narcotics
throught history from ancient Greece to the present day.
The books shows how substances were originally sought as healing agents(The
Book of Huston Smith)
Richard Rudgley affirmed that how our attitudes toward these substance have
been shaped by cultural values and how our own use of intoxications like
alcohol,coffee,tea and tobacco is an integral part of the age-old worldwide quest for
attered states.(Research of Richard Rudgley)

Definition of drugs
“Drugs are chemical compounds that modify the way the body and mind
work.Most people think that these biological activities should help or heal sick people or
animals.
There is,however,no known drug that is no harmful or even poisonous at high
doses,and much of the scientific work on drugs has attempted to widen the gap between
effective and toxic doses.”(The book A brief of History)
 Types of drugs
In this days are many types of drugs:natural drugs,ancient drugs,designer drugs,easy
drugs and hard drugs.
I choose to present you two types of drugs:easy drugs and hard drugs.

Cannabis
“It is affirmed that cannabis sativa is one of humanity’s oldest cultived plants.Although is
known for it’s use in textiles and as an intoxicant,it may well have been originally planted
as a food stuff.It is related to both the mettle and the hop,and grows readily grew in the
temperature area that extends from the Caucasus Mountain and Caspin Sea to Eastern
Asia.The oldest evidence of it’s existence in 6000 years old:pieces of coarse hempen
cloth found at some of the earlist sites of human habitation.Other early evidence includes
3000-4000 years old specimes found in Egypt dating to the eighth century BC.
Origines and species-the exact place of origin of the first plants remains
uproven.There main theories exist,attributing it’s emergence to China,Central Asia and
South Asia.All have their proponets and all their strong possibilities China has a plausible
claim to be the site of both the earlist written records of the plant whether as fibre or food
and.\,somewhat later as a medicine or an intoxicant.The claim of Central Asia lies
undoubredly in it’s geographical Location:ideal for the known spread of the plant,
whether to China, India or Europe. Then who initiated the spread were probably the
Aryans, whose invasions touched Indiaand Persia(today’s Yran).South Asia, primarily
the valleys of northern India and Nepal, has also been cited.
Canabis sativa is a monotypic species.In 1785 the French biologist Jean Baptiste de
Lamarck posited and named a second species fgound in a the East Indies: Cannabis
Indica. A third, Cannabis ruderalis was named in the 1924 by the Russian botanist
D.E.Janidchevsky, In 1930 a group of Russian students claimed that were as many as
rwelvw varieties.This multiplicity was rejected.
Cannabis sativa is very tall,loosly,branched are remotely positioned from other.
Cannabis indica is a low-growing and densely branched,with more compact
branches and a tendency to be more conical.
Cannabis ruderalis is small and only slightly branched.
 Cannabis indica possesses the highest”canabilic”content and is thus the choice of
those who wish to use it as an intocicanting drug”( The book Cannababis by Green
Jonathan)

“In the United States, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does
acknowledge that "there has been considerable interest in its use for the treatment of a
number of conditions, including glaucoma, AIDS wasting, neuropathic pain, treatment of
spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy-induced nausea," the
agency has not approved "medical marijuana". There are currently 2 oral forms of
cannabis (cannabinoids) available by prescription in the United States for nausea and
vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy: dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone
(Cesamet). Dronabinol is also approved for the treatment of anorexia associated with
AIDS. The FDA does facilitate scientific investigations into the medical uses of
cannabinoids.

In a collection of writings on medical marijuana by 45 researchers, a literature review on

the medicinal uses of Cannabis and cannabinoids concluded that established uses include
easing of nausea and vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss; "well-confirmed effect" was
found in the treatment of spasticity, painful conditions (i.e. neurogenic pain), movement
disorders, asthma, and glaucoma. Reported but "less-confirmed" effects included
treatment of allergies, inflammation, infection, epilepsy, depression, bipolar disorders,
anxiety disorder, dependency and withdrawal. Basic level research was being carried out
at the time on autoimmune disease, cancer, neuroprotection, fever, disorders of blood
pressure.

Clinical trials conducted by the American Marijuana Policy Project, have shown the
efficacy of cannabis as a treatment for cancer and AIDS patients, who often suffer from
clinical depression, and from nausea and resulting weight loss due to chemotherapy and
other aggressive treatments. A synthetic version of the cannabinoid THC named
dronabinol has been shown to relieve symptoms of anorexia and reduce agitation in
elderly Alzheimer's patients.[ Dronabinol has been approved for use with anorexia in
patients with HIV/AIDS and chemotherapy-related nausea. This drug, while
demonstrating the effectiveness of Cannabis at combating several disorders, is more
expensive and less available than "pot" and has not been shown to be effective or safe.

Glaucoma, a condition of increased pressure within the eyeball causing gradual loss of
sight, can be treated with medical marijuana to decrease this intraocular pressure. There
has been debate for 25 years on the subject. Some data exist, showing a reduction of IOP
in glaucoma patients who smoke cannabis,[ but the effects are short-lived, and the
frequency of doses needed to sustain a decreased IOP can cause systemic toxicity. There
is also some concern over its use since it can also decrease blood flow to the optic nerve.
Marijuana lowers IOP by acting on a cannabinoid receptor on the ciliary body called the
CB receptor. Although Cannabis is not a good therapeutic choice for glaucoma patients,
it may lead researchers to more effective, safer treatments. A promising study shows that
agents targeted to ocular CB receptors can reduce IOP in glaucoma patients who have
failed other therapies.

Medical cannabis is also used for analgesia, or pain relief. It is also reported to be
beneficial for treating certain neurological illnesses such as epilepsy, and bipolar
disorder.[Case reports have found that Cannabis can relieve tics in people with obsessive
compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome. Patients treated with tetrahydrocannabinol,
the main psychoactive chemical found in Cannabis, reported a significant decrease in
both motor and vocal tics, some of 50% or more. Some decrease in obsessive-compulsive
behavior was also found. A recent study has also concluded that cannabinoids found in
Cannabis might have the ability to prevent Alzheimer's disease.THC has been shown to
reduce arterial blockages.]

Another potential use for medical cannabis is movement disorders. Cannabis is

frequently reported to reduce the muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis; this
has been acknowledged by the Institute of Medicine, but it noted that these abundant
anecdotal reports are not well-supported by clinical data. Evidence from animal studies
suggests that there is a possible role for cannabinoids in the treatment of certain types of
epileptic seizures.] A synthetic version of the major active compound in Cannabis, THC,
is available in capsule form as the prescription drug dronabinol (Marinol) in many
countries. The prescription drug Sativex, an extract of cannabis administered as a
sublingual spray, has been approved in Canada for the treatment of multiple
sclerosis.”((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis/Medical Use)

Religious use

Main article: Spiritual use of cannabis

Cannabis is first referred to in Hindu Vedas between 2000 and 1400 BCE, in the
Atharvaveda. By the tenth century CE, it was being referred to in India as "food of the
gods". Cannabis use eventually became a ritual part of the Hindu festival of Holi. In
Buddhism, cannabis has been used in meditation and regarded as a holy plant since 500
BCE. Shamanic use of Cannabis in China has been dated to at least 1000 BCE.] In
ancient Germanic culture, Cannabis was associated with the Norse love goddess, Freya.
[110][111]
An anointing oil mentioned in Exodus is, by some translators, said to contain
Cannabis.[112] Sufis have used Cannabis in a spiritual context since the thirteenth century
CE. Like the Rastafari, some modern Gnostic Christian sects have asserted that Cannabis
is the Tree of Life.[116][117] Other organized religions founded in the 20th century that treat
Cannabis as a sacrament are the THC Ministry,[118] the Way of Infinite Harmony,
Cantheism, the Cannabis Assembly[120] and the Church of Cognizance.

Heroine

Heroin or diacetylmorphine , also known as diamorphine , is a semi-synthetic opioid

drug synthesized from morphine, a derivative of the opium poppy. It is the 3,6-diacetyl
ester of morphine. The white crystalline form is commonly the hydrochloride salt
diacetylmorphine hydrochloride, though often adulterated thus dulling the sheen and
consistency from that to a matte white powder, which however heroin freebase typically
is.
As with other opioids, heroin is used as both a pain-killer and a recreational drug and has
an extremely high potential for abuse. Frequent and regular administration is associated
with tolerance, moderate physical dependence, and severe psychological dependence
which develops into addiction.

Internationally, heroin is controlled under Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention

on Narcotic Drugs.[2] It is illegal to manufacture, possess, or sell diacetylmorphine
without a licence in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Iran, India, the Netherlands, the
United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Swaziland.

Under the name diamorphine, it is a legally prescribed controlled drug in the United
Kingdom. It is available for prescription to long-term addicts in the Netherlands, the
United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark.[3][4] The German drug company
Bayer named its new over the counter drug "Heroin" in 1895.[5] The name was derived

from the Ge rman

word "heroisch" (heroic), due to its perceived "heroic" effects upon a user.[5] However, it
was chiefly developed as a morphine substitute for the coughs that did not have its
addictive side-effects. Morphine at the time was a popular, but addicting recreational
drug so Bayer wanted to find a similar, but non-addicting substitute.[6] However, contrary
to Bayer's advertising as a "non-addictive morphine substitute," Heroin would soon have
one of the highest rates of dependence amongst its users.

Medical use
Under the name diamorphine, heroin is prescribed as a strong analgesic in the United
Kingdom, where it is given via subcutaneous, intramuscular, intrathecal or intravenous
route. Its use includes treatment for acute pain, such as in severe physical trauma,
myocardial infarction, post-surgical pain, and chronic pain, including end-stage cancer
and other terminal illnesses. In other countries it is more common to use morphine or
other strong opioids in these situations.

In 2005, there was a shortage of diamorphine in the UK, due to a problem at the main UK
manufacturers.[17] Due to this, many hospitals changed to using morphine instead of
diamorphine. Although there is no longer a problem with its manufacture, many hospitals
have continued to use morphine.

Diamorphine continues to be widely used in palliative care in the United Kingdom, where
it is commonly given by the subcutaneous route, often via a syringe driver, if patients
could not easily swallow oral morphine solution. The advantage of diamorphine over
morphine is that diamorphine is more soluble and smaller volumes of diamorphine are
needed for the same analgesic effect. Both of these factors are advantageous if giving
high doses of opioids via the subcutaneous route, which is often necessary in palliative
care.

The medical use of diamorphine (in common with other strong opioids such as morphine,
fentanyl and oxycodone) is controlled in the United Kingdom by the Misuse of Drugs Act
1971. In the UK, it is a class A controlled drug. Registers of its use are required to be
kept in hospitals.

Heroin is also used as a maintenance drug in the treatment of heroin addicts. Though this
is somewhat controversial among proponents of a zero tolerance drug policy it has
proven superior to methadone in improving the social and health situation of addicts. See
the section Heroin prescription for addicts. Heroin has been proven to act as a fever
reduce
 Addiction

How difficult is for the user to quit,the percentage of people who wvwntually become
dependent,the rating users give their own needed for the substance and the degree to
whitch the substance will be used in the face of evidence that it causes harm.(A
declaration of the Church Orthodox)

“Withdrawal:Presence and severity of characteristic withdrawal symptoms

Tolerance:How much of the substance is needed to satisfy increasing cravings for

it and the level of stable need that is eventually reached.

Reinforcement:Ameasure of the substance’s ability,in human and s testes,to get

users to take it again and again,and in preference to other substances”(by Jack E.
Hernningfield

Effects

The effect can be of long,short time,medicals or psychological:

Cannabis induces a state of intoxicated relaxation, euphoria and dreaminess.

”It is quick acting. When smoked, the first effects are usually felt within seconds. The
peak follows within minutes and then declines sharply after about forty five minutes, with
a ninety minute tail-off.

You feel a general sense of well being and relaxation, giggliness and euphoria. You may
also experience introspective dreaminess, increased appreciation of music, sleepiness and
time distortion. The effects can be subtle. First time users often detect little or no effect.

Physically, bloodshot eyes and a dry mouth are common symptoms, as well as a slight
increase in heartbeat and impaired short term memory.
Cannabis increases heart rate but decreases blood pressure, like a car changing down a
gear Regular users gain tolerance to this effect.

Cannabis is also famous for stimulating the appetite (especially, it would seem, for Wheat
Crunchies and chocolate flavored milk). These short bursts of extreme hunger are known
universally as the 'munchies'.

In the brain

Cannabis has two powerful active ingredients - THC and CBD (cannabidiol). Both
substances are classed as cannabinoids - they produce psychoactive effects by binding
with special receptors which are extraordinarily abundant all over the brain and body.
Your brain makes its own cannabinoid - anandamide - which is thought to be involved in
pain sensations, memory regulation and the immune system. (3)

The ratio of these two substances determine the character and strength of the effect. Like
fine wines, different strains of cannabis can have their own flavour and complexity, plus
their own distinct high.

A note on eating cannabis

If you take it orally, you could be in for quite a ride. The liver metabolizes THC into 11-
OH-*9-THC, a compound three times more psychoactive. Oral cannabis is a powerful,
almost psychedelic experience, very uncomfortable if you're not expecting it. The effects
are slower to come on (1 to 2 hours) and last considerably longer (around 4 hours)

After effects

Cannabis can leave you feeling a little groggy and forgetful but little else. Depending on
how much you've smoked and its character and strength, these effects can linger for hours
or days.

1. Harder S, Rietbrock S (1997) Concentration-effect relationship of delta-9-

tetrahydrocannabiol and prediction of psychotropic effects after smoking
marijuana. “(http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/cannabis/effects.htm)

Toxicity

THC has an extremely low toxicity and the amount that can enter the body through the
consumption of cannabis plants poses no threat of death. In lab animal tests, scientists
have had much difficulty administering a dosage of THC that is high enough to be lethal.
It also appears that humans cannot die from ingesting too much THC, unless it were
introduced into the body intravenously (See also: Intravenous Marijuana Syndrome).
[
Indeed, a 1988 ruling from the United States Department of Justice concluded that "In
practical terms, marijuana cannot induce a lethal response as a result of drug-related
toxicity.
According to the Merck Index, the LD50 of THC (the dose which causes the death of 50%
of individuals) is 1270 mg/kg for male rats and 730 mg/kg for female rats from oral
assumption in sesame oil, and 42 mg/kg for rats from inhalation.

The ratio of cannabis material required to produce a fatal overdose to the amount required
to saturate cannabinoid receptors and cause intoxication is 40,000:1; consumption of such
a large dose is virtually impossible. There had been no reported deaths or permanent
injuries sustained as a result of a marijuana overdose.[16][17][18][19][20] However in 2009 it was
reported in the United Kingdom that a man died from the acute affects of cannabis
"possibly experiencing one of the toxic effects of cannabis - a fast heart rate and
hyperventilating - [which] can lead to heart failure". The coroner recorded a verdict of
"death due to misuse of drugs".[21] It is not known if the man had any underlying medical
condition. It is generally considered impossible to overdose on marijuana, as the user
would certainly either fall asleep or otherwise become incapacitated from the effects of
the drug before being able to consume enough THC to be mortally toxic. According to a
2006 United Kingdom government report, using cannabis is much less dangerous than
tobacco, prescription drugs, and alcohol in social harms, physical harm, and addiction.[22]
It was found in 2007 that while tobacco and cannabis smoke are quite similar, cannabis
smoke contained higher amounts of ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and nitrogen oxides,
but lower levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).[23] This study
found that directly inhaled cannabis smoke contained 20 times as much ammonia and 5
times as much hydrogen cyanide as tobacco smoke and compared the properties of both
mainstream and sidestream (smoke emitted from a smouldering 'joint' or 'cone') smoke.[23]
Sidestream cannabis smoke was found to contain higher concentrations of selected
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) than sidestream tobacco smoke.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_cannabis/Effects)

“Effects of heroin
Data from The Lancet shows heroin to be the most addictive and most harmful of 20
drugs.

Central nervous system:

• Drowsiness
• Disorientation
• Delirium

Neurological:

• Analgesia
• Tolerance
• Addiction (Physical Dependence)
Main long-term effects of usage.[

Psychological:

• Addiction (Psychological Dependence)

• Anxiolysis
• Confusion
• Euphoria
• Somnolence
Main short-term effects of heroin usage

Cardiovascular & Respiratory:

• Bradycardia
• Hypotension
• Hypoventilation
• Shallow breathing
• Respiratory depression

Gastrointestinal:

• Nausea
• Vomiting (protracted)
• Constipation
• Dyspepsia

Musculoskeletal:
 • Analgesia
• Ataxia
• Muscle spasticity

Skin:

• Itching
• Flushing/Rash”( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin/Effects)

Cannabis

Fight against drugs

Nowadays exist many organization which fight against drugs,one of them is

PRIDE. Parent's Resource Institute for Drug Education mission is to help in the healthy
drug- free development of the families and youth. PRIDE provides leadership training to
students, family life-skills, education resources, and public programs designed to reduce
the illegal use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Every year since 1983, junior high and high school students go to camps called
Positive Action and Positive Attitude. These camps try to help students feel better about
decision-making skills, and help develop leadership ability. The students that attend
these camps must be drug free and committed to school and community activities to
participate in these camps.

BIOGRAPHY
Book:Abrief of history
The book Cannababis by Green Jonathan
The Book of Huston Smith
Church Orthodox
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis/Medical Use
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin/Effects
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_cannabis/Effects
http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/cannabis/effects.htm
Research by Richard Rudgley
www.wikipedia.com/History of drugs