NarcoticsBy Emily Fender

Narcotics are drugs that are naturally derived from opium or produce effects like opium that are highly addictive.

Examples include morphine, codeine, heroin, oxycodone, methadone, and cocaine.

What are Narcotics

Narcotics in the form of opium were first used and abused in China. Smoking and abusing it was a common practice that was seen as completely normal. This went on for hundreds of years until addiction was seen negatively. This did not slow down even after this was discovered.

Egyptian hieroglyphs show that opium poppy was used by Romans and Egyptians for pain relief.

The upper class in the age of Hippocrates smoked opium as mood altering substances.

The leaf of the poppy was chewed beginning in the 1700’s for relaxation.

Beginning in 1806, morphine began to be extracted from the poppy flower. It was used for surgeries and giving birth as analgesia.

History

In 1853, opiates were more widely abused due to the invention of the hypodermic needle.

In the 20th century, morphine was used extensively for medical pain relief. It was used more for medical purposes as time went on.

Synthetic forms of morphine began to be made for medicinal purposes by the middle 1900’s. Drugs with more tolerable side effects and better pain management continued to be developed.

Now, narcotics are especially associated with crime and severe addiction.

History continued

Narcotics can be taken orally as pills, inhaled by smoking, injected by a hypodermic needle, the leaves of the poppy plant can be chewed, and cocaine is snorted.

The effects are immediate attaching to the painkilling sites controlling the release of endorphins. The opiate receptors are in the brain, spinal chord, and intestines.

Administering of Narcotics

Narcotics are also called ◦ Brown sugar◦ Chasing the dragon◦ China White◦ Crank◦ Dope◦ Horse◦ Junk

Street Names

There are a variety of classifications for different types of narcotics.

Schedule I- Heroin Schedule II- Cocaine, hydrocodone, methadone,

hydromorphone, meperidine, oxycodone, Schedule III- <15 mg of Hydrocodone/ dosage, 90 mg

codeine/ dosage Schedule V- <200 mg codeine

Narcotic Classification

Alcohol hydroxyl and methyl groups and morphine sulfate are common in narcotics.

Chemical Breakdown

Prolonged use produces◦ Physical effects

Tolerance Dependence Increased risk of blood borne diseases Renal failure Risk of overdose Organ damage

◦ Mental effects Anxiety Psychological dependence

◦ Social effects Broken relationships Antisocial behavior

◦ Legal Consequences Jail time for possession Arrest on permanent record with future consequences

Harmful Effects of Narcotics

Nervous System◦ Short-term- Lethargy, drowsiness, hallucinations, suppression of pain◦ Long-term- Loss of endorphin production, loss of coordination, slow

movement, brain disorders, seizures Cardiovascular System

◦ Short-term- reduced heart rate◦ Long-term- collapsed veins, slower heart rate, infection of heart valves

Digestive System◦ Short-term- constipation, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite◦ Long-term- intestinal slowing, liver malfunction

Respiratory System◦ Short-term- difficulty breathing◦ Long-term- pneumonia

Effects

Some narcotics are used to relieve extreme pain that is not controlled by milder substances. They can not be used for longer than four months due to their highly addictive nature.

They are often taken when needed. Morphine is given near death to ease pain and discomfort. Narcotics such as heroin are not used for any medicinal

purpose at the present.

Medical Uses

Mixing alcohol with pain pills or heroin can stop breathing, increase risk of overdose, and cause coma and death.

Mixing alcohol with cocaine raises the heart rate extremely high and can cause a heart attack.

Mixing with Alcohol

Narcotics are extremely addictive, so they can tear apart families and society.

Crime is especially associated with narcotics and results in many people incarcerated per year. Loss of productivity affects society.

Narcotics are very dangerous to society and the health of society and individuals.

Effect on Society

Click on the correct answers based on the information.

Quiz

Which substance is a narcotic?

Question 1

Meth Opium

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Sorry, it was opium.

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Good Job! Correct Answer

Where was opium first used?

Question 2

China Rome

Egypt

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Awesome! Right answer.

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Sorry, the right answer is China.

True or false: Narcotics are extremely addictive.

Question 3

True False

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Correct

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Sorry, the answer was True.

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<http://www.justthinktwice.com/consequences/you_are_caught_with_drugs.html>.

Works Cited

"What are the effects of narcotics abuse?." Livestrong.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 July 2014. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/119889-effects-narcotics-abuse/>.

"End of Life: Helping with Comfort and Care." National Institute on Aging. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 13 July 2014. <http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/end-life-helping-comfort-and-care/providing-comfort-end-life>.

"Mixing Alcohol With Other Drugs." SCU Wellness Center. Santa Clara University, n.d. Web. 13 July 2014. <http://www.scu.edu/wellness/topics/alcohol/mixingalcohol.cfm>.

Works Cited continued