a) ALCOHOL
This is the oldest and commonly used drug of abuse. Alcohol is a psycho-active substance but society has allowed its use by the public either socially or for medication.
In chemical terminology, alcohols are a large group of organic compounds derived from hydrocarbons and containing one or more hydroxyl group. Ethanol (C2H5OH, ethyl alcohol) is one of these classes of compounds, and is the main psychoactive ingredient in alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages come in many forms as:
Those prepared by fermentation i.e. traditional beers, (busaa, mnazi, muratina etc), and bottled beer...
B) BHANG
The plant Cannabis sativa is the source of both Bhang, hashish and hashish oil. The leaves, flowers, and twigs of the plant are crushed to produce marijuana; its concentrated resin is hashish while an extract of hashish using vegetable oil gives hashish oil. The active ingredient in Bhang is delta -9 -tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
(THC) in Bhang has been found to have high affinity for the fatty structures hence in addition to the brain, Bhang has been found to affect the liver, the respiratory, reproductive, and blood cell systems.
Bhang use causes: a state of relaxation, accelerated heart beat rate, perceived slowing of time, and a sense of heightened hearing, taste, touch, and smell. These effects vary depending on the amount of drug consumed and the circumstances under which it is taken. Bhang and hashish are not thought to produce psychological dependence except when taken in large daily doses. The drug can be dangerous, however, especially when smoked before an activity requiring concentration like driving..
c) DEPRESSANTS
As the name suggests, these are substances that generally decrease the activity of the central nervous system. Thus, they cause depression, induce sleep progressing to stupor and finally coma. Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and other depressants cause disorientation, slurred speech, and other behaviors associated with drunkenness. The effects of an overdose of depressants range from shallow breathing, clammy skin, dilated pupils, and weak and rapid pulse to coma and death.
CNS depressants can be divided mainly into two groups, based on their chemistry and effects on the body systems: Barbiturates: such as phenobarbitone, which is used to treat anxiety, tension, and sleep disorders. This class is dangerous as small amounts of the drug can lead to death.
d) Inhalants
Although different in makeup, nearly all abused inhalants produce effects similar to anaesthetics, which act to slow down the body's functions. When inhaled via the nose or mouth into the lungs in sufficient concentrations, inhalants can cause intoxicating effects.
Intoxication can last only a few minutes or several hours if inhalants are taken repeatedly. Initially, users may feel slightly stimulated; with successive inhalations, they may feel less inhibited and less in control; finally, a user can lose consciousness.
Sniffing highly concentrated amounts of the chemicals in solvents or aerosol sprays can directly induce heart failure and death. This is especially common from the abuse of fluorocarbons and butane-type gases.
TOBACCO AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Tobacco comes in many forms, cigarette being the most common. Tobacco can be chewed or smoked in pipes. Snuff is powdered tobacco and can be smoked or sniffed. It has been recognized that 90% of cigarette smoke is made up of tiny poisonous gases or chemicals said to be 4000 in number.
The chemical substances can be classified into three broad categories:
- Pollutants
- Poisonous chemicals
- Cancer causing and promoting agents
Included in the poisonous gases, are:
Nicotine:
This is the principal pharmacological agent that is common to all forms of tobacco. It is a powerful addicting drug that sustains widespread tobacco use. Nicotine is an extremely toxic substance: just two or three drops of the pure active alkaloid will rapidly kill an adult.
