Dangerousness of Drugs

Question: Write a summary, outlining the perception of the use of various type of illegal drugs. E.g. heroin, cannabis, cocaine. Choose one from these drugs, and research the possible benefits and the health risks associated with the short and long term consumption. Compare the perceived benefit and hazards associated with the use of the drug to the actual benefits and hazards associated with the use of the drug. Answer: Outline the use of illegal drugs This report has been used for outlining the use of the illegal drugs and the impact of the same on health of the people. Attitude of the people towards the consumption of drugs which is considered to be illegal drugs has to be analysed. The policy makers ensure to highlight the risks associated with the consumption of drugs which can affect the health of the people. Through the policy, the public are made aware of the drug associated knowledge which is related to creating awareness about the drug users. An attempt is made to create awareness about the drug related information or knowledge which aims at reducing inaccuracy details that can influence the general public. The awareness of the illegal drugs like heroin, cocaine, and cannabis has been discussed in this report (Parrott, 2007). Long and short term use of heroin usage Long term and short term benefits of heroin usage has been analysed in this report. Continuous usage of the illegal drugs affects the physiology of human brain and physical structure, which creates long term imbalance in human body. Long term usage, affects the functioning of the brain, which impacts the decision making ability of human. Consumption of the illegal drugs helps the human in increasing the tolerance or the physical dependency. The level of the tolerance level is assumed to have to similar effects of the human being. However, the withdrawal symptoms have a stronger impact on the users, which affects the physical stability of human beings. Disadvantage of the system includes muscle pain, bone pain, restlessness, cold flashes, and others. Such factors or symptoms can impact the normal life of the individual. This is one of the reasons, the long term health impact on humans has to be analysed. The withdrawal symptoms are at the peak for 24-48 hours (Kmietowicz, 2009). Short term impact exists with the impact on the brain. Abusers usually enjoy pleasurable sensation which remains for a shorter period of time. The impact on the user depends upon the quantity undertaken by the users. In some cases, the users might feel warm flush arises from the skins and dry mouth. The mental function is usually affected by the usage of the illegal drugs. In case of excessive usage, the user might face life threat, which is quite serious (Best, 2003). Comparison of the perceived and actual benefits and hazards associated with the drugs The perceived benefits related to the usage of heroine raises serious concern amongst the users. Increase anxiety and relaxed mental status are some of the perceptions that are assumed by the users. However, the actual impact of the use of the illegal drugs has serious impact on the user. This difference has to be analysed and has to be shared in the right manner. Such a factor will help in analysing the health related factor and challenges that can affect the health of the users. It affects the mental ability of the users and restricts the power to think and introduce action plan (Cole et al., 2010). References Best D., Gross S., Vingoe L., Witton J., Strang J. Dangerousness of drugs. A guide to the risks and harms associated with substance misuse. London: Department of Health; 2003 Cole C., Jones L., McVeigh J., Kicman A., Syed Q., Bellis M. A. Adulterants in illicit drugs: a review of empirical evidence. Drug Testing and Analysis 2010; 3: 89-96 Kmietowicz Z (2009). "Home secretary accused of bullying drugs adviser over comments about ecstasy".BMJ338: b612.doi:10.1136/bmj.b612.PMID19218327 Parrott A. C. Drug-related harm: a complex and difficult concept to scale. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental 2007; 22: 423-5. Nutt, D.; King, L. A.; Saulsbury, W.;Blakemore, C.(2007). "Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse".The Lancet369(9566)