Drugs

Definition
A drug is any substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when
consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional
support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalation, injection, smoking, ingestion, absorption via a
patch on the skin, or dissolution under the tongue.
In pharmacology, a drug is a chemical substance, typically of known structure, which, when
administered to a living organism, produces a biological effect. Traditionally drugs were obtained
through extraction from medicinal plants, but more recently also by organic synthesis.

Clasification and the effect on the body

Drugs can be categorised by the way in which they affect our bodies:

 depressants — slow down the function of the central nervous system

 hallucinogens — affect your senses and change the way you see, hear, taste, smell or feel
things
 stimulants — speed up the function of the central nervous system
Some drugs affect the body in many ways and can fall into more than one category. For example,
cannabis appears in all 3 categories.

To legalize or prohibit drugs ?

Much depends on the specific country, mentality, time and specific drug. Different examples from
different countries show that the same method (legalization or complete prohibition) can show
itself in the exact opposite.
For example, in Switzerland at the end of the 80s, the Zurich government was tired of fighting drug
addicts who were constantly gathering in the Platzspitz park and decided to conduct an
experiment: the use of any drugs was allowed within the park. The police had no right to detain
people inside the park. Soon drug addicts and drug dealers from all over the country and even from
Europe began to gather in this park. Sometimes in the park there were up to 3,000 drug addicts at a
time. After several years, the government cleared the park.
The Dutch example shows the exact opposite result. The Dutch government has found a non-
standard solution to the drug problem: instead of a ban, it divided them into strong (heroin,
amphetamine) and weak (marijuana). Cannabis use is permitted in "coffee shops", and strong drugs
are formally prohibited. A drug addict is considered not a criminal, but a patient; he can receive
free methadone and syringes from the state. At the same time, the state provides free
rehabilitation programs. Oddly enough, but the percentage of drug addicts in the Netherlands is
one of the lowest in Europe.
Facts About Drugs
 More than 100,000 babies are born addicted to cocaine each year in the U.S., due to their
mothers' use of the drug during pregnancy.
 Traces of nicotine and cocaine were found in Egyptian mummies.
 Colombia's drug trade is worth US$10 billion. That's one-quarter as much as the country's
legal exports.
 31% of rock star deaths are related to drugs or alcohol.
 In the Netherlands, there are dozens of public facilities where you can bring recreational
drugs including marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy to test if they are safe.
 More than 100,000 babies are born addicted to cocaine each year in the U.S., due to their
mothers' use of the drug during pregnancy.