Monday, 27 October 2014

What is Cocaine

Cocaine

Cocaine(benezoylmehtylecgonine) is a chemical obtained from leaves of coca plants. It is stimulant and inhibitor of certain structures in human body. It can cause anaesthesia in low doses and may lead to heart attack at high doses.



Chemistry

Cocaine(benezoylmehtylecgonine)

IUPAC Name: 

methyl (1R,2R,3S,5S)-3- (benzoyloxy)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1] octane-2-carboxylate

Formula: C17H21NO4










Appearance: white powder

Cocaine molecules contains both hydrophobic and hydrophilic packets, which enables it to breakdown barriers between hydrophobic and hydrophilic structures.

History


Coca, the source of cocaine, is one of the oldest drugs in the world.  Around three thousand years ago, Incas started to chew coca leaves to live in the thin air of mountains.

Cocaine is first isolated from coca leaves in 1859. The drug then spread widely and rapidly because people did not realise the harmfulness of it. (Coca leave was one of the ingredients coca-cola, which was added in1886)

At the beginning of 20th century, people start to understand the danger of the drug. Coca was removed from coca-cola in 1930 due to public pressure. USA government banned cocaine in 1922 as well. 

However, the use of the drug was not fully controlled. Even up to 1970s cocaine was widely used by entertainers and businesspeople to keep them energetic.

Cocaine is still one of the most trafficked drugs in the world now.

References:











  1. Drug Frenzy: China’s new consumer boom Part 1,2

    Drugs are pouring out of Burma into a booming China. With cash to spend and a rocketing drug culture, it's a social and legal time bomb.Heroin and other dangerous drug traffic is pouring out from brume to china. it is very easy and the is no way of stoping it accord. because of the easy rout of brume to china and one is guarding it make it easy to penetrate though but the situation have change no the china have a more straight rule which have a police to just to hunt down drug. China is now a major international supplier of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of any kind of drug it could be any thing "The quickest way to make a fortune is to deal drugs - to sell drugs here", Professor Wu Jiang tell usaddicts has grown from 70,000 in 1990 to nearly 2 million a year ago. The number of regular drug users may be as high as 12 million.  If it continues to grow exponentially, it's a social, health and legal time bomb for the Chinese authorities.


    The review for the movie 

    The movie was start by a guy telling us what is happen to drug go though china i was shock from hearing it is unbelievable that china had a that high people of using drug and a shock the anyone could carry drug and bring it to china 

Why there is PCP in DC

PCP is a short form for Phencyclidine also know as the angle dust which is a huge issue in Washington DC. That is a increase in Washington DC accord to rehab.com there is increase from 12.000 to 13500 in a year. Pcp could sell anywhere, everywhere, which could be in plain site. The people who produce  Pcp could always be danger it could go wrong anytime or always. PcP is impossible to stop that is because it could travel by anything from mail to human body , but the best that the us  Dea which fully stretch the supply of PcP which they need. We should not use Pcp at all cost. we should be carful from it. if you accidentally inhale or drake it you need to find a doctor as fast as possible. this drug could get addict easily




Side Effects of using of PCP

-Stuttering
-Impaired memory
-Inability to think clearly
-Inability to speak
-Rapid up and down eye movements
-Drooling
-Loss of Balance-Suicidal thoughts/tendencies
-Severe paranoia and anxiety
-Stripping off clothes, running naked in public
-Seizures-Coma-Death


The review of the movie about PCP in DC 

The movie have us deep in view of the consequence of using  Pcp showing us a man which with a PcP. As we could see them in strange situation after that we change the view to how police officer deal with them as we could know how dangerous it is. which tell us why we should no use it and we should be careful from it

Symptoms of methamphetamine addiction

Sores

Methamphetamine addicts sometimes develop sores on their face or body when they have been picking at their skin, thinking there are bugs under their skin, which is the hallucination caused by methamphetamine.







"Meth Mouth"



Because methamphetamine is a caustic chemical and it dries up the flow of saliva, the teeth of methamphetamine addicts may get rotten and brown. After a long period of time, they may lose their teeth.









Others symptoms: 

  • High Fever
  • Chest pain
  • Rapid or laboured breathing
  • Sudden increase in pulse or blood pressure
  • Profuse sweating
  • Convulsions
  • Tremors
  • Dangerous rise in body temperature
  • Cardiovascular collapse

References:

Review on Molly Madness

Molly which is also called MDMA - A very common party drug.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyXOzGv3mII

This documentary is about Molly abuse, catching drug dealers and cutting off supplies of Molly. Most of the Molly users are teen and it is very common in clubs and party in Atlanta, the documentary interviewed of one the user and said that they take Molly because of the "cool" effect that cause to them. There are university that are next to clubs in Atlanta which causes many teen to abuse Molly. Because of this, the Atlanta police started to cut off off the suppliers by sending out undercover cops to hunt them down.

I've watched this documentary recently. I'm shock that so many teen are abusing it in clubs. The part that I'm most engaged to is when a man suffered in the street after taking in Molly. I would watch it again, because it will remind me to beware of Molly and how dangerous is it.

What is Molly?

Molly is also known as MDMA. It is a recreational drug and is often considered the drug of choice in clubs, parties. There are usually loud music, lights, lasers in clubs or parties, these environment are does sensory effect on a person's body after taking MDMA as it is often highly synergistic with the drug. Molly users enjoys the feeling that the drug gives, they are also used as party fuel as it has simulator effects. Molly will start to affect the user within 45 mins after taking it and will last for at least 6 hours.

There are a few psychoactive effects after taking Molly, such as:
- Euphoria
- Entactogenic effects
- Sense of inner peace
- Mild Hallucination
- Enhanced sensation
- Increase of sociability

Molly has been shown that it produces brain lesions which is a form of brain damage. Using Molly for a long period will produce neurotoxicity in serotoneric axon terminal. The most dangerous physical health risk are hyperthermia and dehydration. 


Molly is a dangerous drug which has a lot of bad effect to our body which overdose will cause death. Stay away from Molly, don't take it because of the psychoactive effects. 

Saturday, 25 October 2014

Review on (Party drugs)

Review on (Crazy for Party drugs) (documentary)

Link for the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un8-fggGdBQ


 The drug culture in Britain is changing fast, cocaine and ecstasy are found everywhere in Leed. This documentary is about the most major party of the year, "Halloween and Bonfire Night".

I was terrified after watching this documentary, due to the fact that party drugs have such significant effect on them and that it will ruin the rest of life if you keep taking it as there is no turning back once you have already reach a certain point. The events in the documentary is presented in the form as a chain of cause, stating how the drug will ruin the addict's life. The protagonist's are Holly, Oliver and Tony. I will definitely watch the documentary for a second time, so that I can remind myself that these substances are highly toxic and dangerous. I'm glad the fact that Holly, Oliver and Tony are back on the right track. 

Introduction: The documentary starts off by saying that Ecstasy and Ketamine are out, and that there are "new" party drugs introduced which are a lot more dangerous and harmful to your body compared to the old drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine. (They are also cheap compared to the other drugs)

1. Holly (23 years old)

Around 6-7 months ago, she was lost in her own village and did not manage to find the way home. Everyone was finding her, including her parents. Her stepmom, Allison, describes her as "digusting" and "emotional". Later, they found out that Holly has been taken the drug Mephedrone. She did not take any drugs for a total of two weeks, however, she then faces the biggest challenge, to attend the "Halloween and Bonfire Night" party. She managed to be "clean" throughout the whole party. She then says that she had a hard time of getting rid of the drugs. In the end, she has gone eight weeks without taking Mephedrone, and has finally manage to relaunch her fashion business.





2. Arthur (18 years old)

He has a great understanding of drugs, due to his experiences in taking them. He says that by taking drugs it changes the way of how we see the world, it also changes our perspective. It causes a temporary excitement.








3. Oliver (26 years old)

He has been taking Ketamine for the past two years. He went for help in the "Leed Drugs Help Clinic" as he knew what would happen to him if he does not take action for himself. When he visited the clinic, he told the Specialist that he had increase the amounts of Ketamine, as his body is craving more for it.

Specialist says that all damages caused by the drugs are irreversible, and can cause permanent damage to the bladder and finally to all our organs. The specialists also says that until now we still don't know what are the side-effects for the drug Mephedrone. 





4. Tony (24 years old)
He lives in Weeds. He quit his job recently. As his only dream was to focus on partying and artwork, until his money runs out. He chooses different drugs for different situations. He did not seek for any help at all. At last, he has gone on a detox, and is now seeking for a job.









5. James (The DJ)
James is the DJ in the party. He observed that there has been a change in party drugs and that they don't even have a clue of what those chemicals are, and what effects they will have on your body. His viewpoint is that it destroys the social circles or boundaries, and that taking drugs escalates the problem, making it a lot worse.




Tuesday, 21 October 2014

What is Methamphetamine


What is Methamphetamine?


Methamphetamine(C10H15N) is usually found in white or yellowish crystalline powder. It is a strong addictive drug that affects nervous system and causes hallucination. 




History of Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine was first synthesised in1893 by Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi and the production started to develop in1919. The wide use of Methamphetamine started in World War II to keep soldiers awake. High doses were given to Japanese Kamikaze pilots before their suicide missions. Methamphetamine was also used in German army extensively to improve the performance of soldiers.

After the war, methamphetamine became available to the Japanese public. It was used by college students, truck drivers and athletes as a non-medical stimulant and started to spread to the rest of the world.

In 1970, the USA government made methamphetamine illegal for most uses. The production and distribution of the drug was then controlled by gangs. In 1990s, Mexicans started to set up large laboratories for massive productions of methamphetamine. Small labs were also set up in apartments and kitchens. After that, the drug started to spread across USA and into Europe.

Presently, methamphetamine abuse occurs all over the world. The drug is illegal in most countries, except for the use in treatments of certain illness.



Chemistry

Methamphetamine (Contracted from N-Methyl-alpha-methylphenethylamine)

Formula: C10H15                              Classification:               Enantiomers:  
                            


 -Phenethylamine              -Dextromethamphetamine


 -Amphetamine                  -Levomethamphetamine



Dextromethamphetamine has shorter and stronger effect on Cental Nervous System (CNS) than Levomethamphetamine. In methamphetamine, there is either pure(100%) dextromethamphetamine or equal parts(each 50%) of dextromethamphetamine and levomethamphetamine.


Pharmacology

In the CNS, methamphetamine inhibits or reverses the transportation of dopamine transporter (the carrier of dopamine - a chemical that mediates pleasure and improves memory). It also inhibits transporters of other chemicals such as serotonin and norepinephrine.

In low doses, methamphetamine can cause an elevated mood, increase alertness, concentration and energy on exhausted individuals. At high doses, it may induce psychosis and stereotypy.


Medical usage

Methamphetamine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity.

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine
http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/crystalmeth/history-of-methamphetamine.html

                                                   

         

















Monday, 20 October 2014

What is Alcoholic drink?

Alcohol Beverage is a drink that contain 3% to 40% of alcohol in it. Alcohol are sold in many countries legally in many place. People can easily buy it in liquor stores, convenient store or supermarkets.


Alcohol are divided into three main kinds: Beer, wine and sprits. Wine is a product of grape, it has around 9% to 16% of alcohol content with years of fermenting. Not just grape, there are different kinds of "fruit wine" which are made out of apples, plum or cherries. Beer, similar to wine, it also needs fermentation. Beer is fermented from grain mash, the fermented mash are usually distilled, which means that beer is spirt. It is the most consumed alcohol in the world now.
Although alcohol are sold legally in many countries, there is still an age limit. Most country set their minimum drink age as 18 years old. This law usually applies in the licensed store that sells alcohol. Alcohol, which is also called ethanol, is considered as a psychoactive drug, meditational drug or recreational drug. Alcohol is very commonly abused in the world, that's why there are some countries in the world totally prohibited alcohol in their countries due to religions, health problems and morals.


As mentioned above, alcohol is not just a drink, it is a drug. It is really easy to get addicted to alcohol. Abusing alcohol will effect a person's relationship, work and legal problems. It will affect many part of a person's body, such as brain, heart, liver and pancreas. Alcohol interfere the communication pathways from the brain to different parts of the body which will affect's the person's mood and coordination. Alcohol leads to high blood pressure, arrhythmias which will lead to sudden heart attack. The liver will suffer from Alcoholic hepatitis, Fibrosis and Cirrhosis while abusing alcohol which causes huge damage to the liver. Too much alcohol will force the pancreas to produce toxic substance into the bloodstream which affect proper digestion. Alcohol abuse also leads to all kinds of cancers such as mouth, esophagus, throat, liver and breast. 








Party drugs

Party drugs

The most common party drugs:
  • Ecstasy 
  • Ketamine 
Is it the same for everyone?

The effects of the drug may vary from person to person. It depends on the individual's height, size, weight and health. It also depends on how the drug is taken and how often you take it. We will have to consider about the environmental factors as well, whether the person is alone or with their friends. 

What are the immediate effects? (Depends on the dosage and the types of drugs taken):
  • Feeling energetic (For a minimum of six hours)
  • Visual ability will be enhanced
  • Stimulates the brain and the CNS (Central Nervous System) 
  • Causes high blood pressure (Increased heart rate)
  • Excessive sweating
  • Tremor
  • Fever
  • The clenching of teeth
  • Rigid muscles
  • Vomiting 
  • Urination is affected 
  • Sore throat



High-dosed situations 
  • Causes hallucinations: Affects your perception  
  • Convulsions: Irregular movement of the body, caused by the contraction of the muscles and associated with brain disorders. 
  • Slowed breathing: Due to the damage of the respiratory system 
Long-term effects? 

May lead to the changes of how the brain produce chemicals naturally.

Heroin

What is heroin?

Heroin is a highly addictive drug, it is classified as a "schedule" drug under the Controlled Substances  Act of 1970 and has no acceptable medical uses in the United States. (Pure) heroin is presented in a white power form, and comes with a bitter taste. Drug dealers often sold their heroin in powder form and is usually "cut" with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, salt, starch or powdered milk.

Methods of heroin intake

Heroin is mostly injected. However there are other ways for taking Heroin as well. Drug addicts often  "smoked" or "sniff" the drug. Some addicts prefer oral ingestion which does not usually lead to a "rush". However, heroin is addictive no matter which route you take.

What are the side effects?

Frequent use of the drug can be very destructive. This is because frequent injections may cause your whole circulatory system to collapse which includes all the blood vessels: veins, arteries and the capillaries.
Below are the short-term and long-term effects of using the drug:

The short-term effects:

  • Be drowsy at all times
  • Dry mouth
  • Heart function slows down 
  • A warm flush feeling of the skin
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

The long-term effects:

  • Bad teeth
  • Swollen gums
  • Constipation
  • Cold sweats
  • Itching (especially the neck)
  • Your immune system weakens
  • Depression
  • Muscular weaknesses
  • Respiratory illnesses
  • Reduced sexual capacity 
  • Loss of appetite
Other health hazards of using the drug may lead to bone pain, insomnia, and kicking movements. 

Treatments for heroin addiction:
  1. Methadone (Most common and effective in treating drug addicts) 
  2. Naltrexone 
  3. Naloxone 



Review on (Heroin)

Review on the
Heroin (Drug devil discovery and documentary)

The documentary film 
(Link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw1ndkW63tg

Genre: Documentary

The events in the documentary are presented in the form as a chain of cause, stating how the drug will change the drug addict's behaviour and personality. The protagonists are the five drug addicts listed below, and that they are all reaching to their deadlines, however, the three recovering drug addicts has at least given a try (to get rid of the drug). If they do not manage to quit the drug on time, the final consequence that they will all face is death.
Names of the drug addicts:
1. Butch (Heroin addict)
2. Jennifer DeVore (Recovering drug addict) 
3. Brandon Kennard (Recovering drug addict)
4. Merry Dooer (Recovering drug addict) 
5. Terry MacDonald

1.Butch is a heroin addict, and he had no intention of  quitting the drug. He did it mostly in the public and doesn't seem to care whether it is illegal. He totally depends and relies on his friends to save him while he is in trouble (unconscious). He also mentioned that he will not be able to save himself and that it was his friend's job to save him. 

2. Jennifer Devore was a heroin addict, however she is trying her best to recover and to get rid of the drug as well. However, it will be a lot harder for her case as she has already taken the drug for 15 years and that her brain has already adapted to the substance. Therefore, her body trembles whenever she craves for heroin. 

3 and 4.Brandon Kennard and Merry Dooer suffered from heroin for 8 years. Merry Dooer had the intake of heroin while she was pregnant, fortunately, it did not affect her daughter. After a while, she was pregnant once again and she knew that she had to stop or else it might be fatal for both the mother and the baby. 

5. Terry Macdonald was a elementary school teacher had a "clean" life for two years. Unfortunately, he could not resist the temptation of taking Heroin. Later on, he changed his job and became a songwriter.  

I was shocked after watching the documentary. This is because now I know that there are many possible consequences of abusing heroin. Yes, I would view the video for a second time, as I want to know the reasons behind the addicts of using the drug, it might be due to depression or family disputes. From the above cases, we can see that Heroin is a highly dangerous and addictive drug. So if you don't want to be like them, please don't even think about trying the drug, as there's no turning back once you've chosen that path... 

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

Review on Alcohol abuse

Alcohol - a less harmful drug than Methamphetamine, but it is still a dangerous drug as it is very easy to be addicted to it.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dJ97Vwoup4

This documentary is about Ryan, who he said can't live without alcohol. He is known as a alcohol addict. Ryan is a very frequent alcohol user, in this video you can see that he is asking for vodka almost every minute. His family tries to help him to get off this addiction by giving him less alcohol. But no matter how hard they try, it has no effect to him. Ryan decided to go for a test and see how damaged is he because of alcohol. He was very scared and shocked when the result came out, he was then sent to a psychologist to persuade to go to a rehab. He decided to go to rehab but 17 days into rehab he died.


Alcohol is not just a drink that everyone can handle, it is an easily addicting drug. It kills people slowly from the inside. Stop drinking before you're fallen into the hands of alcohol.

I've watched this documentary about alcohol abuse. I was shocked after watching it. I can't believe that alcohol can affect a person so much and causes damages in all part of his body. I'm engaged with the part when the person in the documentary called Ryan decided to take a step forward and bring himself to rehab, but he died after 17 days in rehab. It's really sad seeing Ryan took a huge step forward to rehab to change his own life but still fallen into the hands of death. I would like to watch the documentary again. Because it reminds me how dangerous is alcohol and not to abuse it.








Sunday, 12 October 2014

Review on The World Most Dangerous Drugs - Methamphetamine

The World Most Dangerous Drugs - Methamphetamine

Link to the Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI_PcGl_hoo

This recent video is a documentary about methamphetamine (meth), a drug that is widespread over the world and affecting billions of people. The video focuses on demonstrating the devastating effect of meth by showing cases of meth addicts who display terrible images of drug users.

lookfordiagnosis.com
lookfordiagnosis.com
There are a few main characters in the documentary, each narrates a real story of meth addiction. Although the stories are told in passive voice, they are relatively convincing because they are shocking, typical and thought-provoking.

The most impressive case is a young couple who had used meth in a party. It was the first time of drug using for both of them. Unfortunately, they were trapped in snow storm on their way back. They called for help from the police. However, the illusion caused by meth confused them and the police, which also led them to death on the freezing field.

The video also discusses how meth carries out its function.

According to the video, meth is a dangerous drug that get people addicted with little amount of use. It will ruin people's lives. Therefore, stay away from meth, to keep yourself safe.