Introduction
Drugs, often known as medicines, are composed of chemical or natural compounds used to identify, treat, and prevent diseases or their symptoms. These medicines, when taken in limited amounts, are beneficial, but can be dangerous if not taken as prescribed. Drugs are known to alter a person’s mental state and physical well-being. As a result, long-term drug usage of more than the prescribed amounts may result in physiological alterations and can prove fatal.
Drug Abuse
Drug misuse is characterized as the unintentional use of medications that are not being used therapeutically in the required amounts. It unduly alters a person’s mental state and causes several issues, such as behavioural modifications, criminal activity, and a lack of efficacy in society. Nicotine, alcohol, heroin, club drugs, marijuana, and others are some of the drugs that are abused.
Sources of Drugs
Drugs initially were found in plant extracts, but recently are also synthesized in laboratories. Common sources of drugs-
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Plant source
Plants are a rich resource of various medicinally important compounds. Hence these can be used in treating various ailments. Following are a few plants and the drugs that they provide.Nux vomica– Strychnine,Papaver somniferum- Morphine, Atropa belladonna – Atropine, Digitalis purpurea- Digitoxin and digoxin.
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Animal source
Glands and internal organs of some animals are a rich source of various medicines such as Sheep thyroid giving thyroxine, the Liver of cod fish giving col liver oil, Pancreas of pigs providing insulin. Etc.
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Microbial sources
Various microorganisms release various chemical components for their self-defence which can be used as antimicrobial medicines by humans. Some of the drugs given by microbes are-Penicillin, Streptomycin, Dextran, Xanthan etc.
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Biosynthetic sources
Biosyhtetic drugs are drugs engineered in labs but organisms (plant or animal or microbe) are used for the development of the drugs. Some methods through which biosynthetic drugs are made are-the rDNA technology, immunology, biotechnology, molecular biology etc. For eg- the Hepatitis B vaccine.
Prevention and Control
The social experiences of children and adolescents affect how their minds develop. This may lead to the development of the habit of smoking, drinking alcohol, or using drugs. Hence parents and instructors should direct them in the appropriate direction and prevent such kinds of abuse.
The following actions can be taken to prevent and manage alcohol and drug abuse:
- Children typically imitate the behaviours of their family members, neighbours, and role models. Therefore, how parents and other family members feel about using alcohol, drugs, and smoking may have an impact on how children think.
- Hence, if any member of the family drinks or uses drugs then that should be stopped immediately.
- Continue monitoring the child’s attitude and behaviour patterns.
- When children are struggling with pressures, stress, disappointments, and failures, they require counselling, and parents and teachers should take the appropriate steps to do so.
- If it is discovered that the youngsters are abusing alcohol and/or drugs, their family members should notify the parents and take immediate action on that matter.
- Such issues of drug abuse are highly-sensitive matters, hence should be dealt with with care and precaution.
Summary
A substance that interacts with the body’s macromolecules to produce a physiological or psychological response is considered a drug. It can be given by several means, including ingestion, inhalation, intravenous, and smouldering. Regular usage of alcohol and drugs can result in drug addiction, which then leads to drug dependency, which adversely affects both the individual and society. Drugs target the human central nervous system and hence can negatively impact the body. Hence, their use should be minimized, and patients should only take medicines when necessary and for therapeutic reasons only.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are synthetic drugs?
Ans: Synthetic medications are those that have had the chemical derivatives of natural drugs rearranged to change their original qualities and chemical structures. Examples include phenytoin, antihistamines, paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, and chloroquine.
2. What are semi-synthetic sources?
Ans: Semi-synthetic drugs are from natural sources, and are hybrids that merely undergo chemical alterations, to increase their effectiveness. Examples include heroin (from morphine), ampicillin (from penicillin), and homatropine (from atropine).
3. Give the most common causes of drug abuse.
Ans: Disappointments, Depression, Failures, exposure to drugs from parents or family members, Curiosity, etc are some of the few reasons for drug and alcohol abuse.