Substance Abuse, Prevention, and Control (Narcotics)

Drugs are chemicals that change the way the body works. Some drugs can cure illnesses when used properly. If drugs are abused or used incorrectly, these can harm you. Other drugs or powerful chemicals are dangerous no matter how they are used.

Narcotics slow down the work of the heart, brain, and nerves. Narcotics are depressant drugs. Some examples of these are opium, morphine, heroin, and codeine. Narcotics are used as medicine to relieve pain and to make the patient sleep. Aside from relieving severe pain and including sleep, narcotics were widely used to curb nausea and vomiting, stop diarrhea, and sedate mental patients. But after physicians noted a high rate of patient dependence upon these drugs, measures to control the use of narcotics were passed by the government. The use of narcotics at present is regulated. Morphine is used in some hospital settings to relieve pain. Codeine is found in prescription of cough syrups and in other pain killers.

Effects of Narcotics to the Individual

Narcotics can quickly make a drug dependent out of ordinary people. Narcotic users usually feel drowsy or sick. Those who are using these drugs for a long period can develop skin, heart and lung disorders. A person may become unconscious after taking a large amount of narcotics. Breathing may slow down so much so that death occurs. Users of narcotics may sometimes use other dangerous drugs together with narcotics, and this can be very dangerous.
Narcotics are addictive, causing physical and psychological dependence. Other side effects of opiates abuse are the following:

· decreased respiration
· drop in blood pressure
· dizziness
· nausea
· sweating
· uncoordinated muscle movements
· general weakness
· euphoria
· depressed sex drive


Effects of Narcotics to the Family

Users of narcotics cause problems in the family, community and in the society in general. Family members are affected when someone in the family is drug dependent. The behavior of a drug dependent is very different that can cause the family members to feel worried, upset, and scared. Drug users often cause arguments in the family.