Drugs An Overview Essay Example

Drugs An Overview Essay Example Drugs An Overview Paper Drugs An Overview Paper According to the article Drug Classes on US Drug Enforcement Administration site, five classes of drugs regulated under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) are narcotics, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens and anabolic steroids. Except anabolic steroids all other classes of drugs produce similar effects by altering moods, thoughts and feelings by their action on the Central Nervous System i. e. , brain and spinal cord. While some alleviate pain, anxiety and depression, others induce sleep and energize. When these drugs are increasingly used in a medically or socially inconsistent manner it is called drug abuse. In legal terminology â€Å"the non-sanctioned use of substances controlled in Schedules I through V of the CSA is considered drug abuse. † According to the article Methamphetamine on streetdrugs. org, methamphetamine being a powerful stimulant finds limited therapeutic usage and is primarily used to treat obesity. It can be orally ingested in the form of tablets or powder. Even small amounts of methamphetamine effect the central nervous system (CNS) causing increased wakefulness, respiration and physical activity, decreased appetite, hyperthermia and euphoria. Other effects on CNS are irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia and aggressiveness. Methamphetamine in any form is extremely dangerous inducing long-lasting, debilitating effects. Hyperthermia and convulsions may even lead to death. According to the article MDMA (Ecstasy) on streetdrugs. org, MDMA an illegally manufactured variant of mescaline and amphetamine is chemically known as 3, 4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine also called by various names such as Ecstasy, XTC, Adam and Essence. â€Å"It is considered a designer drug – a substance on the drug market that is a chemical analogue or variation of another psychoactive drug. † Ingested orally in tablet or capsule form producing profoundly positive feelings, extreme relaxation, empathy for others and elimination of anxiety. Short term effects of the drug include enhanced heart beat, blood pressure and body temperature, clenching of jaws and teeth or muscular tension, dehydration, chills, nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, insomnia and paranoia. MDMA is also said to suppress hunger and sleep. Long term effects are depression, sleep disorders, drug craving, liver damage, brain damage, persistent elevation of anxiety and paralysis. Large doses of MDMA may lead to muscular breakdown, hyperthermia, kidney failure and cardiovascular system failure. According to the article Cocaine on US Drug Enforcement Administration site, Cocaine is an oldest, powerful addictive stimulant previously used in tonics/elixirs prepared to treat wide variety of illnesses. It is a Schedule II drug under Controlled Substances Act of 1970. The drugs short term effects include euphoric feeling, energetic, talkative and mentally alert to sensations of sight, sound and touch. The physiological effects include constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, higher body temperatures, increased heart beat and blood pressure. Higher dosages may lead to tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches, paranoia, restlessness, irritability and anxiety. First time usage may also lead to death due to cardiac arrest or seizures following respiratory arrest. Long term effects of usage of cocaine include increased irritability, restlessness and paranoia ultimately resulting into a â€Å"full-blown paranoid psychosis† and auditory hallucinations. Los Angeles Times staff reporter stated that Jonathon Rios, a cheerleading coach was taken into custody after he was accused of administering Ecstasy a club drug to a 16 year old and indulging in unlawful sex. This is a peculiar case wherein the minor was administered drug without her knowledge and crime perpetrated on her. Jonathon Rios, though had not taken the drug personally but certainly had committed a crime giving the drug to the 16 year old and indulged in sexual act when the girl was under its influence. Sara Lin, staff writer of Los Angeles Times stated that Louis Bostich confessed to have killed Jami J. Vitteli after taking methamphetamine in the early hours of May 28, 1987 by smashing her head with a champagne bottle and escaped. Public defender Derek J. Bercher argued that his client lived a crime free life and also had begun a spiritual quest by visiting Buddhist monastery, discussing with clerics of various faiths and participating in recovery programs including Alcoholics. He was charged with O. C. murder and sentenced to 15 years life imprisonment by the Superior court judge. The above case clearly depicts that Louis Bostich killed Jami J. Vitteli under the influence of methamphetamine and it was unintentional. David Haldane, staff writer of Los Angeles Times stated that Paul Sassanberger will be formally sentenced for felony vehicular manslaughter for using methamphetamine and illegally taking a vehicle and extortion. On June 12, 2005 Leoncio Flores parked his car illegally in 1000 block of South Mantle Lane, as his car was being towed Flores arrived and offered $ 50 to Sassanberger. But Sassanberger refused to release the vehicle and continued driving, in the process Flores came under the wheels and died. â€Å"California law requires tow truck drivers to release a vehicle if the owner arrives before it has left the premises. † Thus Sassanberger was held guilty and sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. The sentence â€Å"Sassenberger, while employed by Pepes Tow Co. in Santa Ana from 2003 to 2005, refused to release vehicles to their owners on 11 occasions† clearly depicts that though traces of methamphetamine were found in the blood of Sassanberger, he was an adamant person and refused to release the vehicle like previously he had done. Hence he is responsible for the crime. References Drug Classes. US Drug Enforcement Administration. Page retrieved on July 6, 2007 from: usdoj. gov/dea/concern/drug_classes. html Methamphetamine. www. streetdrugs. org (2006). Page retrieved on July 6, 2007 from: streetdrugs. org/methamphetamine. htm streetdrugs. org/methamphetamine2. htm MDMA(Ecstasy). www. streetdrugs. org (2006). Page retrieved on July 6, 2007 from: streetdrugs. org/mdma. htm streetdrugs. org/mdma2. htm Cocaine. US Drug Enforcement Administration. Page retrieved on July 6, 2007 from: dea. gov/concern/cocaine. html Times Staff and Wire Reports. Cheerleader Coach Held on Drug, Sex Allegations. October 14, 2006. Page retrieved on July 6, 2007 from: latimes. com/news/local/la-me-rbriefs14. 4oct14,1,7461940. story Sara Lin. Times Staff Writer. Man Who Confessed to 1987 O. C. Murder Is Sentenced. September 6, 2006. Page retrieved on July 6, 2007 from: latimes. com/news/local/la-me-guilty6sep06,1,1582109. story David Haldane. Times Staff Writer. Orange County Tow Truck Driver Admits Violations. September 9, 2006. Page retrieved on July 6, 2007 from: latimes. com/news/local/la-me-tow9sep09,1,180504. story