•City People Reveals The Harmful Drugs They Take
The abuse of drugs and chemical substance by the youth in Nigeria is a menace that has been severally addressed but yet there is no permanent solution. Over the years, it has been established that abuse of drugs and other chemical substances could be a risk to health.
Since 1999, more than 932,000 people have died from abuse of drug overdose according to facts on the CDC website. Most frightening is that youths still abuse illicit substances and regard it as a lifestyle. This is alarming.
However, death is not the only side effect of drugs and chemical substance abuse these days, health experts have raised alarm that use of drugs and other chemical substances contribute majorly to memory loss among young people.
It has been argued that people abuse drug for several reasons such as abusing drugs to find an escape, depression, anxiety and trauma. There are those who went into the habit owing to bad upbringing, environment, and peer pressure. All these are challenges that need attention.
CANNABIS
Also known by other street names such as Blunt, Mary J, Kush, Maryjuana, Pot, Cloud 9. Marijuana is the most widely abused illegal drug and is probably the most easily accessible in the world.
It’s a collection of dried greenish-gray leaves from various canabis plants. Variety of weed come from different cannabis plants. They include Colorado, Loud, Azirona, Blue Dream, Green Crack, Pawpaw, Purple Haze. They are said to produce different side adverse effects. As long as it’s used recreationally, the permanent adverse effects of weeds on the brain would continue to be debated.
However, it’s been shown that cannabis could cause memory loss because of its psychoactive component of (THC) tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is the chemical compound in weeds that causes highest damage that most consumers experience. By attacking the brain regions, such as the brain receptor in the hypocampus, cerebral cortex and the amugdalla regions wreak have on health.
The hippocampus plays the role of learning and memory loss and it also plays cognitive function.
MDMA (Methylenedroxy Methanmphelamine)
Also known by other street names, Ecstasy, Molly, 3-4, Happy Pills Adams, Clardy and Beans. It’s a psychotropic substance primarily used for recreation purposes. It has ability to affect mood and perception makes it a popular pill of abuse in clubs, house parties, musical concerts and even individuals use it to get high it’s chemically similar to both stimulants and halluciogen, meaning that it could produce increased energy, switch moods, increase alertness as well as induce hallucination and distort perception of small, sight, hearing, time, touch and taste.
Research also found out that people who use Molly over the years have 95% problem with information processing speed, and working memory, that is its effect on the “hippocampus”, which plays a damaging role in learning and memory.
CODEINE
Also known by other street names as Lean, Coder it has become a favourite for many drug abusers as it’s easier to obtain from any pharmacy store, small drug selling shop without a doctor’s prescription or authorisation.
Codeine, which is said to be derived from poppy is also related to Morphire and Heroin. It is being abused by Nigerian youth at an alarming rate.
Researchers say there is 87% possibilities for users of codeine to have restless behaviour and memory loss.
INHALANTS
Also known by other street names as laughing gas, people who use Inhalants inhale the fumes though their noses or mouths, usually by sniffing, bagging or huffing. It’s called different names depending on the substenance and equipment used.
Inhalants are chemicals found on daily basis in households or workplace that people inhale for purpose of getting high. People often don’t realise that inhaling the fumes of the products, even just once, could be very harmful to the brain and body and could lead to death. In fact, the chemicals found in these products could change the way the brain works and cause health problems in the body.
ROPHYPNOL
Also known as Ref, Roche, Roofies, Forget Me Pill, Mexican, Rz, Roofinal, Rope, and Rope on the street. It is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia, as a pre-medication in surgical procedures and for inducing anesthesia.
Rophynol is popular among youths because of its fast action and the fact that the effect doesn’t quickly wear off. It is approximately 7 to 10 times stronger than valium. It takes it just within 15 to 20 minutes of administration and depending on the amount ingested to start its evil work and may persist for more than 12 hours.
Rolyprol causes partial amnesia; individuals are unable to remember certain events that they experienced, while under the influence of the drug.
TRAMADOL
Also known by its street name, Tramas, it is an oral tablet. Tramadol is a prescription drug that is available as the brand name drugs ultram (immediate release tablet) and vitamin ER (extended release tablet).
Tramadol is not a controlled drug in Nigeria, while it is a controlled drug in other countries and it could only be bought with a doctor’s prescription. Tramadol is a narcotic like pain reliever used in treating mild to severe pains. Tramadol is also used as a treatment for premature ejaculation during sexual intercourse, but may have other negative effects such as inflicting erectile dysfunction on users.
Tramadol could stop or slow your breathing and could also causes seizures. Tramadol may be habit – forming even at regular doses and also cause loss of memory if over used.
ICE (CRUPTAL METH)
It is also known as Crystal Meth, Shabu, Crystal, Glass, Tina and Shard. Ice Crystal Meth, it is very addictive and is linked to chronic physical and mental health problems. It comes as little Crystals that look like Ice. It can be injected, smoked, snorted or swallowed.
Ice can affect people differently based on • quantity taken and • how strong it is • the person’s size, height and weight • whether the person is used to taking it • whether the person takes other drugs at the same time.
People who take a large quantity or a strong batch are at risk of overdose. The signs of overdose include: fast heart palpitations, breathing problems, seizures, loss of memory.
CRACK COCAINE
This is a form of proderd cocaine mixed with other substenances, such as Roaster and Baking Soda, and Cooked to a solid form. This causes the drug to be more concentrated and, therefore, more likely to lead to addiction.
It is so named because it makes a cracking or popping sound when heated. Crack is riskier and more potent than regular powder cocaine.
Crack effect takes hold on users more quickly and intensely than cocaine because Crack is absorbed through the membrane of the lungs, entering the blood stream and the brain within 10-15 seconds. As such, the risk of overdosing is extremely high, leading to convulsions, coma, and death.
Symptoms of Crack overdose are rapid heart rate and hyperventilation. Cocaine can directly cause changes in brain function.
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