Marijuana

Although marijuana is commonly used, it is none the less still very illegal. Marijuana has several street names such as weed, pot and cannibus. The growth and distribution of this very illicit drug nets millions each year. Those caught buying, selling and/or using this also face criminal charges up to and usually including jail time and fines.

Although rather contreversial, marijuana is said to be a "gate way" drug, as some believe the use of it leads in to using other more serious drugs.

An interesting fact I learned while reading is that 2/3 of the US population oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use, nearly 3/4 support the legalization for medicinal purposes.

Gateway Drug- a drug that leads into the use of other drugs.
Cannabis sativa- biological name for marijuana
Hashish-sticky resin from female flower plants
Amotivational syndrome- theory that the use of marijuana causes a lack of motivation.

Alcohol and its effects on society

In the United States, once every twenty two minutes there is an alcohol related fatality in a car crash. Also at any given minute, one in fifty drivers just so happens to be drunk. The hold that alcohol has on society now a days is unreal.

Before this chapter I didn't realize that there are several properties of alcohol. I only knew of two of them. The first of which is methyl alcohol (methanol) which in simply made of wood products. Small amounts of its metabolites are poisoness and can cause blindness however larger amounts can be fatal. Ethylene glycol is used in antifreeze, and a thrid type is isopropyl alcohol is used as an antiseptic such as rubbing alcohol.

Alcohol physically acts as an aneshetic, meaning it blocks ones sensitivity to pain. This must be the reason people start fights and such at bars. Their "beer muscles" begin to make an appearance and must actually not feel the pain.

A consequence tha is more than tragic is the effect that drinking alcohol during a pregnancy has upon the fetus. This is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome(FAS) and is characterized ny facial deformities, growth deficiency, mental retardation, and joint and limb abnormalities. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can also cause a spontanious abortion.

Although I did not do as well on the quiz as I had intended, after reviewing my answers, I realized if I had gone with my first reaction on most of the missed questions, I would have had a lot better score. Up to this point, honestly in all my classes, I realize I have been lazy. I have not been putting forth the effort needed to complete this class to the best of my ability and I need to do this. I have researched different things such as more detailed information on the Prohibition, and what it did and did not do for our country, which up to this point, I had little to no knowledge on. I did not realize that the 18th ammendment to the US constitution had banned alcohol and then that the 21st had repealed the 18th. Not only did that knowledge help me with this class, it gave me some insight into history that I did not know prior.

Here are a few websites that I have found that deal with alcohol problems and solutions: http://http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/AlcoholAbuse.html

http://http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=3338855&page=1

http://http://ezinearticles.com/?Alcohol:-Americas-Drug-of-Choice&id=191335

http://http://www.drugfree.org/intervention/gettinghelp/alcohol_and_drug_problems_overview

Depressants & Stimulants

A CNS (Central Nervous System) depressant can come in several different groups. Of these groups only a select few are used in an actual medicinal purpose. One of those are Xanax.These are in a class of drugs called benzodiazephines. This precription is also HIGHLY abused, however when used in the correct fashion this could be used to treat anxiety, stress, and panic attacks. According to http://www.oxyabusekills.com/xanax.html , Xanax has only been approved by the FDA (food and drug administration) for up to 8 weeks of use.

A CNS stimulant cause increased energy and a state of euphoria. One prime example of a stimulant is anphetamines. This could be in the form of a diet supplement, for the treatment of narcolepsy, or even ADHD( attention defecit hyperactivity disorder). Crack, cocainem, and ecstasy also fall into the class of cns stimulants. One very sad fact about the addiction to this, is that more often than not, if a pregnant mother gives birth to a child, and abuses such drugs a crack or cocaine, the baby will go through the same withdrawl symptoms as a grown adult will. For that matter, even coffee which is legal in all forms, when used to much could be concidered a stimulant.

benzodiazephine-prescribed to treat anxiety, and in short term for sleep disorders. not recommended for long term usage.

REM sleep- restive phase of sleep associated with dreaming.

club drug - drugs used by young adults at dance parties such as raves

speed balls- combos of amphetamine or cocain with an opioid narcotic often heroin

Ch 1 and 2

I am proud to say that I am twenty six years old and have never had a sip of alcohol or consumed any kind of drug, not even a cigarette. I, however, am in the minority. According to http://www.drugs.ie.com/ among young adults ages 15-34 approximatly 31.4% in 2006-2007 had used some sort of illicit (1) or illegal drug in their lifetime. Thats an alarming number.





On page 5 in the text I learned that coffee, tea, cocoa, alcohol,otc(over the counter) drugs and tobacco are all licit (2) "drugs" and when used in moderation are socially acceptable. However, researchers have also noticed that the use of alcohol and tobacco are more prevelant than the use of marijuana, heroin and LSD.





Katie Couric did a special on cbs that shed some light into lessening use of maijuana, lsd, and other drugs but the increasing use of percription drugs (such as vicodin and oxycotin). The video is attached below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq_ZdsEhD1o

On page 52 in our text there is a chart that shows some of the risk factors for addiction. On this list there are biological based factors such as adhd, bipolar and depression. Another is psychosocial such as low self esteem, and conflicts. The final is social and cultural environment such as the availability, and peer pressure.


NEW TERMS:





Illicit Drugs- illegal drugs such as cocain, lsd, and marijuana.





Licit Drugs- Legalized drugs such as caffine, alcohol and tobacco.





Conventional Behavior- behavior dictated by custom and tradition, which is oftn disrupted by the forces of rapid technological change.





Low Risk Drug Choices-developing values and attitudes that lead to controlling the use of alcohol and drugs.





Needle Exchange Program-publically funded programs that distribute new, uncontaminated needles to drug addicts in exchange for used injection needles in order to prevent the spread of HIV and Hep. B and C

new post

Hi! My name is Loni Pries. I am a criminal justice major, and I am taking this class to assist with this major. i am hoping this class gives me some insight into how drugs have an affect on society and whether or not society has an affect on which drugs these people choose.