drugs

1. An Overview of Drug Use
Globally
By Rooh Ullah

2. World Drug day?
A drug is any substance that, when taken into the body, can
change its physiological function or produce an effect on
perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior.

3. Globally
296 million people
use Hashish
Hashish
In 296 million
people 219 million
use Hashish
Ampethami
ne
Globally
23%
Global Prevalence of Drugs use
One in every 17 people worldwide had used a drug in 2021, 23 per cent more than a decade
earlier.
Drug use continues to be high worldwide. In 2021, 1 in every 17 people aged 15–64 in the world had used a
drug in the past 12 months. The estimated number of users grew from 240 million in 2011 to 296 million in
2021 (5.8 per cent of the global population aged 15–64). This is a 23 per cent increase, partly due to population
growth.
Cannabis continues to be the most used drug, with an estimated 219 million users (4.3 per cent of the global
adult population) in 2021. Use of the drug is increasing and although globally cannabis users are mostly men
(about 70 per cent), the gender divide is reducing in some subregions; women account for 42 per cent of
cannabis users in North America.
5.8% 4.3% 36m
Increase in
recent years

4. Drug Abuse
Drug abuse occurs when the use of a substance leads to negative
consequences, such as physical or mental health problems, impaired social
functioning, legal issues, or interference with responsibilities at work,
school, or home. It involves the excessive or inappropriate use of drugs
beyond recommended or prescribed doses, and it often involves a pattern
of compulsive drug-seeking behavior despite adverse consequences.
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction, also known as substance
dependence or substance use disorder, is a
chronic, relapsing brain disease
characterized by compulsive drug-seeking
and drug-taking behavior, despite harmful
consequences. Addiction is often
accompanied by tolerance (needing more of
the drug to achieve the same effect) and
withdrawal (experiencing physical or
psychological symptoms when the drug is
not taken). Addiction can profoundly impact
a person's physical health, mental well-
being, relationships, and overall quality of
life.
Drug Use
Drug use refers to the act of consuming
substances that affect the body's functions,
emotions, perceptions, or behavior. This can
include both legal and illegal substances, such
as prescription medications, alcohol, tobacco,
marijuana, and illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin,
and methamphetamine. Drug use can be
recreational, medicinal, or experimental.
Drug Use
Definitions
Drug Use
Definitions

5. “what’s past is prologue.”

6. Historical Background
Early humans discovered that eating some plants gave a feeling of relaxation, happiness, drowsiness, or pe “Some gave a feeling of
increased energy, alertness, and stamina. And some caused strange sensations, terrifying visions, or a profoundly different
awareness.
Egypt, 3500 B.C.E. – Alcohol
Mesopotamia, 3400 B.C.E. – Opium
China, 2737 B.C.E – Cannabis
Mesopotamia, 2000 – 1800 B.C.E. – Alcohol
Greece, Rome, Early Europe, 800 B.C.E. – 500 C.E. – Opium, Cannabis, Alcohol

7. Historical Background
Mead, an alcoholic drink made from fermented honey, was first used about 8000 BCE,
and beer and berry wines were first used about 6000 BCE. The ancient Sumerians used
opium starting about 5000 BCE. Ancient Egypt used alcohol in 3500 BCE, while ancient
China used cannabis (the source of marijuana) around 3000 BCE. Ancient people in
what is now Switzerland ate poppy seeds (the source of opium) in 2500 BCE. Coca
leaves (the source of cocaine) have been chewed for thousands of years. Folk medicines
made from plants and herbs have also been used since ancient times. People in ancient
Palestine drank wine in 350 BCE. Ancient Greeks drank poppy juice in 300 BCE. In
about the same period, South American tribes used a hallucinogen called cohoba, made
from mimosa beans. The Chinese and other Asians were using opium regularly by 1000
CE. Native Americans used tobacco before being discovered by Columbus in 1492.

8. Medical
Religious
Recreational
History of Drug Use

9. Ancient
Civilization
s
Drug use dates back to ancient civilizations such as the
Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. These cultures used
substances like opium, cannabis, alcohol, and hallucinogenic
plants for medicinal, religious, and recreational purposes. For
example, the ancient Egyptians used opium for pain relief and as a
sedative.
History of Drug Use Among
Humans

10. Medieval and
Renaissance
Period
During the Middle Ages, the use of various substances continued,
often intertwined with religious practices. Alcohol consumption
remained widespread, and substances like cannabis and opium
were still used for medicinal purposes. Additionally, the Age of
Exploration led to the discovery of new psychoactive substances,
such as tobacco and coca leaves, which were later introduced to
Europe.
History of Drug Use Among
Humans

11. Colonialism and
the Transatlantic
Slave Trade
The European colonization of the Americas and Africa significantly
impacted drug use. The cultivation and trade of substances like
tobacco, alcohol, and later, cocaine, played a central role in
colonial economies. The transatlantic slave trade also facilitated
the spread of tobacco and other substances to different parts of
the world.
History of Drug Use Among
Humans

12. Industrialization
and the 19th
Century
The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of alcohol and
the rise of pharmaceutical drugs. Opium and its derivatives
became widely available and were used for various ailments,
leading to concerns about addiction and abuse. The recreational
use of substances like cocaine and morphine also became more
common, particularly among the upper classes.
History of Drug Use Among
Humans

13. 20th Century and
the Rise of Drug
Regulation
The 20th century witnessed the implementation of drug regulation
policies aimed at controlling substance use. The Harrison
Narcotics Tax Act of 1914 in the United States regulated the sale
and distribution of opiates and cocaine. The prohibition era saw
the banning of alcohol in the U.S., leading to the rise of illegal
alcohol production and distribution.
History of Drug Use Among
Humans

14. Post-World War II
Era and the War
on Drugs
The post-World War II period saw the emergence of new synthetic
drugs, such as amphetamines and LSD. The 1960s and 1970s
marked a significant increase in recreational drug use, particularly
among youth culture. This led to the implementation of stricter
drug policies, including the War on Drugs initiated by the U.S.
History of Drug Use Among
Humans

15. Modern Times
and Changing
Attitudes
In recent decades, there has been a shift in attitudes towards drug
use, with increasing recognition of the importance of harm
reduction and treatment approaches over punitive measures. The
legalization of cannabis in several countries and the
decriminalization of drug possession in some jurisdictions reflect
changing perspectives on drug policy.
History of Drug Use Among
Humans

16. Stimulant
s
Depressants
Hallucinogens
Opioids
Classification of
drugs
Cannabinoids

17. What They Do
Stimulants are substances that rev up your body's
systems, making you feel more awake, alert, and
energetic. They stimulate the central nervous system,
increasing neurotransmitter activity in the brain.
Caffeine
Found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks,
caffeine is a mild stimulant that boosts
alertness and temporarily wards off drowsiness
by blocking the action of adenosine, a
neurotransmitter that promotes sleep.
Cocaine
A powerful stimulant derived from the coca plant, cocaine
produces euphoria, increased energy, and heightened alertness by
blocking the reuptake of dopamine in the brain.
Amphetamines
Prescription medications like Adderall and illicit drugs
like methamphetamine are potent stimulants that
enhance focus, attention, and energy levels. They work
by increasing the release of neurotransmitters such as
dopamine and norepinephrine.
Stimulants

18. What They Do
Depressants, also known as central nervous system
depressants, slow down brain activity and inhibit
neurotransmitter function, leading to sedation,
relaxation, and reduced anxiety.
Alcohol
Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic
beverages, is a depressant that produces
sedative effects by enhancing the activity of the
neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA) and inhibiting glutamate, resulting in
decreased brain activity.
Barbiturates
Once widely used as sedatives and anesthetics, barbiturates like
phenobarbital depress central nervous system activity by
enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission and inhibiting
excitatory signals.
Benzodiazepines
Drugs like Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam)
are commonly prescribed for anxiety and insomnia due
to their calming and sedative effects. Benzodiazepines
work by enhancing the inhibitory actions of GABA in
the brain.
Depressants

19. What They Do
Hallucinogens are substances that alter perception,
mood, and cognitive processes, often leading to
profound sensory distortions, hallucinations, and
changes in thought patterns.
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
A synthetic psychedelic compound, LSD binds
to serotonin receptors in the brain, disrupting
normal sensory processing and inducing visual
hallucinations, altered thinking, and changes in
mood.
MDMA
(Methylenedioxymethamp
hetamine)
Commonly known as ecstasy or Molly, MDMA is an
empathogenic drug that enhances feelings of empathy, emotional
openness, and euphoria by increasing serotonin, dopamine, and
norepinephrine release in the brain.
Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in certain
species of mushrooms, produces similar effects to LSD
by acting on serotonin receptors, leading to altered
perception, mystical experiences, and introspective
insights.
Hallucinogens

20. What They Do
Opioids are potent pain-relieving medications that
mimic the effects of natural opioids produced by the
body, such as endorphins and enkephalins.
Morphine
A naturally occurring opioid derived from the
opium poppy plant, morphine is a powerful
analgesic that binds to opioid receptors in the
brain and spinal cord, reducing the perception
of pain and inducing feelings of euphoria.
Oxycodone
A semi-synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain
relief, oxycodone activates opioid receptors in the central nervous
system, providing analgesia and relaxation. Brand names include
OxyContin and Percocet.
Heroin
An illegal opioid synthesized from morphine, heroin is
highly addictive and produces intense euphoria and
sedation when injected, snorted, or smoked.
Opioids

21. What They Do
Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis plants
that interact with cannabinoid receptors in the brain
and body, influencing various physiological and
psychological processes.
Hashish
THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol) The
primary psychoactive compound in marijuana,
THC activates cannabinoid receptors in the
brain, producing euphoria, relaxation, altered
perception, and increased appetite.
Synthetics Cannabinoids
Laboratory-synthesized compounds designed to mimic the effects
of THC, synthetic cannabinoids are often sprayed onto herbal
mixtures and sold as "fake weed" or "spice." They can produce
unpredictable and dangerous effects, including psychosis,
seizures, and cardiac complications.
Cannabinoids