This document defines drugs as chemical substances that have biological effects on humans or animals. It discusses the history of drug use from ancient times to the present. Drugs are categorized as over-the-counter, behind-the-counter, or prescription only, and types include stimulants, depressants, opiates, and hallucinogens. Drugs can be administered in various ways and polydrug use carries risks. The term "drug abuse" refers to frequent use that causes harm. Commonly abused drugs are discussed like tobacco, with acute and health risks outlined.

1. DRUGS
Kristy A. Hernandez

2. DEFINITION
A drug is, in the broadest of terms,
a chemical substance that has
known biological effects on humans
or other animals.
Drugs are substances given to
humans or animals for the
treatment, prevention, or diagnosis
of illness.
A chemical that is capable of
reacting with the body’s function.

3. HISTORY
Primitive human ate plants such as
mushrooms, which had physiological
effects.
Ancient Romans and Greeks practiced
a well-developed medicine, using
various plants and water
therapeutically.
Ancient Egyptians
Arab physicians in the 12th
century

4. European Paracelsus in 16th
century
European Apothecaries by 1700
18th
century
19th
century

5. DISPENSING OF MEDICATION IS OFTEN
REGULATED BY GOVERNMENTS INTO
THREE CATEGORIES
1. Over-The-Counter (OTC)
2. Behind-The-Counter (BTC),
3. Prescription Only Medicines (POM),

6. TYPES OF DRUGS
1. Stimulants
2. Depressants
3. Opiates.
4. Hallucinogens

7. ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS
1. Skin
2. Injection
3. Bolus
4. Inhaled
5. Injected Insufflation

8. 6. Orally
7. Rectally as a suppository
8. Sublingually
9. Topically
10. Vaginally as a suppository

9. POLYDRUG USE
 The taking of two or more drugs in
combination either intentionally or
inadvertently. For instance:
 Alcohol interacts with barbiturates
 Alcohol interacts with sedative
hypnotics

10. DRUG ABUSE
 The term drug abuse refers to the use of a
drug with such frequency that it causes
physical or mental harm to user or impairs
social functioning. Before 1973 the term had
referred to the use of any drug prohibited by
law, regardless of whether it was harmful or
not.

11. COMMONLY ABUSE DRUGS
Tobacco
Category &
Name
Examples of
Commercial &
Street Names
DEA Schedule
How
Administered*
Nicotine
Found in
cigarettes,
cigars, bidis, and
smokeless
tobacco (snuff,
spit tobacco,
chew)
Not scheduled
Smoked,
snorted, chewed

12.  Acute Effects - Increased blood pressure
and heart rate
 Health Risks - Chronic lung disease;
cardiovascular disease; stroke; cancers of
the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus,
stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney,
bladder, and acute myeloid leukemia;
adverse pregnancy outcomes; addiction

13. REFERENCES:
 Biology: The Dynamics of Life by McGraw-Hill
 Science Explorer: Human Biology and Health by
Prentice Hall
 Science Impact: Biology by Pacifico C. Payawal
Ph.d, Virginia C. Cuevas Ph. D et.al.
 Encyclopedia
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug
 http://www.forcon.ca/learning/drugs.html
 http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-
abuse/commonly-abused-drugs/commonly-
abused-drugs-chart