LeoGlossary: Drugs

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Drugs are substances that change the way your body or brain works. They can affect your mood, perception, behavior, and physical health. Drugs can be legal or illegal.

Legal drugs include prescription medications and over-the-counter medications. Prescription medications are drugs that are prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition. Over-the-counter medications are drugs that can be bought without a prescription.

Illegal drugs are drugs that are not legal to possess or use. Some common illegal drugs include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

Drugs can have both positive and negative effects. For example, prescription medications can be used to treat serious medical conditions, but they can also have side effects. Illegal drugs can be addictive and can lead to serious health problems.

History of Drugs

The history of drugs is long and complex. Drugs have been used by humans for centuries, for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

Some of the earliest known drugs include alcohol, opium, and coca. Alcohol has been used for thousands of years, and it is mentioned in ancient texts from all over the world. Opium has been used for pain relief and recreation for centuries, and it is derived from the poppy plant. Coca leaves have been used for centuries in South America to increase energy and alertness.

In the 19th century, a number of new drugs were synthesized, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. These drugs were initially marketed as medicines, but they quickly became popular for recreational use.

In the 20th century, the global drug trade became increasingly sophisticated. Drugs were trafficked across borders, and new drugs were developed. Some of the most dangerous drugs on the market today, such as fentanyl, were developed in the 20th century.

The use of drugs has had a significant impact on human history. Drugs have been used in religious ceremonies, wars, and social movements. Drugs have also been a source of addiction, crime, and violence.

Here are some of the key events in the history of drugs:

3000 BC: Alcohol is first used in Mesopotamia.
2000 BC: Opium is first used in China.
1500 BC: Coca leaves are first used in South America.
1800s: Cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine are synthesized.
19th century: Drugs are marketed as medicines.
20th century: Global drug trade becomes sophisticated.
20th century: New drugs, such as fentanyl, are developed.

Today, the use of drugs is a major problem in many countries around the world. Drug use can lead to addiction, health problems, and social problems.

Big Pharma

Big Pharma is a term used to describe the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. These companies develop, produce, and market prescription drugs. Big Pharma has a significant impact on the global healthcare system, both positive and negative.

On the one hand, Big Pharma is responsible for developing many life-saving and life-changing medications. For example, Big Pharma companies have developed drugs to treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other serious medical conditions. Big Pharma also invests heavily in research and development, which leads to new and innovative drugs.

On the other hand, Big Pharma has been criticized for its high drug prices, its aggressive marketing practices, and its influence on public policy. For example, Big Pharma companies have been accused of lobbying governments to pass laws that benefit their industry, even if those laws are harmful to consumers.

One of the most significant ways that Big Pharma has impacted the legal drug market is through its pricing practices. Big Pharma companies often charge high prices for their prescription drugs. This can make it difficult for people to afford the medications they need.

In addition, Big Pharma companies have been accused of engaging in aggressive marketing practices. For example, Big Pharma companies have been accused of targeting doctors and patients with misleading information about their drugs.

Finally, Big Pharma companies have been accused of influencing public policy. For example, Big Pharma companies have been accused of lobbying governments to pass laws that benefit their industry, even if those laws are harmful to consumers.

Here are some specific examples of how Big Pharma has impacted the legal drug market:

High drug prices: Big Pharma companies often charge high prices for their prescription drugs. This can make it difficult for people to afford the medications they need. For example, the average price of a new prescription drug in the United States increased by more than 250% between 2005 and 2018.
Aggressive marketing practices: Big Pharma companies have been accused of engaging in aggressive marketing practices. For example, Big Pharma companies have been accused of targeting doctors and patients with misleading information about their drugs. For example, in 2019, Purdue Pharma was fined $3 billion for its role in the opioid epidemic. The company was accused of misleading doctors and patients about the risks of its opioid painkillers, OxyContin.
Influence on public policy: Big Pharma companies have been accused of influencing public policy. For example, Big Pharma companies have been accused of lobbying governments to pass laws that benefit their industry, even if those laws are harmful to consumers. For example, in 2016, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) spent over $26 million on lobbying efforts.

Commonly Used Illegal Drugs

Marijuana (Cannabis):

Effects: Euphoria, relaxation, altered perception, increased appetite, impaired memory and concentration. Potential Risks: Impaired coordination, lung problems (if smoked), impaired cognitive function, addiction for some users.

Cocaine:

Effects: Intense euphoria, increased energy, alertness, heightened confidence. Potential Risks: High risk of addiction, cardiovascular issues, anxiety, paranoia, and violent behavior.

Heroin:

Effects: Intense euphoria, pain relief, drowsiness, mental clouding. Potential Risks: High risk of addiction, respiratory depression, overdose, infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis).

Methamphetamine (Meth):

Effects: Increased energy, alertness, intense euphoria, decreased appetite. Potential Risks: Severe addiction, dental problems ("meth mouth"), cognitive impairment, aggression, hallucinations.

MDMA (Ecstasy):

Effects: Increased empathy, emotional closeness, heightened sensory perception. Potential Risks: Dehydration, overheating, serotonin syndrome, mood swings, cognitive deficits.

LSD (Acid):

Effects: Altered perception, hallucinations, changes in sensory experiences. Potential Risks: Flashbacks, bad trips, psychological distress, impaired judgment.

Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms):

Effects: Altered perception, hallucinations, changes in consciousness. Potential Risks: Psychological distress, impaired judgment, potential for dangerous behavior.

Ketamine:

Effects: Dissociation, hallucinations, pain relief. Potential Risks: Impaired motor function, addiction, memory problems, hallucinations.

Synthetic Cannabinoids (Spice, K2):

Effects: Similar to marijuana, but with unpredictable and often more intense effects. Potential Risks: Severe health complications, including kidney damage, seizures, and psychosis.

Bath Salts (Synthetic Cathinones):

Effects: Euphoria, increased energy, hallucinations. Potential Risks: Agitation, extreme paranoia, violence, cardiac problems.

Global Drug Trade

The drug trade is a global black market dedicated to the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of prohibited drugs. It is estimated to be worth between US$426 and US$652 billion per year, making it one of the largest and most profitable criminal enterprises in the world.

The drug trade is controlled by transnational organized crime groups, who use violence, corruption, and intimidation to protect their operations. The trade has a devastating impact on societies around the world, contributing to crime, violence, corruption, and health problems.

The following are some of the key findings from a 2014 report by the think tank Global Financial Integrity:

The global illicit drug market is worth between US$426 and US$652 billion per year.
The United States is the largest consumer of illicit drugs in the world, accounting for around 25% of global consumption.
The most profitable drugs are cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drugs.
The drug trade is responsible for a significant amount of violence and corruption around the world.
The drug trade is a complex and challenging problem, but it is one that must be addressed in order to create safer and healthier societies.

Here are some specific examples of the size of the drug trade in different countries:

The US government estimates that the illegal drug market in the United States is worth between $100 and $750 billion per year.
The Mexican drug cartels are estimated to make between $19 and $29 billion per year from drug sales in the United States.
The Colombian drug cartels are estimated to make between $10 and $15 billion per year from drug sales in the United States.
The drug trade is a major problem for many countries around the world, and it is important to understand its size and impact in order to develop effective strategies to address it.

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