Difference between revisions of "NJU-China-background.html"
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Illegal drugs are so harmful that countries across the world have decided to control them. However, the illegal drug trade (also called drug trafficking) remains one of the largest global businesses. | Illegal drugs are so harmful that countries across the world have decided to control them. However, the illegal drug trade (also called drug trafficking) remains one of the largest global businesses. | ||
− | Although estimating the value of the illegal drug trade conducted in dozens of currencies around the world is extremely difficult, the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention generally describes the production, trafficking and sales of illegal drugs as a $ | + | Although estimating the value of the illegal drug trade conducted in dozens of currencies around the world is extremely difficult, the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention generally describes the production, trafficking and sales of illegal drugs as a $435 billion a year industry [2]. However, unlike the international arms trade, which largely flows from developed nations that produce arms to less developed nations that use arms, the international drug trade has traditionally flowed from developing to developed nations. The illegal drug trade attracts criminal organizations because the potential profits are significantly more than those from other criminal commodities. As noted in the United Nations World Drug Report (2007), the high value of illegal drugs is understandable because “unlike human beings, diamonds or firearms, the drug supply is consumed each year and in need of continuous renewal” [3]. |
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/7/76/Illegal_drugs_fig_3A.gif" style="width:700px;height:350px"></br> | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/7/76/Illegal_drugs_fig_3A.gif" style="width:700px;height:350px"></br> | ||
Figure 3. The major trafficking routes of illegal drugs. There are three major producing areas of illicit drugs, Latin America and “the golden crescent” and “the golden triangle” in Asia.</br></br> | Figure 3. The major trafficking routes of illegal drugs. There are three major producing areas of illicit drugs, Latin America and “the golden crescent” and “the golden triangle” in Asia.</br></br> |
Revision as of 14:49, 18 September 2015
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What are drugs? Technically speaking, drugs are chemical substances that affect the normal functioning of the body and/or brain. In fact, a distinction between legal and illegal drugs does not exist; only the use of drugs is recognized as legal or illegal. Here, the term “illegal drugs” is used to describe drugs that are under international control but that are produced, trafficked and/or consumed illicitly. Illegal drug types are described in various ways, depending on their origin and effect. These drugs can be naturally occurring, semi-synthetic (chemical manipulations of substances extracted from natural materials) or synthetic (created entirely by laboratory manipulation). The primary illegal drugs are opiates (primarily heroin), cocaine, cannabis and ATS (amphetamine-type stimulants), such as amphetamines, methamphetamine and ecstasy.
Figure 1. Different types of illegal drugs Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and taking despite the negative consequences that may ensue. Addictions are caused by the impact of the drug itself on the brain (direct effects and neuroadaptations) and modified by various environmental factors. These factors include epigenetic changes, addict mindset, and social influences, including peer pressure, family environment, and, in particular, stress and stressor responses. Currently, drug addiction is commonly accepted as a disease of the brain, and most people who suffer from drug addiction cannot recover without medical help. The United Nations World Drug Report (2014) estimates that approximately 324 million people use illegal drugs annually [1]. Drug abuse and related addiction continue to be a serious public health concern worldwide. To this end, we need a target,a medicine and an agent.Our strategyReference1. 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