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Illegal drugs threaten social stability and national security. In many countries worldwide, the illegal drug trade is thought to be directly linked to violent crimes such as murder. This situation is particularly true in developing countries but is also an issue for many developed countries worldwide. The Mexican government estimates that 90% of the killings in Mexico are drug related [4]. A report by the UK government’s Drug Strategy Unit stated that drug use was responsible for the great majority of crime, including 85% of shoplifting, 70-80% of burglaries and 54% of robberies [5]. The primary beneficiaries of the international drug trade may be a relatively small number of sophisticated trafficking organizations; however, the victims include countless drug addicts worldwide and innocent victims of crimes committed to support drug habits. Moreover, increasing evidence has indicated that the illegal drug trade has a substantial negative impact on all aspects of development. As the former Colombian Minister of Justice Rodrigo Lara Bonilla noted, “countries that begin by producing and trafficking in drugs end up by consuming them”.</br></br> | Illegal drugs threaten social stability and national security. In many countries worldwide, the illegal drug trade is thought to be directly linked to violent crimes such as murder. This situation is particularly true in developing countries but is also an issue for many developed countries worldwide. The Mexican government estimates that 90% of the killings in Mexico are drug related [4]. A report by the UK government’s Drug Strategy Unit stated that drug use was responsible for the great majority of crime, including 85% of shoplifting, 70-80% of burglaries and 54% of robberies [5]. The primary beneficiaries of the international drug trade may be a relatively small number of sophisticated trafficking organizations; however, the victims include countless drug addicts worldwide and innocent victims of crimes committed to support drug habits. Moreover, increasing evidence has indicated that the illegal drug trade has a substantial negative impact on all aspects of development. As the former Colombian Minister of Justice Rodrigo Lara Bonilla noted, “countries that begin by producing and trafficking in drugs end up by consuming them”.</br></br> | ||
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− | The United Nations World Drug Report (2014) stated that | + | The United Nations World Drug Report (2014) stated that “<B>Opiates and opioids top the list of problem drugs that cause the most burden of disease and drug-related deaths worldwide</B>” [1].</br></br> |
Opiates are natural narcotic alkaloids derived from the poppy plant or semi-synthetic derivatives with narcotic properties. Common opiates include morphine, opium and heroin. Opioids are either fully synthetic or semi-synthetic alkaloids formulated to mimic the action of a natural opiate alkaloid. Examples of opioids are hydrocodone and oxycodone. Opiates are more common in the recreational drug world but are also utilized in the medical field, whereas opioids are more common in the medical and pharmaceutical fields but are also abused in the recreational drug world.Currently, many researchers are using the term “opioid” to refer to all opiate/opioid drugs and limiting the use of “opiates” to only natural opium poppy-derived drugs such as morphine. For this reason, the term “opioid” is used here as the common parlance to refer to all opiate/opioid drugs. | Opiates are natural narcotic alkaloids derived from the poppy plant or semi-synthetic derivatives with narcotic properties. Common opiates include morphine, opium and heroin. Opioids are either fully synthetic or semi-synthetic alkaloids formulated to mimic the action of a natural opiate alkaloid. Examples of opioids are hydrocodone and oxycodone. Opiates are more common in the recreational drug world but are also utilized in the medical field, whereas opioids are more common in the medical and pharmaceutical fields but are also abused in the recreational drug world.Currently, many researchers are using the term “opioid” to refer to all opiate/opioid drugs and limiting the use of “opiates” to only natural opium poppy-derived drugs such as morphine. For this reason, the term “opioid” is used here as the common parlance to refer to all opiate/opioid drugs. |
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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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