Narcotics

Aranas, Dayao, Garcia, Guinanoy, Maddela

 narcotic
noun ︱ nar∙cot∙ic ︱ \när-’kä-tik\

: a drug that in moderate doses dulls the senses,

relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in
excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions

Origin
From Greek narkōtikos, from narkoun to benumb,
from narkē numbeness
History
History
• Narcotics, also known as opioids, date back to 3400 B.C.
• In ancient Greece, the term “narcotic” was used to refer to agents
that numb or deaden, causing loss of feeling or paralysis.
• Narcotics from ancient times all had a common source: the red opium
poppy. The earliest records of this opium poppy or “joy plant” being
cultivated was in Mesopotamia by the Sumerians.
Opium
• Opium exerts its main effects on the brain and spinal cord. Its principal action
is to relieve or suppress pain. It also alleviate anxiety, induce relaxation,
drowsiness, and sedation, and may impart a state of euphoria or other
enhanced mood.
• For many centuries, opium was the principal painkiller known to medicine
and was used in various forms and under various names.
• Laudanum, for example, was an alcoholic tincture of opium that was used in
European medical practice as an analgesic and sedative.
• Physicians relied on paregoric, a solution of opium, to treat diarrhea by
relaxing the gastrointestinal tract.
Morphine
• Morphine was named after the Greek god of dreams, Morpheus.
• The narcotic effects of opium are mainly attributable to morphine,
which was first isolated in 1804.
Heroin
• In 1898 it was discovered that treating morphine with acetic
anhydride yields heroin, which is four to eight times as potent as
morphine in both its pain-killing properties and its addictive potential.
In Modern Medicine
In Modern Medicine
• In medicine, narcotics are used to block pain signals between the
brain and the body and are typically prescribed to treat moderate to
severe pain.
• The most commonly prescribed narcotic medications are:
• Morphine
• Oxycodone
• Fentanyl
• Oxymorphone
• Methadone
Opioids
• In medicine, narcotics used for prescription pain medications are
referred to as opioids
• This class of drugs bind to the opioid receptors in the nervous system,
which reduces how pain messages are sent to the brain and how the
body senses pain
As a Recreational Drug
As a Recreational Drug
• In addition to controlling pain, narcotics can make some people feel
relaxed, happy, or “high”, and can be addictive.
Opium
Heroin
Morphine
Codeine
Oxycodone
These drugs affects everyone differently, based on:
1. The person’s size, weight and health
2. Regularity of use
3. Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
4. The amount taken
5. The strength of the drug (which varies between batches).

Negative Side Effects

 Negative Side Effects of Opium
The main effects of opium are exerted by its collection of alkaloids collectively
known as ‘opiates’. Opiates predominately affect the functioning of the brain and
spinal cord. The levels and potency of alkaloids in opium can be difficult to measure,
as they vary between batches, area of growth and growing techniques.

The effects of opium last for two-to-three hours, though this is dependent on
individual characteristics of the batch. Tolerance to the effects of opium increases
quickly.
Symptoms of use include:
• euphoria
• relaxation
• analgesia.
 Negative Side Effects of Opium
Opium and lead poisoning
Some opium has been found to be heavily contaminated with lead.
The source of lead in opium is still unclear, though it is either thought to
be a byproduct of processing or may be added to increase its weight at
the point-of-sale.

Lead poisoning can have a serious effect on people’s health, can

cause long-term organ damage or be fatal.
 Negative Side Effects of Opium
Overdose
The alkaloids present in opium are well known to cause respiratory and cardiac
suppression. Ingestion at high levels has been reported to cause severe suppression of
heart function, coma and death.
Symptoms of opium overdose:
• slow breathing Coming down
• seizure In the days after opium use, the
• dizziness
following may be experienced:
• weakness
• irritability
• loss of consciousness
• depression.
• coma
• death.
 Negative Side Effects of Opium
Long-term effects
Long-term use can inhibit smooth muscle function in the bowel,
leading to constipation. It can also cause drying of the mucous
membranes, leading to dry mouth and nasal passages. Tolerance to
opium is established quickly, and as a result, physical dependence may
increase the chance of overdose.
 Negative Side Effects of Opium
Mixing opium and other drugs
Opium is commonly taken with other drugs such as cannabis and/or
methamphetamine. Black is the mixture of marijuana,
methamphetamine and opium, and Buddha is the mix of potent
marijuana spiked with opium.
Taking multiple depressant drugs can significantly increase the
chances of respiratory and cardiac depression and overdose. Similarly,
taking depressants with stimulants may mask the negative effects of
either, also leading to overdose.
Negative Side Effects of Opium
Withdrawal
Giving up opium after using it for a long time is challenging because the
body must get used to functioning without it. Withdrawal symptoms usually
start within six to 24 hours after the last dose and can last for about a week –
days one to three will be when the worst withdrawal symptoms are
experienced. These symptoms can include:
• restless sleep and yawning
• cravings for opium • stomach and leg cramps
• restlessness and irritability • vomiting and no appetite
• depression and crying • runny nose
• diarrhea • fast heartbeat.
 Negative Side Effects of Codeine
Overdose
If the dose is too high, symptoms are:
• inability to pass urine
• severe constipation and obstructed bowel
• agitation
• cold clammy skin with a bluish tinge
• mental numbness
• very slow, shallow breathing
• hallucinations and sometimes seizures
• coma and death.
 Negative Side of Codeine
Long-term effects of codeine
Regular use of codeine may eventually cause:

Using codeine with other drugs

• constipation
Codeine taken with alcohol can cause mental
• reduced sex drive clouding, reduced coordination and slow
• irregular periods breathing.

• tension and muscle twitches

• needing to use more to get the same effect
• dependence on codeine
• financial, work and social problems.
 Negative Side of Codeine
Withdrawal
Giving up codeine after using it for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning
without it.
Withdrawal symptoms usually start within a few hours after the last dose and become strongest between 48 and
72 hours. These symptoms can include:

• cravings for codeine

• dilated pupils
• abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
• lack of appetite
• runny nose and sneezing
• yawning and difficulty sleeping
• trembling, aching muscles and joints
• Goosebumps, fever, chills, sweating
• restlessness, irritability, nervousness, depression.
 Negative Side Effects of Heroin
Effects of heroin
These effects will be experience, which will last for 3 to 5 hours:
• intense pleasure and pain relief
• relaxation, drowsiness and clumsiness
If injecting drugs there is an increased risk of:
• confusion • tetanus
• slurred and slow speech • infection
• vein damage.
• slow breathing and heartbeat
• dry mouth If sharing needles there is an increased risk of:
• tiny pupils • hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• reduced appetite and vomiting • HIV and AIDS.
• decreased sex drive.
 Negative Side Effects of Heroin
Long-term effects
Overdose Regular use of heroin may eventually cause:
• Intense sadness
• trouble concentrating • Irregular periods and difficulty having
• falling asleep (‘going on the nod’) children
• No sex drive
• wanting to urinate but finding it hard to • Constipation
• itchiness • Damaged heart, lungs, liver and brain
• Vein damage and skin, heart and lung
• irregular heartbeat
infections from injecting
• cold, clammy skin • Needing to use more to get the same
• slow breathing, blue lips and fingertips effect
• Dependence on heroin
• passing out • Financial, work or social problems.
 Negative Side Effects of Heroin
Coming down
In the days after heroin use, the following may be experienced:
• irritability
• Depression

Using heroin with other drugs

The effects of taking heroin with other drugs – including over-the-counter or
prescribed medications – can be unpredictable and dangerous, and could cause:
• Heroin + ice, speed or ecstasy: enormous strain on the heart and kidneys, and increased risk
of overdose.3
• Heroin + alcohol, cannabis or benzodiazepines: breathing may slow and eventually stop.
 Negative Side Effects of Heroin
Withdrawal
Giving up heroin after using it for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to
functioning without it. Withdrawal symptoms usually start within 6 to 24 hours after the last dose and can
last for about a week - days 1 to 3 will be the worst. These symptoms can include:

• cravings for heroin

• restlessness and irritability
• depression and crying
• diarrhea
• restless sleep and yawning
• stomach and leg cramps
• vomiting and no appetite
• runny nose
• fast heartbeat.
 Negative Side Effects of Oxycodone
Oxycodone affects everyone differently, but the effects may include:

• pain relief • constipation

• dizziness or faintness • dry mouth
• stomach ache and nausea
• tiredness
• difficulty urinating
• confusion and difficulty concentrating • slow pulse
• euphoria or negative mood • excess sweating, flushing and itching
• restlessness • mild allergic rash or hives
• stiff muscles
 Negative Side Effects of Oxycodone
If injecting drugs there is an increased risk of:
• tetanus
• infection
• vein damage.
If sharing needles there is an increased risk of:
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• HIV and AIDS.
Injecting drugs repeatedly and sharing injecting equipment with other
people increases the risk of experiencing these effects.
 Negative Side Effects of Oxycodone
Overdose
• chest pain or discomfort
• small pupils
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• extreme drowsiness and loss of consciousness
• no muscle tone or movement
• slow or irregular heartbeat.
Long-term effects
• dental problems
• mood swings
• reduced sex drive and decreased level of testosterone (males)
• menstrual problems (females)
• needing to use more to get the same effect
• financial, work or social problems.
 Negative Side Effects of Oxycodone
Using oxycodone with other drugs
The effects of taking oxycodone with other drugs can be unpredictable
and dangerous, and could cause:

• Oxycodone + alcohol: increased confusion and clumsiness, and breathing

difficulties.
• Oxycodone + some antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitors –
MAOIs):delirium, convulsions, respiratory failure, coma and death.
Negative Side Effects
Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person and are different depending
on the type of oxycodone taken. Symptoms usually last for approximately one week
and can include:
• muscle spasms and tremors
• watering eyes • loss of appetite, nausea and
• runny nose vomiting
• uncontrollable yawning • increased heart rate and
• difficulty sleeping and severe restlessness blood pressure
• hot and cold flushes • uncontrolled kicking
• pains in muscles and joints movements.
Physical Dependence
• Occurs when the body becomes so used to the narcotics that if the intake
of the same is stopped abruptly, it can lead to withdrawal symptoms like:
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Muscle pain and bone aches
• Chills
• Difficulty sleeping
• Such withdrawal symptoms are usually assuaged by continued use of
narcotics
Tolerance
• With chronic use, the body develops a tolerance to narcotics, so that
progressively larger doses are needed to achieve the same effect.
Addiction
• Refers the compulsive use of narcotics; a craving for narcotics, where
the focal point of one’s life is getting narcotics
• This drive is difficult to control and requires specific medical
treatment
Laws on Narcotics
Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, 1961
INCB Yellow List
Laws on Narcotics
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165