NCJ Number
50006
Journal
1MESC (INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL MEDICINE AND CRIMINOLOGY OF SAO PAULO Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 1977) Pages: BRAZIL)/BOLETIMOFICAL,P 5-7
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
AMPHETAMINES, THEIR USES, EFFECTS, AND DANGERS, WERE DISCUSSED AT THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CRIMINOLOGY IN SAO PAULO IN 1976.
Abstract
RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE USE OF HEROIN, COCAINE, AND MARIJUANA--WELL-KNOWN DRUGS--IS THE USE LESSER KNOWN BUT JUST AS ADDICTIVE GROUP OF DRUGS. THESE ARE PART OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL PARAPHENALIA--DRUGS THAT ARE ON HOME MEDICINE SHELVES OR THAT CAN BE BOUGHT IN MANY COUNTRIES WITHOUT PRESCRIPTIONS. THEIR REPUTATION AS MIRACLE DRUGS TRAVELS VIA WORD-OF-MOUTH. THESE BARBITUATES ARE AS HARMFUL AS THE BETTER KNOWN DRUGS AND ARE CAPABLE OF CREATING A DANGEROUS DETERIORATION OF THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF THE USER. THE USE OF BARBITUATES IS SUCH A RAPIDLY GROWING PHENOMENON THAT MEDICAL SCIENCE HAS BEEN LOOKING WITH PARTICULAR INTEREST AT IATROGENY, THE ACT OF KILLING BY OVERMEDICATION. THESE DRUGS INCLUDE AMPHETAMINES AND VARIATIONS USED AS THERAPEUTIC DRUGS OR AS DIET AIDS. USERS NOTICE THE EFFECTS OF THE DRUGS IMMEDIATELY--EXCITATION, KEENER SENSES. THIS REPUTATION CAUSES THE USE OF THESE DRUGS TO SPREAD TO OVERWEIGHT PERSONS, THOSE WHO NEED A QUICK MOOD ELEVATOR, AND ATHLETES WHO USE THEM FOR EXTRA ENERGY KICKS. A DEPENDENCY ON THESE DRUGS DEVELOPS THROUGH UNSUSPECTING USE OF THE DRUG, WHICH TURNS INTO NECESSITY, AND FINALLY ADDICTION; (I.E.,) THE GENERAL PATH OF THE STUDENT WHO, UNDER PRESSURE TO PRODUCE GOOD ACADEMIC WORK, USES THEM TO KEEP AWAKE, OR THE OVERWEIGHT PERSON, WHO USES IT TO KEEP SLIM, OR TO BE HAPPY. CONTINUED USE CAUSES A LOSS OF APPETITE AND GENERAL PHYSICAL WEAKENING. MEANWHILE, PSYCHOLOGICAL WEAKENING MANIFESTS ITSELF BY A DEPENDENCY ON THE DRUG. EVENTUALLY, WHEN PHYSICAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS TIREDNESS AND BAD NUTRITION WITH A LACK OF ENERGY BEING TO BE EVIDENT, INDIVIDUALS' PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCY CAUSES THEM TO INCREASE THEIR INTAKE OF THE DRUG. SEVERAL ACTIONS ARE SEEN AS BEING COMMON TO THESE USERS: (1) CONFLICTS WITH FAMILY AND CLOSE FRIENDS, (2) VIOLENCE WITH OBJECTS AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS, (3) VIOLENCE DIRECTED TO (IMAGINARY) PERSECUTORS, AND (4) A NEED FOR MONEY CAUSING MISDEMEANORS. NO BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED. --IN SPANISH. (INL)