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STIMULANTS
(UPPERS)
STIMULANTS are
drugs used to increase mental activity relieve fatigue,
increase alertness, and offset drownsiness.
KINDS
OF STIMULANTS
AMPHETAMINES.
First use in the 1930's to treat narcolepsy. They are
marketed in form of inhalers, injectables and tablets.
COCAINE.
The most potent stimulant of natural origin. Cocaine is
extracted from the leaves of the "coca" plant
which are grown in the andean highland of South America.
Illegal cocaine is in the form of white crystalline powder,
It is shorted through the nose.
"SHABU"
or methamphetamine HCI. The most abused stimulant drug
in the Philippines today. It is commonly known as "poor
man's cocaine", or by other names, such as: "shabs,
ubas, S, siopao, sha and ice. "Shabu is a white,
odorless crystal or crystalline powder with bitter taste.
It can be injected as well as inhaled by the user.
EFFECTS
OF STIMULANT
- It gives a feeling of being
stronger, more decisive and self-possessed
- Extend warefullness and increased
mental alertness
- It may induce irritability,
anxiety and fear
- Loss of aapetite resulting
in decreased body weight
- Pregnant woman who abused
"shabu" can cause mental retardation to their
unborn babies
- Loss of sexual desire, lacks
interest toward work
- User suffer "schizophrenia"
or split personality leading to violent behavior
- Chronic users experience
loss of memory
- Injecting "shabu"
using dirty needles can lead to various infections,
such as: hepatitis - B, blood poisoning
and AIDS
ABUSE
OF STIMULANTS
Abuser
of amphethamine, cocaine, and "shabu" take the
drug by inhalation, sniffing, snorting or by the injection.
Abuser need a higher dosage to get "high".
Tolerance
and physical dependence usually set in after a few weeks.
Withdrawal symptom effects are depression and excessive
period of sleep. The depression caused by these drugs
can lead to "suicide".
FIRST
AID TREATMENT
- Try to protect
the victim from injuring or harming himself and others.
- Keep an open
airway and give artificial respiration, when needed.
- Maintain
normal body temperature of the patient.
- Seek psychiatric
help for the victim experiencing delusions of hallucinations.
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