Question

Why have cultures around the world historically tended to permit the recreational use of caffeine, alcohol and tobacco, while generally outlawing the recreational use of opium, cocaine and cannabis? In what ways, if any, do you think laws regarding psychoactive drugs should be changed?

Answer 1

Psychoactive drugs are also called as psychotropic substances or psycho-pharmaceutical drugs. These are chemical substances that usually acts on the central nervous system and alters functioning of the brain. These drugs usually alters thinking, perception, memory, behavior, mood and consciousness. These drugs have a potential of creating a physical or psychological dependence on the user, leading to a lifelong pattern of abuse. If a person becomes dependent on the drugs, his body craves for the drug, leading to a risk of taking larger doses, that might again lead to drug overdose.

WHO defined psychoactive substances as the substances that when taken in one's system, affect the mental processes like cognition, perception etc.

These drugs comprises both legal and illegal substances. WHO holds the responsibility to assist nations for the development, organization, monitoring and evaluation of treatment and other services in order to decrease the use of psychoactive drugs.

The Psychoactive Substances Act was came into action in 2016. It's a law in the United Kingdom anticipated to bring under control the production, sale and supply of a new class of psychoactive substances usually called as "legal highs". The bill was given Royal Assent on 28 January 2016 and came into action on 26 May 2016 across the entire United Kingdom.

Caffeine is a mild stimulant (increase nervous system functioning) which is a natural substance as it is present in coffee, tea leaves, cocoa nuts and several other plants. It is usually present in 60 other types of plants. It helps to maintain alertness and can increase the effectiveness of painkillers like aspirin. Similarly, nicotine is also a mild but toxic stimulant. The main active ingredient is tobacco. It seems to have a relaxing effect on many people and seems to reduce stress. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a depressant drug that slows the functioning of the central nervous system. It is formed by fermentation or distillation or several different types of vegetable matter.

Cocaine is again a stimulant that is naturally extracted from the leaves of coca plant. It arises feelings of euphoria, energy, power and pleasure. It also deadens pain and suppresses the appetite. It has many side effects like convulsions, effects fetus causing learning disability, hyperactivity, delayed language development, tremors etc in the child after birth. Opium is again a natural substance derived from seed capsules of the opium poppy. It's a narcotic drug having euphoric and pain relieving tendencies. Cannabis or marijuana (also known as pot or weed) is able to produce a feeling of well-being, mild intoxication, mild sensory distortion, euphoria, relaxation, stimulate appetite, altered time sense and mild visual distortions. Higher doses may cause hallucinations, delusions, paranoia. It also effects a person's reaction time and perception.

Recreational drugs are chemical substances taken for enjoyment, leisure instead for medical purposes. Although they can lead to improved life by providing pleasure, they can be addictive leading to health and social issues and to criminal acts. These drugs usually include caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. Though giving euphoric feelings, these drugs have many side effects like infections (such as HIV, hepatitis C etc), addiction, financial crises, affect family and social relations, mental problems, overdose, accidents, etc. Due to more severe effects and health hazards, recreation of drugs like opium, cannabis, cocaine etc is not permitted. Though there are several issues related to recreational drugs as well, but the side effects of opium, cocaine etc are more harmful.

Laws regarding psychoactive drugs have bought several positive changes in the world but reforming them from time to time is also necessary in order to protect the harm that might be caused. They should be judged, evaluated and funded according to their ability to meet the goals. These policies should also be evaluated by the harm caused by the policies themselves. Instead of calculating the success rate by seeing the fluctuations in drug use, the success should be measured by the decline in the harm related to drug use. These drug related harms include -

· deaths due to drug overdose

· drug addiction

· transmission of diseases and infections like HIV etc

· unwanted sexual intercourse or sexual abuse etc

Also, the government should be stringent and should also take strict measures in order to stop the

· corruption

· public distrust of law of enforcement

· environmental damage

· family disturbance and breakup

· loss of civil liberties

· prosecution

· criminalization of drug use

· drug related violence

· sentencing etc

The government should also focus on the health related drug policies in order to provide effective public health safety. Also, effective use of drugs in medical field should be tested and bring into use in order to make proper use of the drugs. Drug regulation model should be implemented in order to regulate the drug market where the supply and purchase of drugs is legal and permitted under specific circumstances under the proper supervision and rules and regulations. The government should be strict about the licensing, supply and access, non-profit user collections etc and should take strict actions if any illegal act is noticed.