The Use of Drugs as a Recreation

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In today’s society there are many dangers many of which can be avoided and many that cannot. Such unavoidable dangers are what keep everyone alert on a daily basis even though accidents are unavoidable the best way of mitigating such things are to expect the unexpected precisely the reason for so many cautionary measures such as seatbelts in cars, anti-venom in medicine, fire prevention sprinklers in every building, and specially designed structures in building in the case of a natural disaster. One danger however that is nearly impossible to control or mitigate is the use of drugs in the form of recreation. In 2010 the leading cause of death in the United States was drug over doses, claiming the lives of approximately 38,329 people 22,134 of which were related to the improper use of prescription pharmaceuticals. It does not stop there though because drug over dose deaths have been steadily increasing since 1992 with a whopping 102 percent increase from 1992 to 2010. Drugs for recreational use are difficult to regulate because there are so many different types of drugs, so many ways of consuming them, and many of these drugs are used for medical purposes but then are abused to dangerous levels making them lethal. There are 10 different categories into which drugs fall under those are; Tobacco products, Alcohol, Cannabinoids, Opioids, Stimulants, Club Drugs, Dissociative Drugs (make you feel separated from people), Hallucinogens, Other Compounds, and Prescription Medication. Some drugs are more common then others such as Cocaine, Marijuana, LSD, Methamphetamines, Ecstasy, and Heroin those are all household names in drugs. However, there are many other less infamous drugs most people have never heard of but are still a problem in ou...

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...ol to ingest these drugs? The problem is not the drugs but the individual that use and abuse these drugs. Amyl Nitrite although not as wide known as many others is a drug that is abused and a drug that has caused self inflicted harm to individuals taking it. The signs that a person is on Amyl Nitrite include acting as if drunk, being really jittery, and too relaxed. The short-term effect the drug has are slurred speech, euphoria, nausea, fainting, stupor, rapid heartbeat, anoxia, smooth muscle relaxation, lowered blood pressure, headache, vasodilation, myocardial sensitization, and hallucinations. The long-term effects Amyl Nitrite could result in the following; muscle weakness, disorientation, lack of coordination, irritability, depression, serious and sometimes irreversible damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and brain, memory impairment gets diminished.

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