The Effects of Drugs and Their Relationship to Crime Essay

The use of illegal substances is a serious problem in the United States today and there are several drugs of choice among drug addicts and in this article we will discuss 3 of the most commonly used drugs and list their effects on the user. Marijuana One of the most commonly used controlled substances today is Marijuana. Marijuana is a product of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The main active chemical in marijuana, also present in other forms of cannabis, is THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (NIDA, 1984). Of the roughly 400 chemicals found in the cannabis plant, THC affects the brain the most. Short-term effects of the use of Marijuana Short-term effects of marijuana include problems with memory and learning, distorted†¦show more content†¦Cocaine can be snorted or dissolved in water and injected. The effects of cocaine can be deadly. Below is a list of some of the short and long term effects of cocaine on the body. Short-term effects of the use of cocaine Short-term effects of cocaine include constricted peripheral blood vessels, dilated pupils, increased temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, insomnia, loss of appetite, feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety (NIDA, 1984). The duration of cocaines immediate euphoric effects, which include energy, reduced fatigue, and mental clarity, depends on how it is taken (NIDA, 1984). The quicker the cocaine is absorbed into the body, the more intense the effects are (NIDA, 1984). However, the quicker the absorption, the shorter the high effects last (NIDA, 1984). The high from snorting may last 15 to 30 minutes, while the high from smoking cocaine may last 5 to 10 minutes (NIDA, 1984). The effects of cocaine are short lived, and once the drug wears off, the user experiences a crash that includes depression, irritability, and fatigue (NIDA, 1984). Long-Term effects of the use of cocaine High doses of cocaine or prolonged use can trigger paranoia (NIDA, 1984). Smoking cocaine can also produce aggressive paranoid behavior in users (NIDA, 1984). Cocaine addicts who stop using cocaine, often become depressed (NIDA, 1984). Prolonged cocaine inhalation can result in ulcerations of the mucousShow MoreRelatedLegalizing Drugs And The United States Essay891 Words   |  4 PagesLegalizing drugs in the United States would lead to great trouble for the country affecting all citizens. Legalizing drugs will cause chaos among Americans. Edmund Harnett a deputy chief and executive officer wrote an article, â€Å"Drug legalization: why it wouldn’t work in the United States.† Harnett is also involved in the narcotics division of the New York police department. William J. Bennett the director of the national drug control policy wrote a heavy article, â€Å"Drug Policy and the IntellectualsRead MoreWhat Factors Affect Crime Occurrence? 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