The Misuse of Drugs Book

The term 'drug misuse' covers a wide range of drug using activity, from 'experimentation' and weekend 'rave' drug use, to heroin dependence. Professionals, drug misusers and the public may all have different perceptions of what constitutes 'problem drug use'. Throughout this century, drug misuse has concerned politicians, doctors and the public to varying degrees at any given time - but concern at today's illicit drug use coincides with a marked increase in overall levels of drug taking, particularly amongst young people.The serious risks for the individual using drugs result from the direct action of the drug itself on the body, the route of administration - such as injecting, and by indirect effects such as accidents whilst intoxicated, or the chaotic lifestyle that may result from severe dependence. Injecting drug users are at considerable risk from infection by HIV and hepatitis viruses, and from other infections and diseases of the circulatory system.All professionals whose work involveRead More