Question

A. Select a drug your are interested exploring (Answer all three parts.)

Provide the historical perspective of this drug (When was it discovered, who discovered it, was it always legal or was it always illegal etc)

Give the effects of the drug on the body, provide both the positive and the negative effects

When attempting to ameliorate the consequences of this drug how is this accomplished

Answer 1

Select a drug your are interested exploring (Answer all three parts.)

I select the drug Cocaine for the description.

Provide the historical perspective of this drug (When was it discovered, who discovered it, was it always legal or was it always illegal etc)

Discovery & legality:

For over a thousand years South American indigenous peoples have chewed the leaves of Erythroxylon coca, a plant that contains vital nutrients as well as numerous alkaloids, including cocaine.

Spanish people discovered it in 14th century. When the Spanish arrived in South America, most at first ignored aboriginal claims that the leaf gave them strength and energy, but after discovering that these claims were true, they legalized and taxed the leaf, taking 10% off the value of each crop.

In the USA, cocaine is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. It is available in a liquid preparation for use in hospitals or medical/surgical centers, but is not available for prescription. In US, cocaine is legal only for health use purposes in medical, otherwise it is illegal.

Give the effects of the drug on the body, provide both the positive and the negative effects.

Positive effects:

The sensations that come from cocaine use include a boost of energy, a sense of heightened awareness, sense of confidence, the ability to perform tasks quickly and effectively.

Negative effects:

• Restlessness, paranoia
• euphoria feelings in brain
• disturbances in heart rhythm
• headaches,
• chest pain
• respiratory failure
• strokes
• stomach pain and nausea
• heart attacks
• seizures

When attempting to ameliorate the consequences of this drug how is this accomplished

Consequences of this drug can be ameliorated only by its usage in medical industry and under a supervision of doctor. In that case it could be accomplished by using this drug as a :

(1)Using during procedures involving the upper respiratory tract.

(2)Using cocaine to shrink the mucosa or mucous membranes.

(2)Using as an effective local anesthetic that works by blocking nerve impulses.