Illicit drugs
Illicit Drugs
Illicit drugs (pronunciation: /ɪˈlɪsɪt drʌgz/), also known as illegal drugs or street drugs, are substances that are prohibited by law for production, sale, or use. The etymology of the term "illicit" comes from the Latin word "illicitus", meaning "not allowed, unlawful".
Types of Illicit Drugs
There are several types of illicit drugs, including but not limited to:
- Cocaine: A powerful stimulant drug derived from the coca plant. It is often used recreationally for its euphoric effects.
- Heroin: An opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of certain varieties of poppy plants.
- Methamphetamine: A highly addictive and illegal psychostimulant drug that affects the central nervous system.
- Cannabis: Also known as marijuana, it is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant used for medical or recreational purposes.
- Ecstasy: A synthetic, psychoactive drug possessing stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Also known as MDMA.
Health Risks
Illicit drugs pose significant health risks, including addiction, physical harm, and mental health issues. Some of these risks include:
- Addiction: A chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.
- Overdose: Taking too much of a drug, leading to a toxic reaction or death.
- Mental Health Disorders: Illicit drug use can lead to a variety of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
Legal Consequences
The use, possession, or sale of illicit drugs can result in legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and a criminal record. Laws vary by country and state, and can include:
- Drug Trafficking: The global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of substances subject to drug prohibition laws.
- Drug Possession: The crime of having one or more illegal drugs in one's possession, either for personal use, distribution, sale, or otherwise.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Illicit drugs
- Wikipedia's article - Illicit drugs
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski