Cocaine, Hallucinogens, Inhalants & Health Education
Difference Between Cocaine and Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine is the street name for a form of cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride into crystals that can be smoked. Rather than requiring the use of the more volatile method of processing cocaine using ether, crack cocaine is treated with ammonia or baking soda and water and heated to remove the hydrochloride. This results in a form of cocaine that can be smoked.
Potential for Cocaine Dependence
Medical documentation ensures that cocaine does *not* produce physical dependence; however, psychological dependence is high. Anxiety and depression can last from several days to two weeks.
Main Effects of Hallucinogens in the Body
The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend on the amount taken, the user’s personality, mood, expectations, and the environment in which the drug is used. Usually, the first effects are felt 30 to 90 minutes after taking it. The physical effects include dilated pupils, increased body temperature, increased heart rate, loss of appetite, dry mouth, sweating, and tremors.
General Considerations About Inhalants and Volatile Substances
The increasing abuse of solvents is a recent phenomenon, which is concerning because it affects children and can lead to severe psychological dependence. The popular term “glue sniffing” is too restrictive, as the problem reaches the inhalation of many household substances, from paint to gasoline, lighters, or sprays of hairspray. It would therefore be more accurate to call it abuse of solvents or volatile substances. The most common effects of consumption may be drunken and antisocial behavior. Although it is usually a passing phase, solvent abuse can cause serious health problems and even accidental deaths.
Types of Health Education
There are two main models for health education: traditional and critical.
- Traditional models place responsibility for behavior on the individual, considering individual biological or behavioral factors as determinants of health.
- Critical models, besides the individual, also consider social, cultural, and economic factors as determinants of health.
Most importantly, the integrative model is part of a pragmatic consideration, which tries to unite the ideas and efforts of all models to establish a modification of the population’s behavior based on the change of attitudes and positive health habits.
Difference Between Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention
- Primary prevention: Targets the general population, viewing the consumer as not posing a specific risk. It focuses on health promotion and prevention of substance use.
- Secondary prevention: Includes specific and non-specific programs for at-risk populations.
- Tertiary prevention: Involves detoxification treatments and rehabilitation programs for consumers.
Means of Assistance in the Elaboration of Intervention Programs
- Schools: We must create new attitudes, knowledge, and positive health habits in children and youth, depending on the different stages, to foster growth and development, encouraging self-responsibility for their health.
- Work Environment: Employees must have knowledge of environmental risks generated from their jobs, helping to prevent them. This includes information campaigns and inspection of enterprises and entrepreneurs for the study of working conditions, as well as the treatment and hiring of people who have overcome drug addiction. Family influences and the relationship between the workplace and drug use should always be considered.