The lastest reports from the Observatoire Français des Drogues et des Toxicomanies (OFDT) have shown that France was amongst the countries which consumed the most narcotics in Europe. It is imperative that this behavior, which has grave consequences and mostly affects youth aged from 12 to 25 – (who make up 69% of daily users), should have an appropriate response.
A wide variety of narcotics are consumed in France, but it is cannabis which is the most consumed illegal substance.
The number of regular users is on the rise.
We should note that drug addiction has evolved into an addiction to various products, mixing together different drugs, medicines and alcohol. Furthermore, we have observed a general trivializing concerning the use of narcotics.
No parent would lend his car to his child knowing he/she has not learnt to drive. It would also be unconscionable to let one’s teenager go out without having taught him/her what drugs are. Nowadays availability of these products is such that youth can procure them in all the places they frequent – educational establishments, parties, class dinners, rallies, sport clubs... Parents must inform themselves objectively and scientifically about the products so to educate their children on drugs and provide them with the arguments to refuse them. Let us remember that drug addiction doesn’t just happen to others!
The half-life of an active substance is the time required by a healthy body, with no previous drug use, to eliminate 50% of the absorbed substance. In the case of cannabis, the half-life is 96 hours or 4 days. This means that within 4 days the body has eliminated 50% of the initial dose. 4 days later, there will be 25% of the product left… Within 28 days, cannabis will be totally eliminated from the body of a person who has not consumed it regularly. Traces of decayed THC may be found in a regular consumer’s body up to 40 days after the last take. According to Dr Chamayou’s thesis, 18 months are needed to be completely cleared of cannabis.
AEROSOLS Nitrous oxide and other pressurized gases such as those contained in whipped cream canisters or computer anti-dust sprays also have hallucinogenic effects. In a few seconds they produce excitement, dizziness, euphoria, loss of consciousness and affect the central nervous system through lack of oxygen. Moreover they are inhaled under pressure and can provoke lung frostbite and vocal chords injuries, (eg. immediately after taking this drug the voice becomes lower.)
POPPERS Volatile nitrites have similar effects to nitrous oxide. Moreover they can provoke panic attacks, heart palpitations and headaches. They are also responsible for deaths by anoxia. They are vasodilators frequently used to relax sphincter muscles. They are carcinogenic and provoke serious immune deficiencies – such as AIDS.
STAIN REMOVER Stain removers are derived from ethylene. They are hallucinogenic but their effect is more calming, unlike poppers and aerosols, which are more stimulating. They cause damage that is neurological (deafness, tremor) and intellectual (dementia).
A joint is made out of pure cannabis or grass; or hashish mixed with tobacco.
Alcohol is a general term, which covers a wide variety of products:
wine, cider, beer, port, cognac, whisky, vodka are types of alcohol with various rates of alcoholic content ranging from 5 to 90 ° (active principles)
Cannabis works the same way: but when we talk about a joint of grass or hashish, there are more than 100 varieties and its T.H.C. rate (active principles) –ranges from 4% to 35% - goes unnoted.alcools aux taux variés de 5 à 90 degrés ( principes actifs)
Drugs are not a disease. The best way to stop them is not to take any. Heroin addicts who achieved withdraw admit that complete abstinence is the only solution. They say it themselves : it is more difficult to withdraw from Subutex (substitution drugs) than from heroin…
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