Facts About Drug Abuse Ireland
Contents
Page
Preface'
-
1
Drugs and Drug Related Problems Drug Laws 1. Alcohol
2
15
19
2. Solvents
3. Cannabis
4. Tobacco 5. Caffeine
25 29
34 38 41
6. Amphetamines 7. Cocaine
8. LSD 9. Magic Mushrooms
47
51
53 55
10. Sedatives and Minor Tranquillisers 11. Heroin and other Opiates
59
PREFACE
This Third Edition is an extensive revision and updatin of the two earlier versions. New materiakinc~udes information on drugs such as Ice, Ecstasy and Buprenorphine ITem esic81 which have attracted attention or w f i c h have been extensively abused in recent times. Coverage has been extended to topics such as the use of drugs in sport and in the workplace, issues which are of increasing concern both nationally and internationally. The aim of each of the editions of this book has been to provide in a non-technical wa back round information on legal, medicat socia and historical facts about drugs used for non-medical purposes in Ireland. It is not intended to be a definitive study of problem drug-taking in Ireland. There are several reasons why this cannot be a definitive study. Firstlg much of the information i s not availa le, particularly about illegal drug use , sim ly because by its illicit nature it is a h i den activity . Secondly, the drug scene i s constantly c h a n g ~ n, reflecting fashion and the availabifity o f different drugs at any particular time, and these changes are often unpredictable. Thirdly, drug problems are believed to develop from a complex interplay of individual human beings, the drug or drugs they take and the social and political environment in which the dru taking occurs and this publication largey; concentrates on the ways in which the drugs themselves contribute to the development of drug problems. As was the case with the earlier editions, I am indebted to many individuals and groups who generously shared information with me. These include or~anisations diverse as as the International Co fee
Page
Preface'
-
1
Drugs and Drug Related Problems Drug Laws 1. Alcohol
2
15
19
2. Solvents
3. Cannabis
4. Tobacco 5. Caffeine
25 29
34 38 41
6. Amphetamines 7. Cocaine
8. LSD 9. Magic Mushrooms
47
51
53 55
10. Sedatives and Minor Tranquillisers 11. Heroin and other Opiates
59
PREFACE
This Third Edition is an extensive revision and updatin of the two earlier versions. New materiakinc~udes information on drugs such as Ice, Ecstasy and Buprenorphine ITem esic81 which have attracted attention or w f i c h have been extensively abused in recent times. Coverage has been extended to topics such as the use of drugs in sport and in the workplace, issues which are of increasing concern both nationally and internationally. The aim of each of the editions of this book has been to provide in a non-technical wa back round information on legal, medicat socia and historical facts about drugs used for non-medical purposes in Ireland. It is not intended to be a definitive study of problem drug-taking in Ireland. There are several reasons why this cannot be a definitive study. Firstlg much of the information i s not availa le, particularly about illegal drug use , sim ly because by its illicit nature it is a h i den activity . Secondly, the drug scene i s constantly c h a n g ~ n, reflecting fashion and the availabifity o f different drugs at any particular time, and these changes are often unpredictable. Thirdly, drug problems are believed to develop from a complex interplay of individual human beings, the drug or drugs they take and the social and political environment in which the dru taking occurs and this publication largey; concentrates on the ways in which the drugs themselves contribute to the development of drug problems. As was the case with the earlier editions, I am indebted to many individuals and groups who generously shared information with me. These include or~anisations diverse as as the International Co fee