Drug
A drug is any substance that can be used to treat an illness, relieve a symptom or modify a chemical process in the body for a specific purpose.
The term is necessarily a vague one, being defined by intent: for example, foods consumed for normal metabolism are not generally considered "drugs", but the same foods consumed for a more specific purpose (such as the use of alcohol as a depressant or caffeine as a stimulant) may be.
Opiates are also used as recreational drugs. They are addictive.
Acetaminophen and other non-opiate painkillers are often used in drug mixes for recreational purposes.
- Recreational drugs (to alter mood or body function for recreation).
- Performance-enhancing drugs (for sport or combat).
Many enhancing drugs are also used for recreational purposes.
Regulations
Usage of most of drugs is regulated to some extent.
While details vary with location, these are somewhat usual regulations:
Not regulated:
Regulated to some extent (age or labeling requirements, for example) but available over the counter:
Prescription drugs, prohibited for non-medical use:
Varies from tolerated to prohibited for medical use:
Varies from prohibited for non-medical use to prohibited for any use
Prohibited for any use, no medical uses currently allowed
UN Documents
Three international UN treaties regulate drugs laws:
- UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs from 1961, see http://www.incb.org/e/conv/1961/index.htm
- UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances from 1971, see http://www.incb.org/e/conv/1971/index.htm
- UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances from 1988, see http://www.incb.org/e/conv/1988/index.htm
The UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (http://www.undcp.org/) is charged with overseeing these treaties and maintains a list of signatory nations at http://www.undcp.org/treaty_adherence.html.
See also
Drug addiction, medication, narcotic, illegal drug trade, route of administration, 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act
In ancient Vedic Hinduism, the Drugs are a class of demons.
In the fiction by J. R. R. Tolkien, the Drûg or Drúedain are a race of Men from Middle-earth.
Referenced By
Acute pain | Bilirubin | Chronic pain | Contraband | Drug/Narcotics | Haemolysis | Healthcare treatment | Hemolysis | Illicit drug | List of items for which possession is restricted | List of medical topics | Narcosis | Narcotic | Narcotics | Neurotransmitter | Nociception | Pain | Pain Management | Physical pain | Physiological pain | Therapy
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