Question

A group of youth were having a ‘rave party’ in an isolated area and was raided by police. Packets of ‘smack’ and syringes with needles were found littered around.

1. Why is taking ‘smack’ considered an abuse?
2. Write the chemical name of ‘smack’ and the name of its source plant.
3. Syringes and needles used by the youth for taking the drug could prove to be very fatal. Why?

Answer 1

1. Taking smack is considerd as abuse because it is a highly addictive drug. It is a depressant that slows down body functions. It can cause psychological and physical dependence. It causes constipation, nausea/vomiting, lightheadedness, histamine launch, itching, xerostomia, excessive sweating, somnolence (sleepy or perhaps tired sensation), hypotension (reduced blood pressure), inspiration (sense of intensive satisfaction, pleasure, excitement along with joy), and inflammation of the liver organ.
2. Chemical name of smack is diacetylmorphine. Its source plant is Papaver somniferum (poppy).
3. Syringes and needles are used to inject drugs, usually intravenously so that the abusers can have the effects of the drug very quickly and have a stronger effect. This mode of drug administration ensures that higher amounts of the drug are available in the body, increasing the chances of overdose, which has proven fatal in most cases. Chances of addiction are higher in these cases. Infected syringes also predispose the user to catch diseases like AIDS.