The Gateway Drugs

The three most widely used mind-altering drugs are alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. They are referred to as the GATEWAY DRUGS, the gateway to all other drug use. They were previously considered as “safe” or “soft” drugs. Alcohol and / or marijuana are almost always the first drugs used and the first drugs that a person becomes dependent on. If these drugs are never used other drug use is highly unlikely. Although it is not generally one of the first drugs tried, Dr. Robert DuPont includes cocaine as a gateway drug because its false “safe image” has catapulted this most addictive of all drugs to the third most frequently used drug in out country. The national 1 – 800 – COCAINE helpline found that 93% of cocaine users first used marijuana, 75% of adults who have used marijuana 100 times or more have tried cocaine, and 80% of cocaine users report having 5 or more drinks in a row 2 weeks before interview.

ALCOHOL

About 65% of Americans over 18 drink alcohol, and 26% of Americans from 12 to 17years old are regular alcohol drinkers. It is higher in some African countries. Alcohol is used as a relaxant and is associated with social gatherings and “good times”. Although it is the only drug which does not cause a dependency in self-medicate with it to “forget” their troubles and ease the stress of living, and then become dependent on it. Even though it is a legal, socially acceptable drug, it is the leading drug of abuse, is addictive for many people, and has many untoward side effects.

Rate of Absorption: The rate of alcohol absorption is affected by a drinker’s body weight, amount and type of food in the stomach, the number of drinks and time span in which they are consumed, the drink’s dilution, the type of mixer used, and other minor factors. Women, small people, and young people experience a faster and more profound effect than large men. People who have just learned to use alcohol need less alcohol to experience a high than “seasoned” drinkers, whose bodies have built up to tolerance to the drug.

The alcohol content in a 12 oz. can of beer is the same as that of one 5.oz. glass of wine, or one and a half ounces of 80 proof liquor (an average mixed drink). It takes the human body one hour per drink to burn up the alcohol in it. Neither coffee, long walks, nor cold showers will speed the excretion of alcohol from the system.

 

 

Cynic Guru’s “Drugs” music video – 1st single from American-Icelandic alternative/prog/rock band Cynic Guru’s first cd entitled “ICELAND”. Directed by Bardi Johannsson. From the SENA label (Iceland), FAT NORTHERNER RECORDS label (UK), and the WESTWOOD record label (Japan).

 

Bolivia cuts coca cultivation: What about cocaine?

Filed under: drug use cocaine

… States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) out of Bolivia. At the center of the problem has been the coca leaf: It has long held religious and cultural significance for indigenous Andean peoples, but it is also the raw material used to produce …
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Teen cocaine use plummets in Arizona

Filed under: drug use cocaine

Mowery also said while it's encouraging that cocaine use among teens is down, there is movement in the other direction on other drugs, including marijuana, prescriptions drugs, hallucinogens, ecstasy and heroin. And even with tough state and federal …
Read more on KTAR.com

 

Pub owner faces bashing, drug charges

Filed under: drug use cocaine

A pub owner who is in custody for allegedly viciously bashing his partner has now also faced court for cocaine trafficking and other serious drug offences. David Anthony O'Brien, 51, from Deakin is accused of trafficking cocaine between 2003 and August …
Read more on ABC Online