4 Types of popular narcotics in Indonesia and their dangers to the body: function, dosage, side effects, how to use them

Drugs (narcotics and illegal drugs) are substances / substances that can affect a person's mental / psychological condition (thoughts, feelings and behavior) and can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Drugs are divided into 4 groups, namely groups Cannabis, Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) , Opiad and Tranquilizer .

Cannabis = marijuana / ganja and hasish (cannabis sap)
ATS = amphetamine, ecstasy, catinone and methamphetamine (methamphetamine)
Opiad = heroin (putau), morphine, opium, pethidine, codeine, subutek / subuxon and methadone
Tranquilizer = luminal, nipam, koplo pills, mogadon, valium, camlet, dumolid, cocaine and ketamine

According to the National Narcotics Agency, the types of narcotics most often consumed in Indonesia are marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy and heroin.

The most popular type of narcotics in Indonesia

1. Marijuana

Other name: cimeng, marijuana, gele, pocong

Marijuana is a word used to describe the dried flowers, stems, seeds and leaves of the cannabis plant, Cannabis sativa, plants that contain common sense modifying substances delta-9 tetrahydrocannabiol (THC) and other related compounds.

Marijuana is a narcotic that is most commonly used throughout the world, including Indonesia. The results of a survey by the National Narcotics Agency found that there were 956,002 people using cannabis at the worker level, 565,598 students, and 460,039 households.

People use dry cannabis / marijuana by sticking it in a cigarette roll or down a pipe (bong). They also occasionally empty tobacco on cigarettes and fill it with marijuana. In order to avoid the smoke produced, many people use a vaporizer which is also known as a bong. This tool can draw active substances, including THC from marijuana and collect steam in the storage unit. A person using this type of narcotics will then inhale the vapors, not the fumes.

Short-term effects of marijuana

When someone smokes marijuana, THC will quickly pass through the lungs into the bloodstream. Blood will carry these chemicals to the brain and other organs throughout the body. The body will absorb THC more slowly when there is eating or drinking activity. Therefore, in general, users will feel the effect after 30 minutes to 1 hour after use.

THC acts on certain brain cell receptors which normally react to natural substances similar to THC in the brain. These substances have a role in brain development and function. Marijuana will impose the function of the part of the brain that contains the highest number of these receptors. This will cause the user to feel " high And experienced several other effects, such as:

Change awareness of time
Mood swings
Body movements are disturbed
Trouble thinking and solving problems
Impaired memory

Long-term effects of marijuana

When a person uses marijuana, he will feel a decrease in thinking power, memory, and learning functions and affect brain performance. Marijuana's effect on these problems will be lasting or even permanent.

In addition, if used long-term and at high doses, marijuana can also cause physical and mental effects such as:

Respiratory disorders. Marijuana smoke can cause irritation to the lungs which can lead to coughing with phlegm, lung disease and lung infections.
Increase heart rate. Marijuana can increase heart rate after 3 hours of smoking. This can lead to a heart attack.
Trouble in babies. Cannabis use during pregnancy can affect the brain and behavior of the baby.
Hallucinations, paranoia and irregular thinking.
Prolonged use of marijuana can affect a person's mental health.

2. Shabu

Other name: meth, methamphetamine, crystal, lime, ice

Methamphetamine or what we usually know as shabu is a highly addictive stimulant drug, which is chemically similar to amphetamine. It is white, odorless, bitter and crystalline. The BNN survey results show that methamphetamine is the second most commonly consumed narcotic by the public, namely 419,448 workers, 151,548 students and 189,799 households.

Shabu can be consumed by eating, put in cigarettes, smoked and dissolved with water or alcohol, then injected into the body. Smoking or injecting methamphetamine can have a very quick effect on the brain and will result in intense euphoria. Because the euphoria can fade quickly, users often wear it over and over again.

Short-term effects of methamphetamine

As a strong stimulant, even small doses of methamphetamine can increase insomnia and decrease appetite. Shabu can also cause heart problems, including fast heartbeats, irregular heartbeats, and increased blood pressure.

Shabu can also increase the amount the neurotransmitter dopamine which leads to high levels of chemicals in the brain. Dopamine is involved in the motor function of pleasure and motivation. The ability of methamphetamine to release dopamine into the brain is so rapid that it will produce a sudden and brief euphoria, so the user will continue to increase the dose.

In general, here are the short-term effects of methamphetamine:

Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Euphoria and rashness
Fast and irregular heartbeat
Hyperthermia

Long-lasting methamphetamine effects

Long-term abuse of methamphetamine can cause many negative effects such as chronic addiction accompanied by functional and molecular changes in the brain. Tolerance of the excitement effect of methamphetamine will appear when used repeatedly. Users will always take higher doses to get the desired effect, so that their life will be tied to the drug. When they don't consume methamphetamine, they will get symptoms of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and a strong desire to take drugs.

Additionally, methamphetamine use has been shown to have a negative impact on non-nerve brain cells called microglia. These cells support brain health by protecting the brain from infectious agents and removing damaged neurons. If there is damage to these cells then this can increase a person having a stroke which can cause permanent damage to the brain. A recent study has even shown a higher incidence of Parkinson's disorder among former meth users.

The following are the long-term physical and mental effects of methamphetamine:

Addiction
Psychological effects such as paranoia, hallucinations, and repetitive motor activity
Changes in brain structure and function
Decreased thinking and motor skills
Lack of concentration
Memory loss
Aggressive or violent behavior
Mood disturbances
Serious dental problems
Loss of weight

3. Ecstasy

Other name: E, X, XTC, inex

Ecstasy is a common name for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Ecstasy is a synthetic chemical with a complex effect that mimics the stimulants of methamphetamine and hallucinogenic compounds. Ecstasy was originally patented by the German pharmaceutical company, Merck, in 1910 and was used as a drug to improve mood and diet.

However, in 1985, the US Drug Enforcement (DEA) banned the use of this drug because of its potential as a brain-damaging agent. According to the National Narcotics Agency, methamphetamine is the third most frequently consumed narcotics with 302,444 workers, 140,614 households and 106,704 students.

Short-term effects of ecstasy

Users will usually feel the effects of ecstasy 30 minutes after consuming it. Some of the short-term effects of ecstasy include:

Decreased appetite
Insomnia
Dizziness and fever
Muscle cramp
Tremor
Cold sweats
Blurry vision
Increased heart rate
Blood pressure increases
Tense mouth, face and chin

Long-term effects of ecstasy

Researchers believe that ecstasy can cause serotonin leakage in the brain during its use. Without the proper functioning of neurotransmitters, conditions such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and memory loss are more likely to occur. This condition can last for a long time, even after use has ended.

The following are the long-term psychological and physical effects of ecstasy:

Increase addiction
Panic attack
Insomnia
Dazed
Not able to distinguish between reality and fantasy
Paranoid delusions
Depression

4. Heroin

Other name: putaw, powder, etep

Heroin or putaw is a highly addictive narcotic processed from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seeds of certain varieties of poppy plants. Heroin is usually sold as a white or brownish powder that has been mixed with sugar, starch, powdered milk or quinine. Pure heroin is a very bitter white powder and usually comes from South America.

There are also black tar heroin is a sticky and hard form, usually produced in Mexico and sold in America on the western Mississippi River 3. The dark color comes from a mixture of heroin and black tar leftover from the crude oil processing method. According to the BNN survey, Heroin is the fourth most consumed type of narcotics, with 33,358 household users, 32,782 workers and 29,838 students.

Heroin is usually used smoked, put in cigarettes or liquefied by heating it over a spoon and then injected into a vein, muscle, or under the skin.

Short-term heroin effects

Once heroin enters the brain, it turns into morphine and binds rapidly to opiad receptors. The user usually feels the sensation of excitement in a rush. However, the intensity of joy that the user feels depends on the number of drugs consumed.

Following are the short-term effects of heroin:

Fever
Dry mouth
Nausea
Itchy
Heart function slows down
Breathing slows down
Permanent brain damage
Coma

Long-term heroin effects

Narcotics can change the physical structure and physiology of the brain, which can cause the nervous system and hormones to become imbalanced for a long time. Research shows that heroin-induced brain damage can influence people's decisions, behavior, and responses to stressful situations.

In addition, here are the long-term effects of heroin on the body: