“Drug Abuse & Mental Health”

LAW Yiu Kwun

Advanced Practice Nurse (Psy.)

Substance Abuse Clinic,

Kowloon Hospital, H. K.

“Drug Abuse & Mental Health”

According to the 58th Report (1999-2008)of “Central Registry of Drug Abuse” (CRDA),

Narcotics Division, Security Bureau, Hong Kong S.A.R.

Reported Drug Abusers (DA):

2007 : 13 5912008 : 14 175 (↑4.3%)

All reported drug abusers

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

year

No.

1數列

“Drug Abuse & Mental Health”

Rising trend for young DA ( ＜ 21’) 2008 : 3 430 An increase of 51% in 3 years Total number of reported DA only ↑0.4%

An worrying rising trend!

Reported drug abusers by age group

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Year

No.of

pers

on

Aged 21andaboveAged under21

“Drug Abuse & Mental Health”

2008 :

Heroin Abusers : 7 243

Psychotropic substance Abusers : 8 306

Reported drug abusers of psychotropic substances and opiates

0

5000

10000

15000

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Year

No. o

f pers

ons

Opiates

Psychotropic Substances

“Drug Abuse & Mental Health”

Major Types of Psychotropic Substances:KetamineMethylamphetamine (Ice)Triazolam/Midazolam/ZopicloneEcstasyCannabisCocaineCough Mixture

Reported drug abusers with type of drugs reported (2008)

ketamine

M-Amp. (ice)

Triazolam/Midazolam/Zopiclone

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Cannabis

Cocaine

Cough Medicine

“Drug Abuse & Mental Health”

Ketamine氯胺酮K K 仔仔

Ketamine

分離式麻醉藥(Dissociative anesthetic)

KetamineImmediate effect

Blurred vision Impaired motor coordination Slurred speech ‘near death’ experience

Urology, cardio, pulmonary problem Impaired long-term memory and cognitive

functioning

Psychological effects Euphoria and relaxation Feeling of dissociation Hallucinations and distorted sensory Disorganized thoughts Anxiety, agitation, paranoia Panic

Methamphetamine( 冰毒 )

Street names : ice, speed, fast

“psychostimulants”

-speed up the messages going to and from the brain to the body

Immediate Effects Speed up bodily functions:

-breathing, heart rate, ↑BP, sweating, -enlargement of pupils

Reduced appetite

More energy and alertness:-feel energetic and full of confidence-alert, talkative, restless and excited-difficulty sleeping

Psychological effects

“Amphetamine Psychosis”

-paranoid delusion

-hallucinations : visual, audio, tactile

-bizarre aggressive or violent behaviour

Triazolam/Midazolam/Zopiclone

( 三唑侖 /咪達唑侖 /佐匹克隆 )

白瓜子 , 藍精靈

Sedative Hypnotics

Effect Muscle weakness Sexual problem Menstrual irregularities Lethargy and lack of motivation Drowsy and sleepiness Dependence

Psychological effects Personality change Anxiety Irritability Paranoia Aggression Depression

EcstasyMethylenedioxymethamphetamine

(MDMA)

搖頭丸 Fing 頭 E 仔 狂喜

•1950 Laboratory use

•1960/70 Happies

•1976 USA Pychologist – “empathy agent” )

•1980/90 Rave party

Immediate Effects

Dilated pupils Heightened sensation Jaw clenching, teeth grinding Increased heart rate / BP/Temp. Sweating Poor muscle control

Psychological effects

Increased confidence and energy Loss of inhibition Feeling of well being Feeling of closeness to others Anxiety Pananoia, agression and psychosis

Cannabis( 大麻 )

A depressant drug

-not make you feel depressed

-but, slow down the activity of CNS

Major chemical :

Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

-psychoactive agent

Immediate Effects

↑ heart rate, ↓BP Reddened eyes ↓coordination and balance Feel relaxed, less inhibited Affect vision and perception of time and

space Affect memory, confused and disoriented

Cocaine( 可卡因

Street names : “Coke”, 可樂 , “Crack”

The most common form is

“Cocaine hydrochloride”

-a white, crystalline powder with a bitter, numbing taste

Immediate Effects

Dilated pupils ↑Body Temp, heart rate & BP More awake & no need for sleep Euphoria, pleasure ↑libido Anxiety, paranoia, agitation

Long-term effects

Insomnia, exhaustion Eating disorder Hypertension and irregular heart beat Cerebral atrophy Anxiety, paranoia Depression Hallucinations

Cough Medicine( 咳藥 )

Cough Mixture or Cough Syrup ( 咳藥水 )

Long term overdose

Dental problem Respiratory depression Constipation Loss of appetite Dizziness Depression

Thank you!