Narcoreader project aimed at developing fast and accurate methods for the detection of illicit drugs in-the-field, to address the negative effects of drug trafficking and abuse on human health and worldwide economy. Given the sometimes complex composition of drugs street samples and biological samples (such as saliva from drugs users) strategies have been developed to … Continue reading Narcoreader main findings
Harmful effects of drug consumption and addiction – amphetamine type stimulants
Amphetamine type stimulants are a class of drugs mainly referring to amphetamine and methamphetamine, but other drugs are also included in this group, for example MDMA (Ecstasy), MDEA, MDA, methcathinone, methylphenidate ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Although the use in America and Europe has somewhat decreased, the use is rising in East Asian countries, in particular in … Continue reading Harmful effects of drug consumption and addiction – amphetamine type stimulants
Harmful effects of drug consumption and addiction – heroin
Heroin is a very addictive drug obtained by synthesis from morphine, a substance that is naturally occurring in the seed of the opium poppy plants, which grow in Mexico, South America and Southeast Asia. Pure heroin is a white powder with a bitter taste. Although purer heroin appears as white powder, white powder doesn’t necessarily … Continue reading Harmful effects of drug consumption and addiction – heroin
Harmful effects of drug consumption and addiction – cocaine
Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug. Inhabitants of South America were chewing or ingesting coca leaves (the plant source of cocaine) for their stimulant effects. As a street drug cocaine appears as a white, fine powder, paste or rock-like, and is often diluted with non-active compounds (starch, flower, glucose, talcum) or adulterated with substances with … Continue reading Harmful effects of drug consumption and addiction – cocaine
Harmful effects of drug consumption and addiction- cannabis and cannabinoids
Cannabis is the most used drug in Europe and in the US. The dried leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant are commonly known as marijuana. Marijuana contains the chemical THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocanabinol), responsible for the “high” effects, and other similar compounds. It produces feelings of euphoria and relaxation, and temporary lack of memory and attention, … Continue reading Harmful effects of drug consumption and addiction- cannabis and cannabinoids
Understanding drug abuse and addiction
Drug abuse refers to continuous use or misuse of certain substances (legal or illegal drugs) in order to obtain pleasurable effects on the brain. Drugs of abuse are usually psychoactive drugs that one may choose initially to take because of the way it makes them feel (for example increased confidence, less inhibited, relaxed, less stressed), … Continue reading Understanding drug abuse and addiction
Narcoreader - Drug abuse awareness 