1. Opium Drug inOpium Drug in
AfghanistanAfghanistan
By: Taylor Gerhart and KarolynBy: Taylor Gerhart and Karolyn
GonzGonzálezález

2. What is Drug Addiction?What is Drug Addiction?
 Drug Addiction is characterized by compulsive, at timesDrug Addiction is characterized by compulsive, at times
uncontrollable, drug craving. It is a disorder of the brain causeduncontrollable, drug craving. It is a disorder of the brain caused
by the use of psychoactive drugs. One who is dependent onby the use of psychoactive drugs. One who is dependent on
drugs has experienced these during the past year:drugs has experienced these during the past year:
 1. A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance;1. A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance;
 2. Difficulties in controlling substance-taking behavior in terms2. Difficulties in controlling substance-taking behavior in terms
of its onset, termination, or levels of use;of its onset, termination, or levels of use;
 3. A physiological 3. A physiological withdrawalwithdrawal state when substance use has state when substance use has
ceased or been reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristicceased or been reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic
withdrawal syndrome for the substance; or use of the same (or awithdrawal syndrome for the substance; or use of the same (or a
closely related) substance with the intention of relieving orclosely related) substance with the intention of relieving or
avoiding withdrawal symptomsavoiding withdrawal symptoms

3. How does drug addiction affect theHow does drug addiction affect the
functioning of the brain?functioning of the brain?
 A drug-dependent person may experience cravings forA drug-dependent person may experience cravings for
the drug and difficulty in controlling its consumption,the drug and difficulty in controlling its consumption,
suffer from suffer from withdrawal symptomswithdrawal symptoms when use of the drug when use of the drug
is reduced or discontinued, and need increasing is reduced or discontinued, and need increasing dosesdoses
of the drug to feel its effects. of the drug to feel its effects.
 Psychoactive drugs affect communication betweenPsychoactive drugs affect communication between
brain brain cellscells in certain regions of the brain. For instance, in certain regions of the brain. For instance,
some drugs mimic and others block the effects ofsome drugs mimic and others block the effects of
molecules that carry specific messages from one brain molecules that carry specific messages from one brain
cellcell to another. to another.

4. How do different types of drugs act inHow do different types of drugs act in
the brain?the brain?
 The most common psychoactive drugs can be dividedThe most common psychoactive drugs can be divided
into four groups:into four groups:
 Depressants: diminish the activity of the centralDepressants: diminish the activity of the central
nervous system, such as alcoholnervous system, such as alcohol
 Stimulants: increase the activity of the central nervousStimulants: increase the activity of the central nervous
system, such as cocaine, ecstasy, and nicotinesystem, such as cocaine, ecstasy, and nicotine
 Opioids: relieve pain, dull the senses, and induce sleep,Opioids: relieve pain, dull the senses, and induce sleep,
such as morphine and heroinesuch as morphine and heroine
 Hallucinogens: can distort perceptions to induceHallucinogens: can distort perceptions to induce
delusions or hallucinations, such as LSDdelusions or hallucinations, such as LSD

5. Origin of OpiumOrigin of Opium
 Opium poppy was first cultivated in lowerOpium poppy was first cultivated in lower
Mesopotamia (Southwest Asia) in 3,400 B.CMesopotamia (Southwest Asia) in 3,400 B.C
 The Sumerians referred to it asThe Sumerians referred to it as Hul Gil-Hul Gil- which meanswhich means
“joy plant”“joy plant”
 The Sumerians passed it on to the Assyrians, who thenThe Sumerians passed it on to the Assyrians, who then
passed it on to the Egyptians.passed it on to the Egyptians.
 It’s cultivation spread along the Silk Road, from theIt’s cultivation spread along the Silk Road, from the
Mediterranean through Asia and finally to China whereMediterranean through Asia and finally to China where
it was Catalyst for the Opium Wars of the mid- 1800sit was Catalyst for the Opium Wars of the mid- 1800s

6. ““Street Names in Afghanistan”Street Names in Afghanistan”
 Big OBig O
 OPOP
 HopHop
 Midnight OilMidnight Oil
 TarTar
 DopeDope

7. What are the specific effects ofWhat are the specific effects of
Opium?Opium?
 Opium has destroyed the lives of millions of people over the centuries.Opium has destroyed the lives of millions of people over the centuries.
 The damaging effects of opium are:The damaging effects of opium are:
 Increased tolerance-Increased tolerance- means that the addict will need to take more of the drug tomeans that the addict will need to take more of the drug to
get the same effectget the same effect
 High risk of overdose and deathHigh risk of overdose and death
 Withdrawal symptomsWithdrawal symptoms
 Inability to take care of social and family responsibilitiesInability to take care of social and family responsibilities
 Loss of interest in other activitiesLoss of interest in other activities
 Poor personal hygienePoor personal hygiene
 Paranoia and confusionParanoia and confusion
 Mood SwingsMood Swings
 DepressionDepression
 AnxietyAnxiety
 Loss of weightLoss of weight

8. What are the statistics of Opium useWhat are the statistics of Opium use
among teens?among teens?

9. Medical uses for OpiumMedical uses for Opium
 Throughout this time Opium has been used as an effective painThroughout this time Opium has been used as an effective pain
killerkiller
 Many modern analgesic drugs come from the opium poppy.Many modern analgesic drugs come from the opium poppy.
 Morphine- type drugs come from OpiumMorphine- type drugs come from Opium
 People in Afghanistan will smoke, inject or orally ingest opiumPeople in Afghanistan will smoke, inject or orally ingest opium
because it helps them experience:because it helps them experience:
 Feelings of well- beingFeelings of well- being
 Feelings of relaxation and warmthFeelings of relaxation and warmth
 A pleasurable pain and discomfortA pleasurable pain and discomfort
 Lack of inhibitionsLack of inhibitions
 EuphoriaEuphoria

10. What are the detrimental long termWhat are the detrimental long term
effects on the body caused by Opiumeffects on the body caused by Opium
abuse?abuse?
 It all depends on the method by which it isIt all depends on the method by which it is
consumedconsumed
 Those who inject opium: develops collapsed veinsThose who inject opium: develops collapsed veins
and increase their risk of infecting their heart valvesand increase their risk of infecting their heart valves
 Intramuscular consumers: frequently developIntramuscular consumers: frequently develop
abscesses, among other problemsabscesses, among other problems
 Those who smoke or eat the drug: will expect toThose who smoke or eat the drug: will expect to
quickly deteriorate a large number of vital organs.quickly deteriorate a large number of vital organs.

11. What are the effects of withdraw?What are the effects of withdraw?
 The body can start craving for more opium hours after your last dose. If you don't getThe body can start craving for more opium hours after your last dose. If you don't get
more opium quickly, your body starts craving the drug, you become restless and cold,more opium quickly, your body starts craving the drug, you become restless and cold,
and you start feeling physical pain. These symptoms are at their worst after two toand you start feeling physical pain. These symptoms are at their worst after two to
three days and almost ensure that you go back to using the drug.three days and almost ensure that you go back to using the drug.
 The most common opium withdrawal symptoms include:The most common opium withdrawal symptoms include:
 CrampsCramps
 DepressionDepression
 AnxietyAnxiety
 InsomniaInsomnia
 SweatsSweats
 ShakingShaking
 Nausea and vomitingNausea and vomiting
 Stomach crampsStomach cramps
 DiarrheaDiarrhea
 Mood SwingsMood Swings