Drug Classification and Harms

Question 1

What is a drug?

Answer 1

A chemical which, when taken, produces physiological changes

Question 2

In the UK, what regulates pharmaceuticals?

Answer 2

MHRA Medicines Act

Question 3

In the UK, what regulates recreational drugs?

Answer 3

Home Office’s Misuse of Drugs Act (1971)

Question 4

State 4 classes of illegal drugs

Answer 4

Depressants, stimulants, psychedelics, cannabis

Question 5

What is the maximum penalty for possessing a class A drug?

Answer 5

7 years

Question 6

What is the maximum penalty for possessing a class C drug?

Answer 6

2 years

Question 7

Name at least 4 class A drugs

Answer 7

Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, LSD, psilocybin

Question 8

Name 4 class B drugs

Answer 8

Amphetamines, barbiturates, ketamine, cannabis

Question 9

Name at least 4 class C drugs

Answer 9

Benzodiazepines, GHB, buprenorphine, steroids, growth hormone, clenbuterol

Question 10

Can cannabis be prescribed in the UK?

Answer 10

No - November 2018 legislation permits medical use but it cannot be prescribed

Question 11

Give 3 causes of drug harms

Answer 11

The drug itself, the route of use, and drug addiction

Question 12

What is the most common cause of anthrax in the UK

Answer 12

Injecting heroin

Question 13

How many smokers die of smoking-related diseases?

Answer 13

Half

Question 14

How many deaths occur per million heroin users?

Answer 14

20,000

Question 15

How many deaths occur per million cocaine users?

Answer 15

170

Question 16

What proportion of heroin users die of a drug overdose?

Answer 16

1 in 50

Question 17

State at least 3 possible consequences of acute drug toxicity

Answer 17

Respiratory depression, hyperthermia, hypothermia, hyponatraemia, cardiac symptoms, hepatitis

Question 18

Which drugs cause respiratory depression?

Answer 18

Opioids, benzodiazepines

Question 19

Which drugs cause hyperthermia?

Answer 19

Stimulants, e.g. MDMA

Question 20

Which drugs cause hyponatraemia?

Answer 20

MDMA

Question 21

Which drugs cause hepatitis?

Answer 21

MDMA

Question 22

Which drugs cause cardiac symptoms?

Answer 22

Cocaine, amphetamine

Question 23

How many young people in the UK die of alcohol poisoning every week?

Answer 23

3

Question 24

What percentage of make deaths between 16 and 44 are due to alcohol?

Answer 24

Over 20%

Question 25

What percentage of liver disease cases are due to alcohol?

Answer 25

80%

Question 26

How much has alcohol consumption increased over the past 40 years?

Answer 26

It has doubled

Question 27

Give a piece of evidence against a link between cannabis and schizophrenia

Answer 27

Cannabis use has increased 20x over the past 40 years, but the incidence of schizophrenia has remained relatively stable

Question 28

Which drugs cause confusion?

Answer 28

Depressants, especially ketamine

Question 29

Which drugs cause paranoia?

Answer 29

Cocaine, amphetamine, cannabis

Question 30

Which drug causes bladder damage with chronic use?

Answer 30

Ketamine

Question 31

Give 3 types of neurological damage caused by alcohol

Answer 31

Peripheral neuropathy, Wernicke's encephalopathy, Krosakoff's psychosis (all B1 deficiency)

Question 32

Using the ICSD drug harms model, name the 3 most harmful drugs

Answer 32

Alcohol, heroin, crack cocaine