Lecture 2: The demand and supply of illicit drugs Flashcards
(39 cards)
Name a few Drug users (stereotype)
Male
Middle-aged
Addicted
Unemployed
Commits crimes
Violent
Heroin/crack users
What were the most commonly used drugs in the last year according to the Global Drug Survey (GDS) 2017,
The most commonly used drugs in the last year were alcohol, cannabis, and MDMA in that order.
What does “illicit” mean in the context of drugs?
Not in Lecture Slides just good to understand
Illicit drugs are substances that are illegal to possess, use, or distribute under law. Examples include cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
Which 2 European country had the highest prevalence of cannabis use in the last year
France and Spain highest %
With what drug do graphs show the relationship between the type of drug and the likelihood of individuals admitting to its use when testing positive?
that individuals who test positive for marijuana are more likely to admit to its use
How does drug use prevalence differ between males and females in the UK across different time periods?
Males report higher drug use than females across all time periods (lifetime, last year, last month)
Which drug was reported as the most commonly used by 16 to 59 year olds in the UK according to the 2016/17 survey,
Cannabis was the most commonly used drug among 16 to 59 year olds in the UK
Why might heroin not be included in typical drug use surveys like the 2016/17 UK survey?
Heroin users are often challenging to include in standard surveys because they may be highly transient, less likely to engage in surveys, and harder to reach due to their social and physical circumstances
What does EMCDDA mean
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
What is the EMCDDA’s definition of “problem drug use”?
Injecting drug use or long duration / regular use of opioids, cocaine and/or amphetamine
How is the figure for problem drug use prevalence estimated according to the EMCDDA?
The figure is not estimated using surveys but through statistical methods based on official data.
What does the graph indicate about the frequency of use for cannabis, powder cocaine, and ecstasy among adults aged 16 to 59 who took these drugs in the last year?
Which is the most frequent out of the 3
frequent use is most common for cannabis users
Why is Ecstasy considered low?
Not considered frequent consumption on the daily or weekly as associated with festivals and parties - not everyday use
What does the Pareto Rule suggest about drug consumption patterns?
roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes
e.g 80% of a company’s profits come from 20% of its customers
suggests that a small portion of users typically accounts for a large portion of overall drug consumption.
Where a minority of heavy users consume the majority of the supply.
Where do people most commonly obtain NPS or nitrous oxide and other drugs?
the most common sources are friends, neighbors, or colleagues
Which age groups show the highest rates of drug use?
The age groups 16-19 and 20-24 main users
What general trend is observed in drug use among different age groups over time?
There is a general decrease in drug use as age increases
Why are problematic drug users typically older than occasional users?
are usually older because it takes time to develop dependence.
Why does drug use tend to concentrate in urban geographic areas?
Urban areas often have higher concentrations of drug use due to factors like greater availability, higher population densities, and more diverse social networks that can facilitate drug distribution and acquisition.
Do drug users mix drugs ?
Yes - do not consume a single drug, multiple kinds of drugs (with different effect, e.g. heroin and amphetamines)
How can buying drugs impact the time management of drug-dependent users?
the process of acquiring drugs can be time-consuming due to the need to secure funds, contact dealers, and complete transactions, which can interfere with daily responsibilities and employment.
How does drug dependency affect employment?
Drug dependency can make it difficult to maintain a job due to disruptions in daily functioning, attendance issues, and decreased productivity caused by drug effects or the need to acquire drugs.
What is the significance of the maintenance program in what country for heroin users?
In Switzerland, maintenance programs provide controlled access to heroin under medical supervision, helping users maintain normal daily activities,
What is the “Gateway Hypothesis” in drug use?
The Gateway Hypothesis suggests that the use of less harmful drugs like cannabis can lead to the use of more harmful drugs like heroin or cocaine.
