Substance Misuse
A Growing Problem
Tackling the growing occurrences of substance misuse in terms of both the misusers and the suppliers is a priority not only for the UK government but for governments all over the world. To that end there have been a number of laws implemented within the UK, which control the manufacture and supply of medicinal drugs (Medicines Act 1968) and also prevent the misuse of non-medicinal drugs (Misuse of Drugs act 1971)..
Whether medicinal or non-medicinal, a “drug” is defined as any substance that is used to modify a chemical process or processes in the body. Drugs can be used to treat an illness (medicinal) or used recreationally to alter states of mind (non-medicinal).
Recreational (non-medicinal) drug use comprise mainly of psychoactive drugs, these are drugs that affect the brain to produce alterations in mood, thinking, perception and behaviour. They exert their effects on the body in four ways either; depressing the nervous system, stimulating the nervous system, reducing pain or altering perceptual function. Some drugs may even exert two or more effects simultaneously; of which long term (and in some cases short term) exposure too is detrimental for the individual.
