What are psychotropic drugs?

What are psychotropic drugs?

    Apsychotropic drug is a chemical that acts upon the central nervous system resulting in temporary changes in perception, consciousness and behaviour. Apart from their medicinal use, these drugs are often abused for recreational purpose. Physical dependence develops after sustained use and it becomes very difficult to get de-addicted. 

Which are the commonly used psychotropic drugs? According to the UN’s World Drug Report 2012, cannabis is the world’s most widely used illicit substance. In 2010, there were over 224 million people who had used the drug at least once in the past 12 months. With 36 million users, opioids follow cannabis. Opioids is the generic term used for natural as well as synthetic opiates. It is followed by opiates, cocaine, ATS and Ecstasy. Overall, there are over 300 million drug users across the world. Opioids (mainly heroin) are the main problem drugs accounting for maximum treatment demand in Asia and Europe. They also account for considerable treatment demand in Africa, North America and Oceania. South America is the only region where there is negligible opioid treatment demand. 

What are opiates and where are they produced? Morphine, heroin and other psychotropic drugs derived from opium are called opiates. Morphine is an intermediate product and heroin is the end
product. Heroin, which is named after heroisch (German for heroic), because people using it felt heroic, is widely used as a drug for its intense euphoria. Afghanistan produces 89% of the world’s illicit opium, 7% is produced in Myanmar and 4% in the rest of the world. Mexico, Colombia and Peru are the main suppliers in the Americas. For most of the European and Middle Eastern opiates, the starting point is Afghanistan. From there, opiates are smuggled through Iran, Pakistan and the Balkan states to Europe. In the Americas, the main trafficking routes for heroin are from Mexico and Colombia to the US. For Asia and Oceania, Thailand is the main
transit point. The main producers of the region are the Lao republic and Myanmar. 

What is cocaine and where is it produced? Cocaine is a psychotropic drug obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant, giving rise to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased energy. Almost all of the coca leaf is cultivated in three Andean countries of South America - Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. The major entry point to the US is Mexico, and to Europe is Spain and Portugal. West and Central Africa are also emerging as main transit points for European cocaine traffic. They are also used as transit points for the traffic in Oceania and East Asian countries. 

What are cannabis derivatives and where are they produced? Cannabis is a plant that grows virtually everywhere. It is used in three forms: Herbal cannabis (marijuana or ganja), cannabis resin (hashish or charas) and cannabis oil. The major market for herbal cannabis is America, and major suppliers to America are Mexico, Canada, Jamaica and Colombia. Other significant markets are Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. 
 
What are Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS), and where are they produced? Amphetamines, ecstasy (MDMA) and other synthetic stimulants are classified as ATS. These drugs have a strong association with the rave culture. They temporarily increase alertness and wakefulness. Many users report subjective feelings of openness, empathy, energy, euphoria, and well-being. ATS production is concentrated in North America, East and South-East Asia and in Europe. Amphetamine and Ecstasy are mainly produced in Europe. Methamphetamine is mainly produced in North America and south East Asia.