Narcotics

Contents: HISTORY. Opium. Heroin.

OPIOIDS IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS. Hippocampus. Evidence for regulation of Hippocampal neuropeptide levels. Effects of repeated Encephalographic investigation. Cellular investigations. Neurophalographic of Opioids in CA1,CA3, and in the denate gyrus.

PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR DRUG ACTIONS ON THE C.N.S. Nerve cell. Drug and nerve transmission. Neurotransmitters. Organisation of the Nervous System. Drug and the brain.

PHARMACOLOGY OF NARCOTICS. Morphine and other opium alkaloids. Meperidine and congeners. Methadone and congeners. Levorphanal and congeners. Phenazocine. Comparision of opium alkaloids, semi synthetics. Narcotics antagonists. Propoxyphene. Papaverine. Dextromethorphan. Noscapine.

BEHAVIOURAL THERAPHY OF HUMAN DEPENDENCE. Behavioural mechanisms. Antecedent variables. Lasanga's questions. Commonalities. Normative behaviour and deviance.

ETIOLOGY. Adolescent development. Growth enhancing limit testing. Implications for prevention. The Development of children health orientation and behaviour. Development vulnerabilities. Prevention of adolescent drug use. Targetting children.

PREVENTION RESEARCH . History of prevention. Personal and social skill training. Cognative and behavioural programmes. Case Study 1: Drug Resistance Education. Theoretical Rationale. Imparting information. Social Assertiveness Skills Training. Cognitive Behavioural skill Training. Decision Skill Curriculum. Life skills Training. Recommendation for further research. General Awareness Strategies. Case Study 2 : Life'90.

TREATMENT OF NARCOTIC ADDICTION. Introduction. Defining success. Reason to stop using. Different modalities. Case study 1: The D.A.I.R.R.C. 'Open ' Rehabilitation Model. METHADONE MAINTENANCE. Naloxone and Diagnosis. Dosage and Duration. Factors modifying pharmacological effectiveness. Methadone detoxification. Use of Clonidine or Lofexidine. Dextro-propoxyphene as a therapeutic agent. Methadone effects on off spring of users. Toxicity,genetic and perinatal effects. Consequences. Factors affecting outcome of treatment :- Patient characteristics. Predictors of retention and performance Differential Prediction. Treatment characteristics. Organisation. Case study 2:- Kaliedoscope , a community health project. Out -patient drug free programmes. Self help groups. Adjuvant treatment. Treatment of patients with other psychiatric disorders. In-prison drug programmes. Relapse.

URINALYSIS:- DRUG DETECTION IN THE WORKPLACE. Establishing a programme. Choosing a laboratory. Specimen collection and handling. Methods of Immunoassay. Interpretation of results. Pharmacokinetics.

APPENDIX. Survey showing Opium Addiction in 173 villages in Banas- Kantha District.( Northern Gujarat, India.)

REFERENCES.