Narcotics

The objective of the course is to describe the addictive drugs (“Narcotics”), with emphasis on their pharmacological and toxicological properties. There is, also, reference to historical, social and legal factors associated with the use and abuse of addictive drugs.

Objectives

All basic knowledge on drugs of abuse is taught in the medical syllabus, within the lectures of “Medical Pharmacology I”. In the relevant lectures, dependence is dealt with as a very serious side effect of many useful medicinal products, such as narcotic analgesics, hypnotics and sedatives. Focus on “drugs of abuse” was first undertaken in 1981, after the suggestion of several medical students, who were aware of the increasing social concern on this issue. Indeed, in the early 80’s, it was already apparent that illegal drugs were becoming a serious threat for the society, not restricted only in the lower classes of the poor. This lead to the introduction of a new elective subject with the title “Narcotics”, which was planned to cover the necessary knowledge on drug dependence in an objective way, without the exaggerating role of the social media and the journalists. Focus is given mainly to the pharmacological and toxicological properties of the substances involved, with some reference also made to the social and legislative aspects of this serious social phenomenon. Lectures and group teaching, as a whole, help the students towards a better understanding of the drugs of abuse, and provide them with some necessary skills for their future career as physicians.

Prerequisites

Syllabus

General principles – Terminology Opium alkaloids and related drugs Sedatives-Tranquilizers Stimulants of the CNS Cannabis Nicotine Psychedelics Social aspects of drug abuse Legislation concerning “narcotics”