POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 71 In general, a drug is defined as any substance, other than food, which is taken to change the way the body and/or mind function. Mood-altering drugs - also called psychoactive (sy-ko-active) drugs - are drugs that can change or affect the way a person thinks, feels or acts. These drugs usually have physical effects as well, but the thing that sets them apart from other drugs is that they work on the mind and the senses. The word "psychoactive" literally means working (active) on the mind or behaviour (psycho). The effects of a drug are also influenced by how it is taken and by factors such as the age and gender of the person who uses the drug. Drug use is often described as being legal or illegal (although, for most drugs, it is the possession, manufacture, cultivation and/or sale of the drugs which may be judged technically to be legal or illegal). Most drugs used for medicinal purposes are legally available by prescription or sold over-the-counter. A large number of drugs prescribed in Canada each year are psychoactive drugs that can be used to relieve pain, calm nervousness or aid sleep. Drugs used for non-medicinal purposes include alcohol and tobacco which can be purchased or used legally by almost anyone who is of legal age. Some drugs are usually obtained illegally. These include cannabis (marijuana [marihuana], hashish [hash] and hash oil), cocaine, heroin and LSD. Such drugs are usually produced (grown or manufactured in illegal laboratories) for sale on the street. Prescription drugs are also sold and possessed illegally when the transaction does not involve the legal filling of a valid prescription (e.g., Ritalin® and Percodan® are often sold on the street). When the term "drug" is used, it includes drugs used for medicinal and non-medicinal purposes, whether used legally or illegally. Drugs can come from plants growing wild in fields or planted as a crop, or they can be manufactured in laboratories. They can be helpful or harmful and they may or may not have recognized medicinal properties or purposes. The continuum of risk provides a framework for understanding drug use and its hazards and consequences as discussed in the following sections. People who use drugs may be at different points on the continuum of risk for different drugs, e.g., a person may be using one drug at a level that results in negative consequences, but using another drug on an occasional or social basis, or using medication as directed. The continuum ranges from no use to dependence. No use - the person does not use alcohol or other drugs. Experimental Use - the person tries a drug out of curiosity and may or may not use the drug again. Social or Occasional Use - the person uses the drug in an amount or frequency that is not harmful (e.g., a drink on a social occasion). Medication Used as Directed - the person uses a drug as prescribed, under medical supervision. The risk of harm is minimized. Harmful Use - the person experiences negative consequences of drug use, e.g., health problems, family, school, work problems, legal problems. Dependence - the person is psychologically and/or physically dependent on a drug, which is used excessively and the use continues despite the person experiencing serious problems. www.hc-sc.gc.ca What is a Drug?
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