What are Hypnotics? This term is used to describe drugs which help you to sleep. Examples are barbiturates and tranquillisers.See also depressants Hypnotics are prescribed drugs.
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HIV/AIDS
What are HIV and AIDs? HIV stands for Human Immuno Deficiency virus. AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Sydrome. What is HIV? HIV is a virus which damages the immune system so that people cannot fight off normal infections. When…
Heroin and other opiates
Boy, brown, china white, dragon, gear, H, horse, junk, skag, smack, diamorphine, morphine, methadone, opium, codeine, pethidine, dihydrocodeine (DF118), palfium, diconal, temgesic, physeptone What is heroin? Heroin (diamorphine) is one of a group of drugs called ‘opiates’. These drugs are…
Hepatitis
What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is a viral infection that affects the liver There are three main types: Hepatitis A is caught through poor hygiene and infected food and water. Hepatitis B and C are both easily transmitted through blood (although…
Heart
How do drugs affect the heart? Once drugs are taken and enter the bloodstream the heart pumps blood containing the drug to the brain where it will affect how people feel. Drugs can also have an affect on the heart…
Harm reduction
What is harm reduction? Harm reduction refers to policies and practices that try to reduce the harm that people do to themselves or others from their drug use. It can be contrasted with primary prevention which tries to prevent people using…
Hard drugs
What is meant by the term Hard Drugs? This term usually refers to drugs that are seen to be more dangerous and more likely to cause dependency such as heroin and crack cocaine than those designated as soft drugs such…
Hallucinogenic
What is meant by the term hallucinogenics? This describes a drug which alters perception; the way you see, hear, feel, smell or touch the world. This can mean that the senses can get all mixed up or changed. People may…
Golden triangle
Where is the Golden Triangle? The Golden Triangle is a mountainous area of Burma, Laos and Thailand just south of the Chinese border, where opium has been grown for hundreds of years. This area has been a main source of…
Golden crescent
What is the Golden Crescent? The Golden Crescent is a mountainous area of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan where opium has been grown for hundreds of years. This area has been a main source of supply of heroin to the UK.