"Smoking joints is a behavior that, with certain nuances, is considered not very harmful by some sectors of society, both in the short and long term deadline. For this reason, it is socially accepted or tolerated". This was explained at the University of Navarra by Norberto Aguirre, professor of Pharmacology, on the occasion of the presentation of the XX course of update for Postgraduates 'Drug Addictions', which the School of Pharmacy held between May 30 and June 2.

The reason for this acceptance, according to Professor Aguirre, is that "hashish and marijuana are considered soft drugs, with little addictive character and little repercussion in terms of the family, social and labor destabilization of the consumer. And this is because the so-called hard drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, among which I also include alcohol, do entail this destabilization. But it is not that hashish and marijuana do less harm than synthetic drugs, but rather that the effects will depend on the use (dose, frequency of consumption, route of administration...); on the health, both physical and mental, of the individual; and on the environment in which the drug is consumed".

"But, all things being equal, we could say that synthetic drugs or design are potentially more toxic, physically and mentally, than smoking hashish or marijuana," he qualified.

Ecstasy use and psychiatric disorders

When asked about the psychological damage caused by synthetic drugs to their users, the expert from the University of Navarra reported that "there are data and publications that indicate that ecstasy consumption produces psychiatric disorders. In any case, to attribute certain psychiatric disorders exclusively to the use of pills is risky and unscientific".

Professor Aguirre also pointed out that "what is clear is that ecstasy degenerates in experimental animals and, apparently, also in humans, some very specific nerve terminals. These are the so-called serotonergic nerve terminals, which contain a neurotransmitter called serotonin. This neurotransmitter is directly involved in the control of emotions and moods".

It is also known," he continued, "that the lack of this transmitter is the origin of certain types of depression, and that it is implicated in other pathologies, such as anxiety, report disorders or psychotic disorders. However, establishing a direct relationship between the possible degeneration of serotonergic terminals in consumers and the disorders described is a hypothesis that needs to be demonstrated, although everything seems to indicate that this could be the case".

Cocaine and synthetic drugs, cannabinoids and hallucinogens or alcohol and tobacco are some of the types of drugs that will be analyzed in the course of the University of Navarra that begins this Wednesday. But drugs cover other aspects that will also be dealt with: risks associated with their consumption, prevention, social problems... Therefore, this course will also address issues such as present and future strategies of the National Plan on Drugs, the features of drug dependence, the relationship with sport, adolescence and nutritional deficiencies, legal and juridical aspects or the influence of the media.

According to Berta Lasheras, professor of Pharmacology at the University of Navarra and director of the course, "in recent years we have witnessed changes in both drug supply and consumption patterns. In the 1980s and early 1990s the emblematic drug was heroin, but today its consumption has stabilized, even decreased. Now there has been a shift to the so-called synthetic drugs and the adoption of new patterns in the consumption of some already established drugs, such as alcohol".

Presence of the Government Subdelegate for the National Plan on Drugs.

Professor Lasheras indicated that "in this framework the phenomenon of drug use is being addressed from different perspectives ranging from the scientific research to prevention, harm reduction and attendance to the drug addict".

Thus, he recalls that, "among the strategies of the new National Plan on Drugs (PNSD), the one that stands out is that of standardizing the care networks for drug addicts, integrating them in a coordinated manner in the public health and social systems. It is intended that the different resources that form part of the so-called system of attendance and social integration of drug addicts are characterized by their professionalism, multidisciplinarity and easy accessibility".

Speakers at the course included Emiliano Martín, Government sub-delegate for the National Plan on Drugs; Fermín Castiella, director of the Regional Plan on Drugs; Juan Manuel Fernández, magistrate of the Provincial Court of Navarra; Alfonso Arteaga, manager of area of Communication of project Hombre Navarra; José Calabuig, of department of Cardiology of the University Clinic of Navarra; and Inés Dorronsoro, director of the Microbiology Service of the Hospital of Navarra.