Interview with Lieut. Gen. Ahmed Al-Gamal – PART-2
Alaa Babiker
In the first part of our interview with Lieut. Gen. Ahmed Al-Gamal HERE, we reviewed some of the very dangerous drugs in Sudan, about which he added: (We can divide Drugs according to their affects on the human body into two major types: Acute and Chronic effects. The Acute effect requires an urgent medical intervention (example; the Overdose of Heroin and methamphetamine “ICE” Drugs, which can lead to death), while the Chronic effects result from the prolonged small uses of the Drugs, no strike symptoms therefore no urgent medical intervention is needed, but after long time the body organs may get damaged resulting chronic effects). Keep reading the final PART-2 of this interview and be aware of the effects of Drugs on the human body and brain.
Q7: What are the effects of Drugs on the human brain?
A7: It depends on the kind of mediators affected by the drug. Indigenous substances (like: Adrenaline, Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, Endorphin, etc.) are responsible for the wellbeing of the human body, they control emotions, reactions to pain stimuli, the mood, increase happiness feeling, and alertness of being conscious, they are natural drugs and are excreted in adjusted does inside the human body. Therefore, when using drugs, the normal levels of these natural hormones start to be affected (significantly increase or decrease) leading to the pleasant feeling the addicts always describe.
Q8: How drugs can be identified and analyzed?
A8: The identification of drugs depends on the modern use of the advanced technology (like: Analytical Chemistry, Chromatography, Gas Chromatography, etc.). Sometimes we use the Immunobiological Essay, which is the use of screening, but it doesn’t give the evidence of the presence of the specific drug, rather than it gives a strong reason to send for Confirmatory Analysis.
Q9: What is the sequence of work of the Anti-Criminal Unit in drug-related crimes?
A9: The Anti-Criminal Unit deals with the Narcotic-related crimes at different levels. Mafia Working level as a part of The Organized Crime. Distributor or Dealers level. And Abusers or Individual Level.
Q10: What is the implemented criminal law regarding Narcotics and Psychotropic in Sudan?
A10: The current used law is the one issued in 1994, which came after about 70 years of Hashish and Opium Act issued in 1924. It is well implemented, but I think there is a need for more revision and update in order to include the new emerged details, especially regarding the new psychoactive substances.
Q11: Any recommendations you would like to make for addicts, families, and for the community?
A11: The advices are based on my work experience in the fields of Control of Narcotics and Psychotropics, Demand Reduction, and Research; therefore, the most important recommendations I give to the abusers: be brave and try to start the rehabilitation and treatment process as early as possible. Drugs ruin your life, and it can lead to Suicide, Homicide, and Death.