Question

Drugs and Drug Abuse
Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.
Use of drugs has been on the rise, especially among the youth. This is really a cause of concern as it could result in many harmful effects. Proper education and guidance would enable young people to safeguard themselves against these dangerous behaviour patterns and follow healthy lifestyles. The drugs which are commonly abused are opioids, cannabinoids and coca alkaloids. The majority of these are obtained from flowering plants. Some are obtained from fungi. Various plants, fruits and seeds having hallucinogenic properties have been used for hundreds of years in folk-medicine, religious ceremonies and rituals all over the globe. When these are taken for a purpose other than medicinal use or in amounts/frequency that impairs one's physical, physiological or psychological functions, it constitutes drug abuse. These days, some drugs are also being abused by some sports-persons.

Which one of the following plants does not have hallucinogenic properties?

• A. Atropa
• B. Erythroxylum
• C. Datura
• D. Rauwolfia

Hint:

Rauwolfia gives reserpine, a tranquilizer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The passage says that opioids, cannabinoids and coca alkaloids are common drugs of abuse and that many come from flowering plants.

Step 2: Recall the facts:
Atropa belladonna and Datura give hallucinogens such as atropine and datura alkaloids. Erythroxylum coca gives cocaine, which is a stimulant with hallucinogenic effects. Rauwolfia serpentina gives reserpine, which is a tranquilizer used for high blood pressure and not a hallucinogen.

Step 3: Check the options:
The correct choice is option 4, Rauwolfia. The other options do not match the facts given in Step 2.

Final Answer:
The answer is option 4, Rauwolfia.