Drugs

Definitions• Drug: Any chemical substance that causes a physical or

mental change in the structure or function of the body.

– Ex. Marijuana, alcohol, Advil, Tylenol, heroin, nicotine, etc.

– Can be legal (illicit drugs) or illegal.

• Substance Abuse: Any unnecessary or improper use of chemical substances for non-medical purposes.

• Gateway Drugs: Drugs that often lead to other serious and dangerous drug use.

FACTS ABOUT DRUGS• Teens are using at younger ages• Heroin use is growing among teens• Teens consider marijuana a safe drug• More than 60% of teens said that drugs were sold,

used, or kept at their school. • In 2008, 1.9 million youth age 12 to 17 abused

prescription drugs. • By the 8th grade, 52% of adolescents have consumed

alcohol, 41% have smoked cigarettes, and 20% have used marijuana.

• 1 joint = 20 cigarettes on the lungs

WHY PEOPLE USE DRUGS

•Friends and family use them

•Peer pressure

•To fit in

•To relax

•To seem mature

•Media glamorizes it

•Boredom

•Escape problems

DANGERS OF DRUGS

• Tolerance- need more and more• Physiological Dependence- chemical need for

the drug• Withdrawal- nervousness, insomnia, severe

nausea, headaches, vomiting, chills, cramps, or even death

• Psychological Dependence- feels a need (mental addiction)

• Addiction- can’t function without the drug

Types of Drugs

1. Stimulants

2. Depressants

3. Narcotics

4. Hallucinogens

5. Cannabis

6. Inhalants

7. Club Drugs

8. Steroids

Type 1: Stimulants

• Stimulants speed up the Central Nervous System (CNS) – Increase heart rate – Increase blood pressure– Increase body temperature– Increase pupil size.

Stimulants: Caffeine

• Legal • Extremely Addictive• Most widely used

stimulant• Found in sodas,

chocolate, energy drinks, coffee etc.

Stimulants: Amphetamine

• Effects During “Up” time:– Extra energy, cheerfulness,

confidence, prevents sleep, reduces appetite, speeds up breathing and heart rate, widens the pupils.

• Effects During Down time– Feelings of helplessness and

hopelessness, anxiety, anger

• It's taken by mouth, injected or inhaled.

• Nicknames and Examples: Speed, meth, crystal, crank, tweak, ice, glass

Stimulants: Cocaine

• Extremely Addictive and Illegal Drug

• Effects:– restlessness, irritability,

anxiety, paranoia, aggression, respiratory arrest, seizures, death.

• It's inhaled or injected • Nicknames: Coke, Snow,

Nose Candy, Flake, Big C, Lady, White and Snowbirds

Type 2: Depressants

• Slows Down Body Functions (CNS)– Slows Breathing– Slows heart rate– Slows reaction time

• Examples: Alcohol and Barbituates

Depressants: Barbituates

• Effects: Very similar to Alcohol– Calming, sleep induction

and anxiety reduction, slurred speech, clumsiness, unconsciousness.

• Taken By mouth

• Other Names: Downers, Barbs, Blue Devils, Red Devils, Yellow Jacket

Type 3 - Narcotics

• Drugs that act on the CNS to relieve pain.• Morphine – Used Legally in hospitals

– Very addictive

• Codeine – Used legally by prescription– 1/6 as effective and addictive as Morphine

• Heroin – Illegal, addictive and harmful – 10 Times as powerful as Morphine– Deep state of relaxation, constrict pupils, slows heart beat, induces sleep

Type 4 - Hallucinogens

• Cause a change in a person’s perception of reality. (I.E. They see and take things in differently)

• Man made substance to increase potency• LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

– Effects: Altered states of perception and feeling, nausea, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, numbness, weakness, tremors.

Hallucinogens: Mushrooms

• Certain types of mushrooms have hallucinogenic substance that is ingested by mouth.

• Effects: – Euphoria, visual

hallucinations, nausea, fear or agitation, confusion, delirium, psychosis, schizophrenia like syndromes.

Hallucinogens: PCP

• Other Names: Angel dust, wack, ozone• Severe unpredictable side effects. • Very toxic even in low doses. • Effects:

– High blood pressure, lack of coordination, irregular muscle functioning, little or no pain response, loss of sensitivity, fever, nausea vomiting. Agitation, violence,

• PCP Rage – uncontrollable bursts of violence and unstoppable strength

Type 5: Cannabis

• This drug is found naturally in plants• THC is the major ingredient. • Effects:

– Relaxation, drowsiness, lowering if inhibitions, distorted perceptions, short term memory loss, blood shot eyes, dry throat, increased heart rate, tightness of chest, dizziness, decreased muscular coordination

• Hashish: Most potent form of Cannabis• Marijuana is the cheaper, less potent form of

Cannabis

Type 6: Inhalants• Substances that produce

fumes that are sniffed to produce intoxication

• Can be deadly, you never know how much drug you are actually taking in

• Types: – Cleaning fluid, lacquer, model

airplane glue, gasoline, nitrous oxide

• Effects: – Euphoria, hallucinations,

memory loss, occasional aggressiveness. Repeated exposure can increase these effects.

Type 7: Club Drugs

• Variety of drugs used at all-night dance parties, nightclubs, and concerts.

• Ecstasy: (MDMA) Stimulant and hallucinogen. – Euphoria and heightened energy and emotions.

• GHB – Anabolic steroid that acts as a sedative.• Ketamine – Anesthetic

– causes dreaminess and hallucinations, especially out of body experiences.

• Rohypnol – sedative– intoxicaton, relaxation.

Type 8: Anabolic Steroids

• Drugs that have 2 basic effects, promote growth of skeletal muscle and encourage development of male characteristics.

• More than 100 different steroids used legally in the US

• Side Effects:– Hormonal Changes, Musculoskeletal changes,

Cardiovascular Changes, Liver Damage, Skin problems (ACNE), infections, Rage, Psychotic episodes

Other Common Drugs• Marijuana

– Most common street drug in the US

Effects: Heart Rate, Appetite, lung damage, brain damage, hormonal damage, motivation, cancer

• MethEffects: anxiousness and nervousness, incessant

talking, extreme moodiness and irritability, purposeless, repetitious behavior, such as picking at skin or pulling out hair, sleep disturbances, aggressive or violent behavior, disinterest in previously enjoyed activities; and severe depression, Dry mouth, sores in and around the mouth

Weight loss, Irritability, temper outbursts, aggression

Additional Info

• http://www.california-rehab.com/drugs.php• http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/

05/04/05/illegal_drugs_identification_chart_what_they_look_like__amp_how_to_recognize_their_effects.htm

• http://www.addictionca.com/illegal-drugs.htm

• http://www.streetdrugs.org/dgsindex.htm