Transcript 8th Grade Illegal Drugs

8th Grade Illegal Drugs
Stimulants, Depressants,
and Narcotics
Stimulants, Depressants
and Narcotics

Three different classifications of drugs

Within each classification, there are
different drugs
Controlled Drugs

Controlled Drug: a drug whose
possession, manufacture, distribution,
and sale are controlled by law.
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Have very powerful effects on the body
and mind

Prescription is needed
Illegal Drugs
Drug
whose possession,
manufacture, distribution
and sale are against the
law.
Stimulants
 Increases
alertness and
attention and raises Blood
pressure, Heart rate and
breathing rate.
Legal Stimulants
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Caffeine

Over-the-counter Drugs

Tolerance develops quickly

Can cause health problems and lead to
withdrawal
Illegal Stimulants
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Cocaine
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Crack
Amphetamines
Methamphetamines
Cocaine
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Highly addictive stimulant drug obtained
from the leaves of the coca plant.
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Two forms- powder which is snorted or
injected into a vein OR purified form
which is smoked
Crack

The purified form of cocaine that
produces a rapid and intense reaction

People will feel effects quickly and
effects will only last a few minutes.

Side-effects last a very long time.
Cocaine affects the
Mind and Body-additional
effects
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Anxiety, restlessness, irritability and insomnia
Depression
Increased aggressiveness
Paranoia and hallucinations
Criminal behavior to support addiction
Increased risk of hepatitis and HIV
Heart attack, stroke, irregular Heart beat
Convulsions, collapse or death
Amphetamines

Chemically manufactured stimulants
that are highly addictive.

Swallowed, injected, smoked or inhaled.
Amphetamines affect on the
mind and body
Addiction
 Brain damage
 Psychotic behavior
 Hallucinations
 Insomnia
 Paranoia

Methamphetamines

Highly addictive drugs in the
amphetamine family. Their use
produces effects similar to cocaine.
Many methamphetamines are made in
illegal laboratories.
 Meth Labs are very dangerous!

Meth’s affect on the Body
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Wakefulness
Confusion
Convulsions,
Anxiety
Paranoia
Aggressiveness
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Potentially lethal
increase or decrease
of body temperature
and death
Damage to brain
and blood vessels
Deterioration of a Meth User
Deterioration of a Meth User
Depressants

Slow down the activity of the CNS
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Relax muscles, calm nerves, and cause
sleepiness.
Depressants
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Two Types
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Sedatives: drugs that have a calming
effect on behavior
Hypnotics: drugs that promote drowsiness
and sleep

ALCOHOL: is a sedative-hypnotic drug
Sedatives

Barbituates: have been prescribed by
physicians to help people or to treat
anxiety and high BP. The legal use is
monitored by a doctor because they are
SO ADDICTIVE!
Sedatives
Tranquilizers: relax muscles and reduce
anxiety. They are used to treat anxiety,
insomnia, muscle spasms, panic
attacks, and mental illness.
 In excessive doses, can cause
depression, emotional disturbances,
coma, and death
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Sedatives
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Methaqualone (Qualludes): a potent
tranquillizer that was once used to treat
anxiety and insomnia.
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It was banned in the 1980’s from the
U.S. because it was so addictive
Depressants- Date Rape Drug

Depressants associated with their use in
sexual assaults.

Colorless, odorless, and tasteless
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Can cause drowsiness,
unconsciousness, seizures, coma and
death
Date Rape Drugs

Drug Slipping: placing a drug in
someone’s food or beverage without
that person’s knowledge, therefore
making them vulnerable to physical or
sexual assault.
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DRUG SLIPPING IS ILLEGAL!
Narcotics
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A group of drugs that slow down the
CNS, cause drowsiness, and can be
used as painkillers.
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Physicians use it to treat pain, relieve
coughing, and cause numbness
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Drowsiness is a well-known side-effect
Narcotics
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Morphine: used to control pain. Tolerance
and dependence develop quickly.
Codeine: Pain killer produced from Morphine.
Used in some cough syrups and pain
relievers.
Heroin: illegal narcotic derived from
Morphine. No approved medical uses. Highly
addictive and has serious side effects
Narcotic Side-effects
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Inability to
concentrate
Slow or troubled
breathing
Constriction of
pupils
Nausea
Vomiting
Overdose can lead
to…
Clammy skin
Confusion
Severe drowsiness
Convulsions
Coma
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Narcotic Withdrawal
Symptoms
 Severe
Craving
 Anxiety
 Muscle
pain
 Diarrhea
 Vomiting
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People who inject
narcotics are at a
high risk for
contracting HIV and
hepatitis, due to
sharing
contaminated
needles.