Transcript Drugs
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
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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
•To seem
mature
•Peer pressure
•Media
glamorizes it
•To fit in
•To relax
•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
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Stimulants
Depressants
Narcotics
Hallucinogens
Cannabis
Inhalants
Club Drugs
Steroids
Type 1: Stimulants
• Stimulants speed up the Central Nervous
System (CNS)
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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
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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
• Meth
Effects: 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_t
heir_effects.htm
• http://www.addictionca.com/illegaldrugs.htm
• http://www.streetdrugs.org/dgsindex.htm