Chapter 23

Psychoactive Drugs  Chemicals that affect the central nervous system and alter activity in the brain.  CNS includes the brain and the spinal cord.  There are four classifications of psychoactive drugs.  Stimulants  Depressants  Narcotics  Hallucinogens

Stimulants – drugs that speed up the CNS. CocaineConsequences of Use  Rapid-acting, powerful, highly addictive stimulant that interrupts normal CNS functioning.  Illegal everywhere in the US.  Users experience a surge of self-confidence and euphoria.  Emotional letdown soon follows. Regular use leads to depression, fatigue, paranoia and dependence.  Nausea, abdominal pain  Malnutrition  Chest pain  Respiratory failure  Headache, stroke, heart attack, death  Exposure to HIV with needles  ADDICTION

Stimulants - drugs that speed up the CNS. Methamphetamine Consequences of Use  Stimulant used in treating certain diseases such as Parkinson’s or obesity.  White, odorless powder that easily dissolves in alcohol or water.  Most notably considered a “club drug”  Huge meth problem here in Minnesota.  Decreased appetite  Weight loss & malnutrition  Memory loss  Heart and nerve damage  Increased tolerance  ADDICTION

Depressants – drugs that slow down the CNS. DepressantsAlcohol  These drugs relax muscles, relieve feelings of tension and worry, and cause drowsiness.  They can be dangerous because they slow heart rate, lower BP, and interrupt normal breathing rates.  One of the most common depressants used.  Other depressants:  Rohypnol  GHB  Tranquilizers  Barbiturates

RohypnolConsequences of Use  Widely available “club drug”  Ten times stronger than a tranquilizer is best known as the date rape drug.  Comes in tablet form and looks like aspirin.  Dissolves in drinks, victim wakes up later with no recollection of what happened in the past several hours.  Confusion  Inability to remember what happened  Decreased blood pressure  Drowsiness  Gastrointestinal disturbances Depressants – drugs that slow down the CNS.

GHB Consequences of Use  Another “club drug”  Like Rohypnol, it has been used in date rape crimes.  GHB is available as a clear liquid, white powder, and a variety of capsules or tablets.  Easily capable of overdose.  Drug leaves the blood quickly, making it hard to determine an overdose has occurred.  Drowsiness  Nausea  Vomiting  Loss of consciousness  Impaired breathing  Coma  Death Depressants – drugs that slow down the CNS.

Narcotics Narcotics – specific drugs derived from the opium plant that are obtainable only by prescription and are used to relieve pain. Morphine Oxycotin Codeine Narcotic use can cause euphoria, drowsiness, constipation, pinpoint pupil, slow or shallow breathing, convulsions, coma, and death. Abuse leads to ADDICTION

Narcotics Heroin Consequences of Use  Highly addictive  Processed form of morphine that is injected, snorted or smoked.  Depresses the CNS and slows breathing.  Abuse can cause infection of heart lining.  Users easily develop tolerance prompting increased usage.  Withdrawal can be very painful  Confusion  Sedation  Unconsciousness  Coma  Death

Hallucinogens  Drugs that alter moods, thoughts, and sense perception including vision, hearing, smell and touch.  These drugs have no medical use.  These drugs overload the sensory controls in the brain. The brain then confuses and intensifies sensations and hallucinates.  Impair judgment, reasoning, and increase heart rate.

Common Hallucinogens  PCP  LSD  Ketamine  Ecstasy

Designer Drugs  Synthetic substances meant to imitate the effects of hallucinogens and other dangerous drugs.  Vary in potency and can be several hundred times stronger than the drugs they are meant to imitate.  Ecstasy – combination stimulant and hallucinogen.

Write four on your sheet. Share.

Drug Presentation – Ms. Van Bibber

Marijuana o Common name for Indian hemp plant cannabis. o One of the most widely known illegal drugs. o Commonly, the second drug tried after alcohol. o Marijuana users are 17 times more likely to use cocaine than one who has never used marijuana. o All forms are mind altering and can damage the user’s health. o When combined with other substances, it can be deadly.

Marijuana & Addiction  As with other mood altering drugs, marijuana raises levels of a brain chemical called dopamine.  Some users release so much dopamine that a feeling of intense well- being or elation is reached.  When the drug wears off, the pleasure sensation stops, often dramatically. Known as a CRASH.

Marijuana contains MORE cancer- causing chemicals than tobacco smoke and carries the same health risks as smoking tobacco.

Potential Health Risks  Hallucinations and paranoia  Impaired memory, reaction time, coordination  Blood shot eyes  Dry mouth  Lung irritation, coughing  Heart and lung damage  Weakened immunity  Increased appetite  Lower sperm count & risk of infertility  Decreased initiative and ambition  Risk of lung cancer.

Marijuana Info.  Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the U.S.  Main active chemical in marijuana is the delta- 9- tetrahydrocannabinol THC

Addictive Potential  Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction.  Addiction meaning: seeking and abuse despite the known harmful effects.  9% of users become addicted, 17% addicted who start young, 45% among daily users.

Addiction Symptoms  Long-term abusers trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms including:  Irritability  Sleeplessness  Decreased appetite  Anxiety  Drug craving Symptoms usually begin about 1 day following abstinence.

Marijuana Use by Students th Grade10 th Grade12 th Grade Lifetime15.7%32.3%42.0% Past Year11.8%26.7%32.8% Past Month 6.5%15.9%20.6% Daily1%2.8%5.2%

In 1995, 34.1% of 10 th Graders were using marijuana. In 2001, 40.1% were using. In 2003, 46.1% were using. In 2008, 42.6% were using. In 2010, 31.4% were using!! Lower #’s = good stuff. The # of user’s is decreasing.