Drug Facts  A chemical that causes changes in the way your body or your brain works.  A substance that modifies the workings of the central nervous system  Common features of illegal drugs: - Affects function of brain -Can result in drug dependence and addiction

Drug Facts  A TOLERANCE is when a larger dose of the drug is needed in order to experience the same effects, or high as previously experienced.  Nausea, feeling anxious, having trouble sleeping, sweating excessively and loss of appetite are some symptoms of WITHDRAWAL.  The path of addiction: Drug use, tolerance, dependence, addiction

Why do Young people try drugs?  Peer pressure  Experimentation  Escape problems  Parents use  Want to ‘feel different’

How are drugs ingested  Chewed  Swallowed  Injected  Inhaled  Sniffed  Absorbed  When using illegal drugs, the risk of catching certain infectious diseases increases because SOME ILLEGAL DRUG USERS SHARE NEEDLES.

Drug Abuse  Any use of an illegal drug.  Misuse of any legal drug or psychoactive substance.  Continued use of a substance despite negative consequences

Gateway Drugs  Drugs people usually try first before moving to other drugs  NICOTINE/TOBACCO  ALCOHOL  MARIJUANA

Categories  1) STIMULANTS  2) DEPRESSANTS  3) NARCOTICS  4) MARIJUANA  5) INHALENTS  6) HALLUCINOGENS  7) DESIGNER DRUGS  8) STEROIDS  9) Over-the-counter (OTC)

Stimulants  Stimulants are a class of drugs that elevate mood, increase feelings of well- being, and increase energy and alertness.  Examples include cocaine (including crack), methamphetamine, caffeine and nicotine.

Stimulants  Initial Effects: Euphoria, Exhilarated, hyperactive, nervous, loss of appetite  Long Term: Seizures, Heart Attack, Lung damage, Paranoia, Severe depression  Physical & Psychological dependence

Cocaine  Can stop heart from beating  Long term: similar to all stimulants, but can also damage nasal passages  Crack cocaine: pure form of cocaine; highly addictive; feel rush 4-6 seconds; very high, then very low

Common Street Names  Cocaine Coke, Snow, Nose Candy, Flake, Blow, Big C, Lady, White, and Snowbirds, Powder,  Crack Cocaine Crack, rock, freebase, Cookie,  Methamphetamines Crank, Crystal meth, Crystal methadrine, and Speed

Depressants  These substances slow down the activity of the nervous system. They produce sedative (calming) and hypnotic (trancelike) effects as well as drowsiness. If taken in large doses, depressants can cause intoxication (drunkenness).

Depressants  Initial Effects: Impaired judgement, inebriation, slurred speech, poor coordination, weak pulse, shallow breathing  Withdrawal from depressants can be severe  Dangerous when drugs mixed with alcohol

 Alcohol Alcohol is a legal depressant for people over the age of 21. It suppresses the activity of the mind and body of those who consume it.  Gamma Hydroxybutyrate GHB is a depressant associated with sexual assault. It is odorless and tasteless and consumers of this drug often do so unknowlngly.  Marijuana and Inhalants Marijuana is a depressant as well as a minor hallucinogen. Some inhalants are also depressants.  Slang terms Slang terms for depressants include booze, downers, forget-me-pills, roofies and yellow jackets.

Narcotics  a drug (as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions.  Examples are opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin.  One of the most serious dangers of heroin is THAT IT IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE.

Narcotics  Initial Effects: pain relief, Nausea, Vomiting, Shallow breathing, Sleep like state  Long Term: Severe addiction W/ painful withdrawal

Marijuana Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. Marijuana has a chemical in it called tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. All forms of marijuana are mind- altering (psychoactive). In other words, they change how the brain works (Cause dopamine to be released). A lot of other chemicals are found in marijuana, too — about 400 of them, some of which are carcinogens.

Amotivational Syndrome  A condition that happens after continued use of marijuana.  A person lacks the motivation or interest in doing things they used to do.  A person has a diminished short term memory and learning

Inhalents  Inhalants are volatile substances or fumes from products such as glue or paint thinner that are sniffed or "huffed" to cause a high. Inhalants affect the brain with great speed and force and keep oxygen from reaching the lungs.  Inhalant vapors cause BRAIN cells to die from lack of oxygen  The intoxication produced by inhalants usually lasts just a few minutes; therefore, users often try to extend the "high" by continuing to inhale repeatedly over several hours, which increases the risk

Hallucinogens  LSD, PCP, Acid, Mushrooms  Initial Effects: Distortions of reality, particularly with sight, smell & touch. Judgement impaired, Panic & Paranoia  Long Term: Flashbacks, Psychotic reactions, Violent reactions  HALLUCINOGENS are the drug category of drugs is associated with Flashbacks.

Designer Drugs  Ecstasy, Crystal Meth  Initial Effects: Hyper-excitability, Euphoria, Nausea, Insomnia, Seizures, Exhaustion  Long Term: Visual & Verbal memory loss, Serotonin depletion affecting mood, sleep, thinking processes

Ecstacy  Ecstasy (MDMA) is a synthetic drug that combines properties of mescaline (hallucinogen) with methamphetamine (a type of speed)  It is often cut with a variety of other drugs, such as amphetamine, LSD, ketamine, cocaine, and heroin or other toxic chemicals

Date Rape Drugs  GHB, Rohypnol, Ketamine  Initial effects: Intoxication, Deep sedation, Loss of consciousness, Slowed psychomotor function  The side effects of a “date rape drug” – Rohypnol or GHB are IMPAIRED COORDINATION AND TEMPORARY AMNESIA/MEMORY LOSS.

Date Rape Drugs  Most drugs are colorless, odorless and easily soluble.  Drugs are unknowingly slipped into a drink  Victim is rendered incapacitated and vulnerable to rape  Victim is likely to suffer from amnesia of events while under the influence

Anabolic Steroids  Roids, Juice,  Effects: Synthetic form of testosterone d Aggression, insomnia, paranoia, uncontrolled moods and rage  Long term: Heart and Liver damage, cancers, muscle and tendon/ligament damage

Risks (“Cough Syrup”)  DXM(Dextromethorphan): Impaired judgment and mental functioning / Loss of coordination / Dizziness / Nausea and vomiting / Hot flashes / Numbness / Reactions with other medications / Increased heart rate and blood pressure / Hallucinations / Brain damage / Seizure / Death