ILLEGAL DRUGS

What is a psychoactive drug? A drug that affects the brain. What are illegal drugs? A drug whose production or use is prohibited or strictly controlled via prescription. What are Controlled Substances? A drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by the government and under legislative control. This may include illegal drugs and prescription medications.

Why is illegal drug use dangerous? dangerous/permanent damage to brain and body become addicted major factor in suicide, accidents and crimes risk of spreading disease through sharing needles can result in overdose drug use leads to making irresponsible decisions

The reasons people begin using drugs are similar to the reasons they begin to drink or smoke. What are these reasons? * Desire to experiment * Desire to escape depression/boredom * Enjoyment of risky behavior * Belief that drugs solve personal problems * Peer pressure * Media glamorizing drug use

Steps to Addiction Regular drug use Tolerance Dependence Addiction

Drugs that lead to the use of other drugs are called what? Gateway drugs What are the 3 most common ones? Tobacco Alcohol Marijuana

DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens All drugs, legal and illegal, are classified into different categories based on their similar effects on the mind and body. Depressants Stimulants Hallucinogens Club/Designer Opiates

What are…DEPRESSANTS? Drugs that slow down the central nervous system. Ex: slowed breathing and heart rate, and may make it hard to speak (slurred speech) or move properly. People using depressants may feel sleepy and relaxed. Depressants are most often prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders.

Common Depressants Alcohol Barbiturates Tranquilizers Ambien Rohypnol (Roofies)

What are…STIMULANTS? Drugs that speed up the central nervous system. People using stimulants may feel happy and excited, and have more energy, concentration or motivation. Stimulants make it difficult to sleep and suppress your appetite. Most stimulants have more side effects than other drugs.

Common Stimulants Caffeine Nicotine Cocaine Amphetamines Bath salts

What are…HALLUCINOGENS? Hallucinogens change the way people see, hear, feel or think. Most common hallucinogen is LSD. LSD leads the user to a serious disconnect from reality. LSD users call an LSD experience a “trip,” usually lasting 12 hours or so. When things go wrong, which often happens, it is called a “bad trip,” another name for a living nightmare!

Common Hallucinogens Marijuana (mild) Mushrooms LSD Spice/K2/Synthetic Marijuana **Video on picture

What are… CLUB/DESIGNER DRUGS? Psychoactive drugs that tend to be abused by teens and young adults at bars, night clubs, and raves. Their properties and effects are similar to known hallucinogens or narcotics, but have a slightly altered chemical structure.

Common Club Drugs Ecstasy PCP GHB Ketamine Meth LSD Rohypnol (Roofies)

What are…OPIATES? Powerful, highly addictive drugs Also known as narcotics Powerful, highly addictive drugs Derived from the poppy plant Used to relieve pain

Common Opiates Morphine Heroin Oxycontin Percoset Vicodin/hydrocodone

Let’s take a look at some of the most common Illegal drugs.

What is…MARIJUANA? Marijuana is a word used to describe the dried flowers, seeds, and leaves of the Indian hemp plant. The cannabis plant, from which marijuana is derived, contains the chemical THC which creates the distortion.

Effects of Marijuana SHORT-TERM LONG-TERM Sensory distortion Panic/Anxiety Lowered reaction time After an initial “up,” the user feels sleepy or depressed Increased heart rate Apathy, drowsiness, lack of motivation Personality and mood changes Rapid destruction of lung fibers and lesions to the brain could be permanent Reduction of male sex hormones Reduced resistance to common illnesses (cold, bronchitis)

YES, you can build a tolerance and a dependence to it. Marijuana Marijuana can actually be classified as a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogen based on the strand or potency, but for all intents and purposes, we will classify marijuana as a mild hallucinogen. Can you become dependent on marijuana? YES, you can build a tolerance and a dependence to it.

Can marijuana use affect your driving? If so, how? Yes, much like how alcohol affects your driving. It can slow your reaction time and impair your judgment.

Marijuana and School Marijuana and school don’t mix. Marijuana makes it harder for users to concentrate and slows down thinking. One of the prevalent effects of marijuana is the decline in school performance. Marijuana damages the user’s memory and things such as simple math problems become extremely difficult.

Drugs that are inhaled as vapors. What are…INHALANTS? Drugs that are inhaled as vapors. The 2 most common inhalants used for medical reasons are… Laughing Gas Asthma Inhaler

What type of effects might you experience from inhalants? Hyperactivity, loss of inhibitions, dizziness, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking and thinking, fear, anxiety, depression, DEATH **VIDEO on Air Duster picture

What is…ECSTASY? Ecstasy is a synthetic, psychoactive drug chemically similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. Ecstasy (MDMA) produces feelings of increased energy, euphoria, and distortions in time and perception. **VIDEO on picture Most commonly called “molly.” Coined terminology when on the drug – “rolling.”

Extremely Addictive Narcotic What is…HEROIN? Extremely Addictive Narcotic Most heroin is injected, creating additional risks for the user, who faces the danger of AIDS or other infections along with addiction. **VIDEO

What is…COCAINE? Cocaine was originally developed as a painkiller. Most often sniffed with the powder absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal tissues. Most rapid form of absorption is through injection, but this increases the risk of overdose. **VIDEO

What is…CRACK COCAINE? Crystal form of cocaine that is heated and smoked. It is so named because it makes a cracking or popping sound when heated. The most potent/riskiest form in which cocaine appears. Smoking crack allows it to reach the brain more quickly and brings an intense and immediate high that last about 15 minutes. **VIDEO

What is…CRYSTAL METH? CLUB DRUG White, Crystalline Drug Develops a strong desire to continue using it because the drug creates a false sense of happiness and well-being -- A “RUSH” of confidence, hyperactivity and energy. People take it by: Snorting Injecting Smoking Orally **VIDEO on picture most commonly used as a CLUB DRUG taken while partying in night clubs and at raves

A synthetic version of the male hormone What are…STEROIDS? A synthetic version of the male hormone testosterone What type of effects might this drug have on an adolescent’s body and mind?

Physical Effects increased cholesterol, rapid weight gain, Bones will mature early, growth can be stunted, can cause severe acne, increased cholesterol, rapid weight gain, liver damage, kidney tumors, heart disease and heart attacks.

Can cause breasts to grow in males. Can shrink the testes and reduce sperm count.

Mental Effects Feeling of paranoia, panic attacks, depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts

ROID RAGE Makes abusers more irritable and aggressive. can lead to violent behavior, crime, assault and rape. Makes abusers more irritable and aggressive.

With all the bad side effects, death included, why do you think people still use drugs?

What would be some alternatives to drug or substance use?