Drugs

Drug a substance other than food that changes the way the body or mind function Drug Misuse incorrect use of a prescription drug or OTC drug Drug Abuse intentional use of a drug without medical or health reasons

Way Drugs Enter the Body By mouth – Most common way is be swallowing – Drug travels to the stomach and small intestines and is absorbed into the bloodstream By injection – Syringe and needle – Into a muscle or blood vessel causing immediate results

Way Drugs Enter the Body By inhalation – Inhaled through the nose or mouth – Enter bloodstream through the lungs – Snorting-sniffing drugs through the nose Absorbed through the mucous membranes of nasal passage By absorption – Absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes into bloodstream – skin

Way Drugs Enter the Body By implantation – Places under the skin where the drug can be released into the bloodstream

Drugs Dose: amount of a drug that is taken at one time Influences on the effects of drugs – Weight – Age – Feelings – health

Prescription Drugs Medicine is a drug that is used to treat, prevent, or diagnose illness Rx drug is a medicine that fights specific illnesses and infections and can only be obtained with a prescription (Rx).

Prescription continued Rx must be prepared and sold by a pharmacist Brand name – A drug with a registered name or trademark given to a drug by a pharmaceutical company Generic Name – Same ingredients as the brand name but are less expensive

Prescription continued Rx – Patient’s full name – Patient’s birth date – Name of drug – Form of drug – Dose – Directions – Physician’s name, address, phone number and signature

Prescription continued Rx must be prepared and sold by a pharmacist – Brand Name A drug with a registered name or trademark given to a drug by a pharmaceutical company. – Generic Name Same ingredients as brand name but are less expensive.

Over the Counter A drug that can be purchased without a RX in stores such as a grocery store or drug Aspirin, vitamins and cold medicines – Relieve signs and symptoms of illness Indications for use – A symptom or condition for which the OTC drug should be used Contraindications for use – A symptom or condition for which the OTC should not be used

Guidelines to Follow Obtain permission from Doctors and parents Don’t purchase OTC if package is broken Follow directions Stop if you get side effects Don’t take after expiration date Don’t participate in activities that put you at risk if you are taking an OTC drug

New Drug Laws The new legislation, part of the renewed Patriot Act, requires consumers to show a photo ID and sign a log book when they buy products containing the nasal decongestant, pseudoephedrine. The law is designed to make it harder for criminals to obtain pseudoephedrine, which is used to make methamphetamines.

Inhalants Chemicals that affect mood and behavior when inhaled Most inhalants are not controlled drugs Often are the first drug that a young person uses because inhalants are easily accessible Quick high but lasts only a few minutes

Inhalants continued Huffing/sniffing – Inhaling fumes Bagging – Inhaling fumes from a bag to get high Balloons, aerosol cans Deprives the brain of oxygen

Inhalants continued Can cause heart failure and instant death Cause the central nervous system to slow down Interferes with breathing and may cause suffocation May experience euphoria, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, and uncontrollable laughter

Inhalants continued Damage the immune system, heart, kidneys, blood and bone marrow Can cause leukemia or lead poisoning Reasoning and judgment are impaired May experience hallucinations May develop psychological or physical dependence

Inhalants continued Nail polish remover Furniture polish Gasoline Glue Hairspray Lighter fluid Marker fluid Paint thinner Rubber cement Spray Paint

Ecstasy (MDMA) An illegal psychoactive drug that has a stimulating effect and ability to cause hallucinations Made in a laboratory Can be taken in pill form, snorted, or injected

MDMA continued Confusion, depression, insomnia, severe anxiety, paranoia, or extreme fear Muscle tension, involuntary teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills, and sweating Increases heartbeat rate and blood pressure Harm memory and pleasure centers in the brain

MDMA continued Effects of ecstasy can last between 3 to 6 hours Illegal drug = different ingredients each time you take it.

Hallucinogens A drug that interferes with the sense and causes hallucinations Hallucination – An imagined experience that seems real Increase heart rate, blood pressure, tremors and nausea Alter perception of reality, time and environment, intensify mood and cause rapid mood swings, flashback

Hallucinogens continued Can develop a tolerance Impair reasoning, judgment and slow reaction time Examples – LSD (acid, swallowed, sniffed, or sublingual) – PCP (angel dust, smoked swallowed, sniffed) – Shrooms (eaten) – MDMA (swallowed, sniffed, injected)

Stimulants A drug that speeds up the activities of the central nervous “uppers” Increase blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate Teen use this illegal drug to lose weight, stay awake and feeling high Develop physical and psychological dependence

Stimulants continued Within minutes of taking a stimulant a person can suffer from a heart attack, seizure, stop breathing or die May experience tremors, vomiting, increased alertness, quickened movements, a racing heart and increased blood pressure. Can become confused, anxious, aggressive, and paranoid

Stimulants continued Cocaine Coke, snorted, injected, smoked Crack Rock, smoked Amphetamines Diet pills, swallowed Methamphetamines Meth, crystal meth, swallowed, snorted, injected, or smoked) Methacathinone Speed, swallowed, snorted, injected, smoked Ephedrine Effies, swallowed, inhaled

Narcotics A drug that slows down or depresses the central nervous system and relieves pain Can be prescribed by a doctor Suppress cough and control diarrhea May experience euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, rapid heartbeat and clammy skin Large doses – Induce sleep and may cause vomitting

Narcotics continues Can not use reasoning and judgment to make responsible decisions, become depressed and lazy May lead to physical dependence – Will have withdrawal symptoms

Narcotics continues Opium O, smoked Morphine Morph, injected, snorted, smoked, swallowed Codeine swallowed Heroin Smack, junk, injected, snorted, smoked

Sedatives-Hypnotics A drug that depresses the activities of the central nervous system (sleeping pills. Tranquilizers) Sedatives – Calming effect on a person’s behavior Hypnotic – Produces drowsiness and sleep

Sedatives-Hypnotics Don’t use with alcohol Causes slurred speech, lack of coordination, clammy skin, dilated pupils, inability to stay awake May develop depression Physical dependence Examples – Barbiturates (bars, swallowed) – Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers, swallowed, injected)