1. Commonly Abused Drugs

2. 1.Depressants- slow down the activity of the
brain and CNS
-alcohol - #1 mood altering drug in the U.S.
-barbiturates – usually prescribed as sleep aid
-tranquilizers – valium and Librium
-calms emotions without severely
decreasing alertness

3. 2. Narcotics- strong pain killers, sometimes classified
with depressants; derived from the juice
of the opium poppy flower
Opium – drug in its pure form is illegal
Morphine – legal as a pain killer, illegal otherwise
Codeine – prescription pain reliever
Heroin – opium in its pure form
-20 times more powerful than morphine
-illegal in U.S.
- extremely addictive

4. 3. Stimulants- speed up the body processes
create a feeling of pleasure
Nicotine – drug in tobacco
- very addictive and poisonous

5. Caffeine- may be the #1 addicted to drug in
U.S.
-found in coffee, tea, soda, chocolate
-can result in nervousness and insomnia

6. Amphetamines- synthetic drugs, “uppers”,
“speed”, “crank”, “ice”
-abuse results in nervousness, insomnia,
aggressiveness, loss of appetite, and
emotional problems

7. Cocaine- from the leaves of the coca plant
-medically used as a local anesthetic
-abuse results in; increased heart rate,
increased BP, weight loss, sleeplessness,
hallucinations and paranoia, and death from
seizures and respiratory failure

8. Crack- extremely addictive form of cocaine
-more addictive because of the way it is
processed and it is smoked

9. 4. Hallucinogens- cause hallucinations and
intense mood swings
LSD- acid
-”flashbacks” can occur months or even
years after last dose

10. PCP- angel dust
-impairs thought and speech
-people on PCP can generate extreme
strength, because the drug blocks pain
receptors

11. 5. Other Dangerous Drugs
Marijuana and Hashish
-derived from the hemp plant, THC is the
mind altering drug
-contains same carcinogens as tobacco
plus 150 other chemicals
-gateway drug

12. 6. Inhalants (huffing)
-household compounds, glues, aerosols,
solvents, etc
-impairs mental processes and kills brain
cells

13. 7. Anabolic Steroids
-synthetic testosterone
-kidney and liver damage
-violence
-heart disease and stroke

14. 8. Designer Drugs
-ecstasy and other home made drugs.

15. Drug List for Research Project
Marijuana -
Cocaine
Heroin
LSD
Amphetamine
Methamphetamine
Ecstasy
THC
Rohypnol
GHB
PCP
Codeine
Nitrous Oxide
Morphine
Opium
Oxycontin
Crack Cocaine
Barbiturates
Narcotics
Inhalants
Depressants
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
Anabolic Steroids