Drug Abuse

1. Drug Abuse • Illegal drugs-substances that are against the law for people of any age to manufacture, possess, buy or sell. • Drug abuse-use of a drug for non-medical purposes.

2. Marijuana • Marijuana-drug made from the hemp plant. • Known as the “gateway” drug because it is normally the first illegal drug a teen uses. • Effects of marijuana • Immediate effects • Inability to think or speak clearly. • Difficulty paying attention. • Loss of short-term memory.

3. Marijuana • Lack of coordination, slowed reaction time. • Increased heart rate and appetite. • Unusual sensitivity to sights and sounds. • Sadness and fear.

4. Marijuana • Long-term effects • Problems with normal body development in young users. • Damage to lung tissues and the immune cells that fight cancer. • Feelings of anxiety and panic. • Possible psychological dependence. • Possible inability to have children.

5. Stimulants • Stimulants-drugs that speed up the body’s functions. • Causes an increase in heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and provides a false sense of energy and power. • As the effects wear off the user feels exhausted and emotionally unbalanced.

6. Amphetamines • Amphetamines-strong stimulant drugs that speed up the nervous system. • Usually called speed or uppers. • Can be swallowed, inhaled, smoked or injected. • Physical effects include: • Increased aggressiveness • Mental illness • stroke

7. Amphetamines • Headaches • Heart attack • Physical collapse • Brain seizures • Irregular heartbeat • death

8. Cocaine And Crack • Cocaine-stimulant made from the coca plant. • Can be inhaled, smoked or injected. • Street names include: • Blow • Snow • coke • User gets a brief powerful feeling and confidence.

9. Cocaine And Crack • When the initial effect wears off the user becomes anxious and depressed. • Cocaine is highly addictive. • Dangers of use include: • Heart attack • Damage to the nasal membranes • Lung problems

10. Cocaine And Crack • Crack-a concentrated form of cocaine. • User feels more energetic and alert. • Followed by depression and craving more. • Crack is more addictive than cocaine.

11. Depressants • Depressants-drugs that slow down the body’s functions and reactions, including the heart and breathing rates. • Tranquilizers-prescription for anxiety, muscle spasms or sleeplessness. • Barbiturates • Hypnotics • Alcohol

12. Depressants • Depressants make the user feel relaxed and less anxious. • Can impair coordination and judgment. • Causes sleepiness. • Can become physically and psychologically dependent. • May become depressed and moody. • May cause coma or death.

13. Narcotics • Narcotics-drugs that relieve pain and dull the senses • Heroin-illegal • Morphine-legal but addictive. • Codeine-legal but addictive. • All of the above damage the liver, lungs, kidneys and the brain.

14. Hallucinogens • Hallucinogens-drugs that distort moods, thoughts and senses. • Users become disoriented, less sensitive to pain and violent. • Phencyclidine-known as PCP or angel dust • Lysergic acid diethylamide-known as LSD or acid.

15. Club Drugs • Club drugs-drugs that were originally available at nightclubs or raves. • Cause disorientation, nausea, unconsciousness and death. • Often used as a date rape drug. • Ecstasy-known as X or MDMA. • GHB-known as G or liquid ecstasy. • Rohypnol-known as a roofie. • Ketamine-known as special K or vitamin K

16. Inhalants • Inhalants-substances whose fumes are breathed in to produce mind altering sensations. • Often called huffing. • Causes nausea, mental confusion and loss of motor skills. • Poisons go directly to the brain causing permanent damage or death. • Glue • Gas • Spray paint

17. The Dangers Of Drug Use • The following are the dangers of drug use: • Brain damage • Coma • Death • Hepatitis • HIV • Injury • Pregnancy and/or STI’s