Commonly Abused Drugs

1. Commonly Abused Drugs Mr. Breiner 10th Grade Health

2. Topics • Narcotics • Hallucinogens • Inhalants • Sedative Hypnotics/ Depressants • Steroids • Stimulants • Cannabis

3. Narcotics • Types: • Opium-white milky fluid from the seedpod of the poppy plant • Morphine- naturally occurring substance extracted from the poppy plant • Heroin- processed from morphine • Codeine- painkiller produced from morphine

4. Narcotics • Opium • Crude opium is derived from a poppy flower pod • Extremely addictive • Smoked/illegal • Signs of use include: • Low, raspy voice, weight loss, relaxed muscles, loss of coordination, slow, slurred speech, track marks • Withdrawal Symptoms • Dilated pupils, insomnia, stomach ache, increased blood pressure • Schedule I

5. Narcotics • Morphine • Can be prescribed as a painkiller • Injected, snorted, smoked, or swallowed • Causes addiction and severe withdrawal symptoms • Codeine • Can be prescribed • Seen in cough suppressants/medicine • Swallowed • Available in small amounts in some OTC medicines

6. Narcotics • Heroin (smack, junk, brother, garbage) • No prescription use • Injected, snorted, smoked • Extremely addictive • Can cause respiratory arrest and death • Severe withdrawal symptoms

7. Hallucinogens • Types: LSD, PCP, MDMA, Psilocybin, Mescaline • LSD- acid, doses, beast, Lucy, diamond- Schedule I • Most powerful hallucinogen • One once hit = 567,000 hits of fifty micrograms • Flashbacks – (phenomenon when trips starts without another dose of the drug) • Tolerance builds quickly and once reached, further use of the same amount will not produce effects until abstinence from the drug occurs for 3 to 7 days

8. Hallucinogens • MDMA- Ecstasy- used at rave parties- Schedule I • Tolerance builds quickly and overdose is possible • Stays in body/ detected through urine for 2 to 4 days • Warning signs include: • Presence of pacifiers, suckers, strobe lights, and candy dispensers • PCP- angel dust, dust- Schedule I • Causes bizarre behavior, suicides, and violent criminal acts • Disassociative anesthetic • Onset of effect occurs within 2-5 minutes, peaks within 15-30 minutes, lasts for 4-6 hours • Signs of use: drunken appearance, slurred speech, hallucinations • Physical effects • Loss of sensitivity to pain, lack of coordination, stupor or coma state

9. Inhalants • Examples: amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, nail polish remover, glue, paint thinner… • No controlled substances • Inhalation causes kidney damage, brain damage, and possible death • Produces quick high that last a few minutes and achieve through inhaling fumes through huffing, sniffing, or bagging

10. Sedative Hypnotics/ Depressants • Types: Barbiturates, Benzodiazepine, • Schedule II • Benzodiazepine commonly known as tranquilizers • Xanax • Librium • Valium • Can be prescribe, illegal when used without prescription • As a result of withdrawal, may cause medical emergency or death when heavy use is abruptly stopped • Combing with alcohol is extremely dangerous

11. Sedative Hypnotics/ Depressants • Date Rape Drugs • GHB • Rohypnol • Ketamine (hallucinogen by chemical)-animal anesthetic • GBL • Colorless, odorless, tasteless • When slipped into a drink, cause is extreme relaxation, feeling of intoxication, loss of short term memory

12. Steroids • Types: Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids, Corticosteroids • Causes “roid rages” • Abuse of steroids causes: • Increase aggressiveness, cause permanent masculination of a female, liver damage, deepened voice, reduced sperm count, sterility, painful urination, missed menstrual periods, increased facial hair, increased muscle and body mass, and premature ossification (stunted growth) • Why do people use steroids?

13. Stimulants • Types: Cocaine, Crack, Amphetamines, Methamphetamines, Caffeine, Ephedrine • Stimulants cause increased blood pressure, breathing, increased alertness, quickened movements, and racing heart • Used to Disguise fatigue, relieve drowsiness, and treat hyperactive children • Amphetamine- Schedule I • Used to be used as an OTC diet pill • No longer legally sold for this purpose

14. Stimulants • Methamphetamine- meth, crank, crystal meth, crystal tea, crystal, ice, speed, chalk, glass • Schedule II • Highly addictive • Effects similar to cocaine • Can be fatal with one use • Cocaine- a white powder extracted from the leaves of a coca plant • What is the difference between cocaine and crack? • Schedule II • Highly addictive • Can cause stroke, heart attack, or seizure

15. Stimulants • Caffeine • Stimulant found in many sodas/ colas and some diet pills • The intense down period following a stimulant high is called a crash

16. Cannabis • Types: Marijuana, Hashish – Schedule I • What is Hashish? • Most common used Illegal drug • 400 chemicals found in smoking marijuana • THC- active ingredient, 8-15% content in today’s marijuana • Stays in the body for approximately 30 days • Why? • Causes euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, clammy skin

17. Cannabis • Continued use causes: • Amotivational syndrome • Trouble with law • More drugs (gateway drug) • Psychological dependence • Also has caused an increase in emergency room visits • Raich v. Ashcroft

18. Resources • Lento, R.(2003) Teens & drugs: Trends, signs, & symptoms. Allentown PA, Lehigh Valley Drug & Alcohol Intake Unit. • Meeks, L., Heit, P., & Page, R. (2005). Health and wellness. Columbus, OH: Glencoe/ McGraw-Hill Publishing • Povilaitis, D. & Seip, M. (2004). Health, safety, and wellness/fitness curriculum. Emmaus High School, PA: East Penn School District.