WHAT EVERY YOUTH SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DRUGS AND DRUG ABUSE…

You have heard of drugs and the dangers of drug abuse. But what exactly are drugs? They can be classified under hallucinogens, stimulants, depressants and narcotics.

Hallucinogens are also known as ‘mind benders’. They include marijuana and hashish. These drugs are abused for sociability, exhilaration and to escape problems in live. These drugs are consumed orally. Symptoms of abuse include talkativeness, lassitude, possible impairment of judgement, distorted perception of time and distance, difficulty thinking clearly and remembering. Strong drugs or large doses may cause hallucinations. Dangers of abuse involve the potential to create psychological dependence. There may also be acute panic reaction and users of strong drugs may feel suicidal

Stimulants are drugs which include cocaine and amphetamines. Cocaine is abused to hide feelings of hunger, thirst and fatigue. Amphetamines are abuse to combat boredom and to stay awake. Symptoms of abuse include hyperactivity, irritability, aggressiveness, loss of appetite and insomnia. In addition, amphetamines can cause dizziness, increased sweating and unusually bright, shiny eyes. Dangers of abuse involve psychological dependence with little desire to be cured. There may be severe depression and nervous exhaustion from large doses.

Depressants are drugs which includes barbiturates and tranquillisers. Depressants are used in treatment of high blood

pressure, epilepsy and insomnia. They are also used as a relaxant before and during surgery, and as sedative in both mental and physical illnesses. Symptoms of abuse include the appearance of drunkenness such as slurred speech and staggering. These drugs are dangerous because they can lead to physical and psychological dependence and despondency. Injection with a non-sterile needle can cause diseases like hepatitis. Abrupt withdrawal can cause death.

Narcotics are drugs which include heroin, codeine and morphine. Codeine is used as a cough suppressant while morphine is used as a painkiller. Symptoms of abuse include drowsiness, slurred speech, loss of appetite constricted pupils, flushed face and needle scars on arms. These drugs are dangerous because they can build physical dependence, and cause poor judgement, loss of self-control and limited attention span. The cure rate for addicts is extremely low and death often results from overdose or from infections such as hepatitis.