Illicit Drugs

What is a drug? A drug is any chemical substance

that produces physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in the user

Heroin

Heroin is an opiate processed directly from the extracts of the opium poppy.

Originally created to help cure people of addiction to morphine.

mimics the action of endorphins, creating a sense of well-being

intravenous injection

Heroin

Cocaine

obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. both a stimulant of the central nervous

system and an appetite suppressant a potent central nervous system stimulant initial signs of stimulation are hyperactivity,

restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and euphoria

Side effects can include twitching, paranoia, and impotence

Cocaine

Methamphetamine “meth” or “ice” enters the brain and triggers a cascading

release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin

Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-washing, or assembling and disassembling objects

Withdrawal is characterized by excessive sleeping, eating and depression-like symptoms, often accompanied by anxiety and drug-craving

Methamphetamine

Crack Cocaine made popular during the early

1980s Used to be made using ether

which was extremely dangerous and often deadly

Now, “crack” is made using baking soda, or a similar “base” chemical, and ammonia

Feelings of “heaven on earth” when it is smoked and it is highly addictive

Feel effects almost instantly

Crack Cocaine

LSD A psychedelic Considered a recreational drug

and used for out-of-body meditation

Can cause long-term personality changes

“trips” very from one person to another

Some “acid” trips can be very disturbing to the taker because it causes powerful sensory and visual hallucinations

LSD

Ecstasy “MDMA” A psychedelic which gives more stimulant-like

effects than other psychedelics A club drug, used recreationally effects of MDMA include an increased

awareness of the senses, feelings of openness, euphoria, empathy, love, heightened self-awareness, feeling of mental clarity and an increased appreciation of music and movement

jaw clenching and elevated pulse, are common

Ecstasy

Opium formed from the latex released by

lacerating (or “scoring”) the immature seed pods of opium poppies

contains up to 16% morphine and is smoked by the user

Discovered in 1817 Users may experience problems

with their vision, feelings of claustrophobia and heaviness

Opium

Psilocybin Mushrooms fungi that contain the psychedelic

substances psilocybin and psilocin “Shrooms” are ground into a fine powder

and are usually ingested by putting the powder into tea and drinking it

Powerful hallucinogen that lasts 3-7 hours and the user can feel exhilarated or very distressed

Some people do not experience any effects

Psilocybin Mushrooms

Things to Consider You can’t predict the effect that a

drug can have on you—especially if it’s the first time you try it, and even if it’s a small amount or dose. Everyone's brain and body chemistry are different. Everyone's tolerance for drugs is different.

Using drugs can lead to abuse, addiction, serious health problems, and even death.

What is drug abuse?

A physical or psychological dependence on a drug

What is drug addiction?

Drug abuse is the use of a drug for any reason other than medical purposes, which results in the impaired physical, mental, emotional, or social well-being of the user.

Why do people abuse drugs?

the wish or belief that drugs can solve every problem

the pressure from friends to experiment

the enjoyment of drug effects

Legal Stuff Possession: Having controlled legal drugs

that are not obtained either directly from a doctor, or from a pharmacist using a valid prescription OR having controlled drugs which are illegal for use under any circumstance, like heroine or cocaine

Dealing: is illegally supplying or selling controlled drugs to users on a small scale

Trafficking: the illegal manufacture, distribution, and sale of these drugs to dealers on a large scale.

Treatment Treatment approaches for

narcotics abusers principally include drug-free maintenance in residential or out-patient facilities.

Rehabilitation services such as career development, counseling, and job skills training are also available