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 bodys
  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 bodys
  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 STIs