Name:
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Drug Information Research Packet
Teens.drugabuse.gov
Kidshealth.org/teen/drug
Above the influence
CDC
WHO
NIDA
Drug Categories
Stimulants
Definition: A substance that raises levels of physiological and/or nervous activity in the body.
Examples: Caffeine, cocaine, crack, Ritalin, amphetamines
Effects: exhaustion, depression, irregular heart-beat, high body temp., hostility, loss appetite, seizures, death.
Increases alertness, heart rate, blood pressure. Lowers fatigue, sleeplessness. Can cause hallucinations and
delusions.
Depressants:
Definition: Drugs that inhibit the function of the CNS.
Examples: Alcohol, sleep aids, tranquilizers, barbiturates, benzodiazepines
Effects: Slow brain function, poor concentration, slowed pulse and breathing, dizziness, slurred speech,
impairment of memory, judgment and coordination. Depression. Drowsiness, hallucinations, high/low BP.
Fever, dilated pupils, difficulty urinating, sleep problems, fatigue. Delirium.
Narcotics
Definition: A drug or other substance effecting mood or behavior and sold for non-medical purposes,
especially an illegal one.
Examples: Heroin, morphine, opium, codeine, methadone
Effects: Sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, reduced pain, euphoria. Highly addictive. Tolerance builds quickly.
Hallucinogens
Definition: A substance which produces hallucinations. Users see images, hear sounds and feel sensations that
seem very real but do not exist. Psychedelic.
Examples: Mushrooms, acid, ketamine, PCP, peyote.
Effects: disorganized thinking, mood disturbances, paranoia. Body temp/HR fluctuation. Sweating, chills,
anxiety, panic attacks, flashbacks, permanent brain damage. Dizziness, eye movement.
Inhalants
Definition: Inhalants are chemicals found in ordinary household or workplace products that people inhale on
purpose to get high.
Examples: paint thinners, degreaser, gas glue, felt tip markers, sprays, fabric protector, lighters, propane,
whipped cream dispensers.
Effects: Confusion, nausea, slurred speech, lack of coord. Euphoria, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness,
hallucinations, delusions, headaches, seizures.
Club Drugs
Definition: Drugs used by young adults at dance parties, raves and clubs.
Examples: MDMA, GBH, Ecstasy, Ketamine, Molly
Effects: heart racing, chest pain, mouth dryness, tension, nausea, diarrhea, distorted perception, false
confidence and energy, risk taking, dehydration, sleeplessness, slowed decision making. Amnesia and brain
problems.
Individual Drugs
Marijuana
Definition: The dried leaves flowers stems and seeds from the CANNABIS plant. Contains THC. Can be
concentrating into Hashish or hash oil.
Common Names: weed, pot, reefer, grass, dope, ganja, mary jane, green crack, giggle butt, chronic
Effects: Faster HR, blood shot eyes, short term memory problems, reduce ability to concentrate, shallow
breathing, increased appetite, slow reaction time, dizziness, panic, anxiety, poor coordination, hallucinations,
relax or elevate the mood, euphoria
Hallucinogens
Psilocybin
Definition: Hallucinogenic alkaloid found in some toadstools or extracted from certain mushrooms.
Common Names: Magic mushrooms, boomers, pizza toppings, button caps
Effects: Lightheaded, dizziness, sweating, nausea, shivering, disorientation, depression, anxiety, numbness of
the tongue, lips or mouth, hallucinations
Hallucinogens
Methamphetamines
Definition: A highly addictive manufactured stimulant drug that affects the CNS. It’s a white, odorless, bitter
tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol
Common Names: crystal, crystal glass, meth, Christina, tina, chalk, chalk dust, ice, speed
Effects: false sense of well-being and energy, severe crash, physical and mental breakdown, decreased hunger,
weight loss, disturbed sleep, aggression, hallucinations, paranoia, convulsion
Stimulant
Cocaine/Crack
Definition: Powerful stimulant obtained from the cocoa plant.
Common Names: Coke, coca, flake, blow, white, toot, dream, foofoo dust
Effects: weight loss, tooth decay, severe depression, loss of appetite, increase hr, bp, body temp, disturbed
sleep, heart attack, death.
Stimulant
Heroin
Definition: Highly addictive analgesic drug derived from morphine, often used illicitly as a narcotic producing
euphoria.
Common Names: smack, junk, H, black tar, horse, skag
Effects: shortness of breath, droopy appearance, dry mouth, slowed breathing, nausea, hypothermia, coma,
loss of memory, depression, insomnia, death, clouded mental function sedation or drowsiness. Euphoria.
Narcotic
Ecstasy
Definition: A stimulant drug that is chemically related to mescaline and amphetamines that is used illicitly for
its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects. Synthetic and psychoactive.
Common Names: E, X, XTC, atom, hug, love drug, beans, clarity, candy, skittles, vowels, MDMA, molly
Effects: loss of appetite, fevers, seizures, extreme increase in body temp, confusion, depression, impaired
judgment, brain damage, memory loss, nerve damage, kidney failure.
Club drugs