8th Grade Illegal Drugs

Stimulants, Depressants,

and Narcotics

Stimulants, Depressants and Narcotics

Three different classifications of drugs

Within each classification, there are different drugs

Controlled Drugs

Controlled Drug: a drug whose possession, manufacture, distribution, and sale are controlled by law.

Have very powerful effects on the body and mind

Prescription is needed

Illegal Drugs

Drug whose possession, manufacture, distribution and sale are against the law.

Stimulants

Increases alertness and attention and raises Blood pressure, Heart rate and breathing rate.

Legal Stimulants

Caffeine

Over-the-counter Drugs

Tolerance develops quickly

Can cause health problems and lead to withdrawal

Illegal Stimulants

Cocaine

Crack

Amphetamines

Methamphetamines

Cocaine

Highly addictive stimulant drug obtained from the leaves of the coca plant.

Two forms- powder which is snorted or injected into a vein OR purified form which is smoked

Crack

The purified form of cocaine that produces a rapid and intense reaction

People will feel effects quickly and effects will only last a few minutes.

Side-effects last a very long time.

Cocaine affects the Mind and Body-additional

effects Anxiety, restlessness, irritability and

insomnia Depression Increased aggressiveness Paranoia and hallucinations Criminal behavior to support addiction Increased risk of hepatitis and HIV Heart attack, stroke, irregular Heart beat Convulsions, collapse or death

Amphetamines

Chemically manufactured stimulants that are highly addictive.

Swallowed, injected, smoked or inhaled.

Amphetamines affect on the mind and body

Addiction Brain damage

Psychotic behavior Hallucinations

Insomnia Paranoia

Methamphetamines

Highly addictive drugs in the amphetamine family. Their use produces effects similar to cocaine.

Many methamphetamines are made in illegal laboratories.

Meth Labs are very dangerous!

Meth’s affect on the Body

Wakefulness Confusion Convulsions, Anxiety Paranoia Aggressiveness

Potentially lethal increase or decrease of body temperature and death

Damage to brain and blood vessels

Deterioration of a Meth User

Deterioration of a Meth User

Depressants

Slow down the activity of the CNS

Relax muscles, calm nerves, and cause sleepiness.

Depressants

Two Types

Sedatives: drugs that have a calming effect on behavior

Hypnotics: drugs that promote drowsiness and sleep

ALCOHOL: is a sedative-hypnotic drug

Sedatives

Barbituates: have been prescribed by physicians to help people or to treat anxiety and high BP. The legal use is monitored by a doctor because they are SO ADDICTIVE!

Sedatives

Tranquilizers: relax muscles and reduce anxiety. They are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, panic attacks, and mental illness.

In excessive doses, can cause depression, emotional disturbances, coma, and death

Sedatives

Methaqualone (Qualludes): a potent tranquillizer that was once used to treat anxiety and insomnia.

It was banned in the 1980’s from the U.S. because it was so addictive

Depressants- Date Rape Drug

Depressants associated with their use in sexual assaults.

Colorless, odorless, and tasteless

Can cause drowsiness, unconsciousness, seizures, coma and death

Date Rape Drugs

Drug Slipping: placing a drug in someone’s food or beverage without that person’s knowledge, therefore making them vulnerable to physical or sexual assault.

DRUG SLIPPING IS ILLEGAL!

Narcotics

A group of drugs that slow down the CNS, cause drowsiness, and can be used as painkillers.

Physicians use it to treat pain, relieve coughing, and cause numbness

Drowsiness is a well-known side-effect

Narcotics

Morphine: used to control pain. Tolerance and dependence develop quickly.

Codeine: Pain killer produced from Morphine. Used in some cough syrups and pain relievers.

Heroin: illegal narcotic derived from Morphine. No approved medical uses. Highly addictive and has serious side effects

Narcotic Side-effects

Inability to concentrate

Slow or troubled breathing

Constriction of pupils

Nausea Vomiting

Overdose can lead to…

Clammy skin Confusion Severe

drowsiness Convulsions Coma

Narcotic Withdrawal Symptoms

Severe Craving

Anxiety Muscle pain Diarrhea Vomiting

People who inject narcotics are at a high risk for contracting HIV and hepatitis, due to sharing contaminated needles.