Legal and Illegal Drugs

The Facts about Legal Drugs

Careless, excessive use of some OTC medications can cause addiction, physical dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms.

More people die in the US from adverse reactions to legal medications than from all illegal drugs combined.

The Facts About Illegal Drugs

In 2001 approximately 36% of the US population aged 12 and older reported using illegal drugs.

82% of local jail and state prison inmates reported that they used used drugs at some point in their lives.

28% of all state and federal prison inmates reported being under the influence of drugs at the time they committed their crimes.

Categories of Legal Drugs

Over the Counter Medications Prescription Medications Legal drugs are taken or prescribed by

doctors to provide pain relief, improve conditions of minor illnesses, or as sedatives or tranquilizers.

Over the Counter Medications Aspirin Tylenol Advil Cold Medicines Antacids Herbal Medicines

Side Effects From Legal Drugs

Drowsiness Poor Coordination Liver and kidney damage Tolerance build up Breathing difficulties Increase Heart Rate Dependency Addiction

Prescription Medications

These are medicines that are prescribed by your doctor

Antibiotics Penicillin Valium Sleeping Pills Codeine (This medicine is used in many

drugs for pain)

Commonly Abused Prescription Medications

Opiates:Prescribe for PAIN RELIEF

Central Nervous System DepressantsPrescribed for: anxiety and sleep disorders

StimulantsPrescribed for: sleep disorders, attention

disorders, and being overweight

Side Effects from Commonly Abused Prescription Medications

Opiates: Cause drowsiness, and may interfere with your breathing

Depressants:decrease brain activity,and also cause drowsiness

Stimulants: Increase Heart rate, increase brain activity, depress appetite, and cause sleep disorders

Drug Approval Process

Developing a drug is very expensive and can take up to 10 yrs before its approved by the FDA

Pre-clinical Research and Development (1-3 years)

Clinical Research and Development (2-10 years)

Approved Drugs are 96% Safe

Types of Illegal Drugs Marijuana Speed Ecstasy Heroine Cocaine Rave Crack Ice

Making Illegal Drugs

No Drug Approval Process When you take an Illegal drug you have

no idea what will happen to when you take it.

If a bum on the street wanted to give the rest of his hamburger would you take it?Taking an illegal drug is the same thing

Consequences of taking Illegal Drugs Criminal Record Going to Jail or Prison Overdose Addiction Destroy Family Life Brain Damage – Mental Disorders Death