Drugs Flashcards
what is a drug
A drug is any substance that, when taken or administered into the body has a physiological effect.
what are the three types of drugs
depressant, stimulant, hallucinogen
depressant
means it slows down the messages travelling between your brain and body. They can affect concentration and coordination. They slow down the person’s ability to respond to unexpected situations.
Stimulant
speed up the messages between the brain and the body. Large doses of stimulants can cause over-stimulation, causing anxiety, panic, seizures, headaches, stomach cramps, aggression and paranoia.
Hallucinogen
distort a person’s perception of reality. People who have taken them may imagine they see or hear things, or what they see may be distorted.
unidentified additives
Unidentified additives in drugs, known as adulterants, can pose significant health risks due to their unpredictable effects. These adulterants are often used to mimic effects, increase profits, or prolong supplies, but their presence introduces dangerous and often fatal consequences for users
examples of unidentfied additives
levamisole, baking soda, corn starch, rat poison, boric acid
Why are some drugs not subject to quality control?
When drugs are described as “not subject to quality controls,” it means they are not manufactured, regulated, or tested according to the standards set for safety, purity, and potency, as is required for legal medications.
what are the penalties for
Federal and state laws have penalties for possessing, using, producing, selling, or driving under the influence of illegal drugs.
what are the penalties
- Penalties range from fines and rehabilitation orders to disqualification from driving and imprisonment.
legal drugs
Some drugs, such as alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and various prescribed and over-the-counter medications, are legal but may be subject to restrictions based on age, location of use, driving and point of sale regulations.
illegal drugs
- Other drugs such as cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin, are illegal. They are not subject to quality controls and the amount of active ingredient is not consistent. A person using illegal drugs can never be sure of how strong the drug is, or what is actually in it.
potential of harm due to drugs
- All drugs have the potential to cause harm. As use increases, so does the potential for harm.
- There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk
why do drugs affect people differently
- Size
- Weight
- Health
- Whether the person has taken the drug previously
- Whether other drugs are in their system
- Depend on the amount taken. It can be hard to judge how much of an illegal drug has been taken, as they are uncontrolled, so quality and strength will vary from one batch to another.
other names for heroin
Smack, gear, hammer,
the dragon, H, dope, junk, harry
what type of drug is heroin
depressant
what group does heroin belong too
Belongs to a group of drugs known as opiates that are from the opium poppy
what does heroin look like
Fine white powder, Coarse off-white granules or Tiny pieces of light brown ‘rock’
how is heroin used
Heroin is usually injected into a vein, but it’s also smoked (‘chasing the dragon’)
immediate effects of heroin
- Intense pleasure and pain relief
- Relaxation, drowsiness and clumsiness
- Confusion
- Slurred and slow speech
- Slow breathing and heartbeat
- Dry mouth
- Tiny pupils
- Reduced appetite
and vomiting
long term effects of heroin
- Intense sadness
- Constipation
- Damaged heart, lungs, liver
and brain - Vein damage and skin, heart
and lung infections from injecting - Needing to use more to get the same effect
- Dependence on heroin
other names for cannabis
Marijuana, yarndi, pot, weed, hash, dope, gunja, joint
what type of drug is cannabis
Depressant, may also produce hallucinogenic effects.
The main active chemical in cannabis is THC.
what does cannabis look like
green/brown dried leaves and flowers (buds), plant resin or oil
how is cannabis used
Cannabis is usually smoked or eaten.
immediate effects of cannabis
The effects of cannabis may be felt immediately if smoked, or within an hour or two if eaten and effects may include:
* Feeling relaxed and sleepy
* Spontaneous laughter and excitement
* Increased appetite
* Dry mouth
* Quiet and reflective mood
long term effects of cannabis
Regular use of cannabis may eventually cause:
* Memory loss
* Learning difficulties
* Mood swings
* Difficulty having children
* Needing to use more to get the same effect
* Dependence on cannabis
* Financial, work and social problems
* Anxiety, depression and psychotic symptoms
what are other names for cocaine
C, coke, nose candy, snow, white lady, toot, Charlie, blow
what type of drug is cocaine
Stimulant
where does cocaine come from
Cocaine comes from the leaves of the coca bush
what does coaine look like
Fine white powder
Crack cocaine- crystals ranging in colour from white or cream to transparent with a pink or yellow hue
how is cocaine used
Cocaine is most
commonly snorted. It can also be
injected, rubbed into the gums,
added to drinks or food.
immediate effects of cocaine
- Happiness and confidence
- Talking more
- Feeling energetic and alert
- Feeling physically strong and
mentally sharp - Reduced appetite
- Dry mouth
- Enlarged (dilated) pupils
- Higher blood pressure and faster heartbeat and breathing Higher body temperature
- Unpredictable, violent or aggressive behaviour
- Indifference to pain
long term effects of cocaine
Regular use of cocaine may eventually cause:
* Insomnia and exhaustion
* Depression
* Anxiety, paranoia and psychosis
* Eating disorders and weight loss
* Sexual dysfunction
* Hypertension and irregular
heartbeat
* Sensitivity to light and sound
* Hallucinations
* Heart disease and death
other names for ice
Crystal meth, shabu,
crystal, glass, shard, P
what type of drug is ice
stimulant
how is it different from speed
- It’s stronger, more addictive and therefore has more harmful side effects than the powder form of methamphetamine known as speed
what does ice look like
Ice usually comes as small chunky clear crystals that look like ice.
how is ice used
Ice is generally smoked or injected, however can be swallowed or snorted.
immediate effects of ice
- Feelings of pleasure and confidence
- Increased alertness and energy
- Repeating simple things like itching and scratching
- Enlarged pupils and dry mouth
- Teeth grinding and
excessive sweating - Fast heart rate and
breathing - Reduced appetite
- Increased sex drive
long term effects of ice
With regular use, ice may eventually cause:
* Extreme weight loss due to reduced appetite
* Restless sleep
* Dry mouth and dental problems
* Trouble concentrating
* Breathlessness
* Muscle stiffness
* Anxiety, paranoia and violence
* Depression
* Heart and kidney problems
* Increased risk of stroke
* Needing to use more to get the same effect
* Dependence on ice
* Financial, work or social problems
other names for speed
amphetamine, fast,
up, uppers, louee, goey, whiz
what type of drug is speed
stimulant
what does speed look like
white powder, tablets, crystals or capsules
how is speed used
generally swallowed, injected or smoked. Can also be snorted
immediate effects of speed
- Happiness and confidence
- Talking more and feeling energetic
- Repeating simple things like itching and scratching
- Large pupils and dry mouth
- Fast heart beat and breathing
- Teeth grinding
- Reduced appetite
- Excessive sweating
- Increased sex drive
long term effects
Regular use of amphetamines may eventually cause:
* Reduced appetite and extreme weight loss
* Restless sleep
* Dry mouth and dental problems
* Trouble concentrating
* Difficulty breathing
* Muscle stiffness
* Anxiety and paranoia
* Depression
* Heart and kidney problems
* Increased risk of stroke
* Needing to use more to get the same effect
* Dependence on amphetamines
* Financial, work and social problems
other names for ecstasy
Other names- Eckies, E, XTC, pills, pingers, bikkies, flippers, molly, MD
what type of drug is ecstasy
Ecstasy/MDMA is a stimulant drug
what does ecstasy look like
Ecstasy/MDMA comes in a tablet form and is usually swallowed. The pills come in different colours and sizes, It can also come as capsules, powder or crystal.
how is ecstasy used
swallowed or snorted
immediate effects of ecstasy
- Feeling happy, energetic and confident
- Large pupils
- Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
- Heightened senses (sight, hearing and touch)
- Excessive sweating and skin tingles
- Muscle aches and pains
- Nausea and reduced appetite
- Fast heartbeat
- Dehydration
- Heat stroke
- Drinking extreme amounts
of water (can cause death
long term effects of ecstasy
With regular use, ecstasy/MDMA may eventually cause:
* Depression
* Needing to use more to get the same effect
* Dependence on
ecstasy
* Financial, work and
social problems
other names for lsd
Acid, trips, tabs, microdots, dots, Lucy
what type of drug is lsd
hallucinogens (also known as ‘psychedelics’)
what is lsd made form
LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) is a synthetic chemical, made from a substance found in ergot, which is a fungus that infects rye (grain)
what does lsd look like
The most common form of LSD, is drops of LSD solution dried onto gelatin sheets, pieces of blotting paper or sugar cubes
how is lsd used
swallowed
immediate effects of lsd
- Euphoria and wellbeing
- Dilation of pupils
- Seeing and hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations)
- Confusion and trouble concentrating
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Fast or irregular heart beat
- Increased body temperature
- Breathing quickly
- Vomiting
- Facial flushes, sweating and chills
- Sometimes users experience a ‘bad trip’, involving a disturbing hallucination. This can lead to panic and risky behaviour
long term effects of lsd
- People who regularly use LSD may eventually experience flashbacks. Flashbacks are hallucinations that occur weeks, months or even years after the drug was last taken. This can be disturbing, especially when the hallucination is frightening.
- Flashbacks can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness or exercise and usually last for a minute or two.
- In addition to flashbacks, regular use of LSD may eventually cause:
- Psychological dependence on
hallucinogens - Financial, work and social problems
