Drugs

By Sarah Sposato

Narcotics Also known as opiods Referred to a variety of substances that dull senses and relieve

pain Street names: Smack, Junk, MPTP, Purple Drank, OC, Oxy Can be swallowed, smoked, sniffed, injected General effects: slow physical activity, constriction of pupils,

flushing of face, constipation, nausea, vomiting, slow breathing Withdrawal: watery eyes, sweating, restlessness, irritability,

tremors, cravings, chills, increased heart rate Overdose: constricted pupils, clammy skin, confusion,

convulsions, extreme drowsiness

Heroin (Schedule I) Highly addictive and most rapidly acting of

opiatesStreet names: Big H, Black Tar, Chiva, SmackInjected, smoked, sniffed or snortedEffects: drowsiness, restricted pupils, nausea,

dry mouth, warm flushing of skinOverdose: slow breathing, blue lips and

fingernails, convulsions, coma, death

Methadone (Schedule II)Man-made synthetic drugStreet names: Amidone, Fizzies, Salvia, PastoraSwallowed or injectedEffects: sweating, itchy skin, sleepinessOverdose: slow breathing, blue lips, weak pulse,

coma, death

Morphine (Schedule II)Non-synthetic, high potential for abuseKnown for relief or severe mainStreet names: Dreamer, Emsel, Mister Blue,

Morf, MorphoEffects: euphoria, relief of pain, decrease in

appetiteOverdose: cold/clammy skin, low blood pressure,

sleepiness, slow pulse, coma, death

Oxycodone (Schedule II)Semi-synthetic narcotic analgesicStreet names: Hillbilly Heroin, Kicker, Ox, PercEffects: euphoria, relaxation, pain relief,

sedation, constipationOverdose: drowsiness, confusion, cold/clammy

skin, pinpoint pupils, fainting, coma, death

DepressantsPut you to sleep, relieve anxiety, and muscle spasms

and prevent seizuresStreet names: Barbs, Benzos, Downers, GHB, Reds,

RoofiesAbused to experience euphoriaEffects: put you to sleep, relieve anxiety, cause

amnesia, slurred speech, weakness, headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting

Overdose: high doses or use with alcohol can slow heart rate and breathing

Barbituates (Schedule II, III, IV)

Depressants that produce a wide spectrum of CNS depression from mild sedation to coma

Street names: Barbs, Block busters, Goof balls, Yellow Jackets

Swallowed or injectedEffects: euphoria, impaired memory, irritability,

sleepinessOverdose: shallow respiration, clammy skin,

dilated pupils, rapid pulse, coma, death

Benzodiazepines (Schedule IV)

Depressants that produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety, and muscle spasms

Prescriptions: Valium, Xanax, KlonopinStreet Names: Benzos, downersEffects: amnesia, hostility, irritability, slowed

Central Nervous System, sleepinessOverdose: shallow respiration, clammy skin,

dilated pupils, weak or rapid pulse, coma, death

GHB (Schedule I)Gamma-Hydroxybutyric AcidAn industrial solvent used to produce polyurethane,

pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other productsStreet names: Easy Lay, G, Goop, Liquid XEffects: euphoria, drowsiness, decreased anxiety,

confusion, tremors, increased heart rate, psychotic thoughts

Overdose: seizures, slow heart rate, low body temperature, vomiting, nausea, death

StimulantsSpeed up the body’s systems Includes prescription drugs and illicitly produced

drugsStreet names: Coke, Crank, Crystal, Flake, Ice,

Pellets, Snow, Speed, UppersEffects: sense of exhilaration, enhances self esteem,

dizziness, tremors, headache, chest pain, sweating, abdominal cramps

Overdose: high fever, convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, possible death

Amphetamines (Schedule II)Speed up body’s systemsMany are legally prescribed (used to treat ADHD)Prescriptions: Ritalin, Adderall, DexedrineStreet names: Bennies, Crank, Ice, SpeedTaken orally or injected, sometimes smokedEffects: increased blood pressure, insomnia, physical

exhaustionOverdose: agitation, increased body temperature,

hallucinations, convulsions, death

Cocaine (Schedule II)Intense euphoria-producing stimulantStreet names: Coca, Coke, Crack, Flake, SnowSnorted or injected, cooked to smokeEffects: increased blood pressure and heart rate,

dilated pupils, insomnia, loss of appetiteOverdose: cardiac arrhythmias, ischemic heart

conditions, sudden cardiac arrest, convulsions, stroke, possible death

KhatEvergreen shrub that is abused for stimulant-like

effectStreet names: African Salad, Chat, Kat, OatChewed like tobacco, can be made into tea or

smokedEffects: manic behavior, increased blood

pressure, brown stained teeth, insomniaOverdose: delusions, loss of appetite, difficulty

breathing

Methamphetamine (Schedule II)

Speeds up body’s systems FDA-approved brand name medication: Desoxyn (used to

treat ADHD) Street names: Batu, Crank, Crystal, Glass, Ice, Meth, Speed Swallowed, snorted, injected or smoked Effects: intense rush or long lasting high (depending on

method of use), increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, rapid breathing, irregular heart beat, hyperthermia

Overdose: death from stroke, heart attack or organ problems

HallucinogensFound in plants or synthetically produced, used to

alter human perception and moodStreet names: Acid, Blotter, Cubes, Mind Candy,

Mushrooms, Shrooms, K, XCan be taken orally or smokedEffects: perceptual distortions, distortions of

thoughts associated with time and space, elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils

Overdose: respiratory depression, coma, convulsions, seizures, and death due to respiratory arrest

Ecstasy (Schedule I)Acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic, producing an

energizing effect, distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment

Street names: Clarity, E, Hug Drug, MDMA, X, XTCEffects: causes changes in perception, euphoria,

confusion, anxiety, paranoia, drug craving, increased motor activity, alertness, increased heart rate, tremors, muscle cramps, nausea, chills

Overdose: sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia) resulting in liver kidney, and cardiovascular system failure

K2/ SpiceA mixture of herbs and spices sprayed with a

synthetic compound similar to THCStreet names: Bliss, Bombay Blue, Fake Weed,

SpiceSmoked or drank as teaEffects: similar to marijuana including paranoia,

panic attacks, giddinessOverdose: increased heart rate, increased blood

pressure (no deaths reported)

LSDPotent hallucinogen with high potential for abuse-

currently has accepted medical useStreet names: Acid, Blotter Acid, Mellow YellowTaken orally in tablets or capsulesEffects: visual changes, extreme change in mood,

hallucinating, dilated pupils, high body temperature, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth

Overdose: longer, more intense “trip” episodes, psychosis, possible death

Marijuana/Cannabis (Schedule I)

Mind-altering drug produced by Cannabis sativa plantStreet names: Bud, Chronic, Dope, Grass, Hash, Herb,

Mary Jane, Pot, Reefer, WeedSmoked, mixed with food, or brewed as teaEffects: disinhibition, relaxation, merriment,

happiness, heightened imagination, time distortions, dizziness, nausea, facial flushing, dry mouth, tremors, increased appetite, sedation, blood-shot eyes

Overdose: No death from overdose has ever been reported

Inhalants Invisible, volative substances found in common

household products that are inhaled to induce mind altering effects

Street names: Gluey, Huff, WhippetsSniffed, snorted, huffedEffects: intoxication, slurred speech, euphoria,

dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety, irritabilityOverdose: loss of consciousness or death after

repeated use or sudden sniffing death can occur after single session

Bath Salts (Schedule I)Often found in retail products and is a synthetic

stimulantStreet names: Bliss, Clue Silk, Cloud Nine, Drone,

Ivory Wave, Red DoveIngested by sniffing or snorting, can be taken

orally, smoked or injectedEffects: paranoia, agitation, insomnia, irritability,

dizziness, panic attackOverdose: Unknown

Salvia DivinorumA perennial herb in the mint familyStreet names: Maria Pastora, Sally-D, SalviaChewed, smoked, or vaporizedEffects: Psychic effects, fear, panic,

uncontrollable laughter, sense of overlapping realities, hallucinations, loss of coordination, dizziness, slurred speech

MollyPure MDMA (the primary ingredient in EcstacyIngested orally, injected, or snortedEffects: confusion, anxiety, paranoia, drug craving,

muscle tension, termors, muscle cramps, faintness, chills, sweating, blurred vision

Overdose: sharp increase in body temperature, leading to kidney, liver and cardiovascular failure. Severe dehydration can result from the drug’s effects and the crowded/hot conditions the drug is usually taken in