Drug Facts

When you talk with your child about alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs, it’s best to know as much background information as you can. The following descriptions are by no means comprehensive, but they give you a broad overview of the substances your child may be exposed to or ask you about.

NARCOTICS

Product names: Heroin, Morphine, Codeine, Dilaudid, Demerol, Percodan, Methadone, Talwin.
Street names: Heroin-Smack, Junk, Horse, H, Tar, Dope, Stuff. Morphine-Mojo, Mud, Mary, Murphy, M, Miss Emma, Mister Black. Codeine-Schoolboy, Cody, Captain Cody. Methadone-Dollies, Fizzies.
Symptoms of use: Lethargy, drowsiness, euphoria, nausea, constipation, constricted pupils, slowed breathing.
Potential consequences: HIV infection, heart or respiratory problems, mood swings, chronic constipation, tremors, toxic psychosis, high potential for addiction.
Methods of use: Injected, ingested, snorted or smoked.
Overdose: Elevated body temperature, hallucinations, heart failure, stroke, death.
Medical use: For pain relief (except heroin and methadone).
Legal status: Illegal except by prescription.

HALLUCINOGENS

Product names: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), PCP (phencyclidine), DMT (dimethyltryptamine), Mescaline, MDA (methlenedioxyamphetamine), STP (dimethoxymeth-amphetamine), psilocybin, Rohypnol, GHB, (gammahydroxy-butyric acid), MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
Street names: LSD-Acid, A, Blotter, Microdots, Windowpane. PCP-Angel Dust, Angel Mist, Animal Tranquilizer. Psilocybin-Mushrooms, Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms. MDMA-Ecstasy, E, X, XTC. Rohypnol-Roofies,
R-2, Roaches, “the Date Rape Drug.” GHB-Liquid Ecstasy, Liquid X, Georgia Home Brew, Georgia Home Boyz.
Symptoms of use: Trance-like state, excitation, euphoria, increased pulse rate, insomnia, hallucinations.
Potential consequences: Impaired judgment and coordination can result in greater risk for injury, self-inflicted injury, violent behavior, paranoia, depression or anxiety, unpredictable flashbacks.
Methods of use: Ingested.
Overdose: Elevated body temperature, dehydration, hallucinations, heart failure, stroke, death.
Medical use: None, except oxycontin.
Legal status: Illegal.

ALCOHOL

Product names: Beer, gin, vodka, bourbon, whiskey, tequila, liqueurs, wine, brandy, champagne, rum, sherry, port, coolers, “lab punch.”
Street names: Booze, Sauce, Brews, Brewskis, Hard Stuff, Juice.
Symptoms of use: Slurred speech, impaired judgment and motor skills, poor coordination, confusion, tremors, drowsiness, agitation, nausea and vomiting, respiratory ailments, depression, disorientation, headache, unconsciousness.
Potential consequences: Impaired judgment can result in inappropriate sexual behavior, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS), injuries, and auto crashes. Habitual use can led to an inability to control drinking, high tolerance level, blackouts and memory loss, interference with personal relationships, cirrhosis of the liver, vitamin deficiencies, damage to heart and central nervous system, sexual impotence, weight gain.
Methods of use: Ingested.
Overdose: Unconsciousness, slowed heart rate, brain damage, liver failure, coma, seizures, death.
Medical uses: For appetite stimulation and mild sedation.
Legal status: Illegal under age 21.

DEPRESSANTS

Product names: Sleeping pills and tranquilizers (Seconal, Nembutal, Smytal, Quaalude, Miltown, Norcet, Placidyl, Valium, Librium, Tauxene, Ativan, Xanax, Serax).
Street names: Downers, Ludes, Vs, Blues, Goofball, Red Devil, Blue Devil, Yellow Jackets, Yellow Bullets, Pink Ladies, Christmas Trees, Phennies, Peanuts.
Symptoms of use: Drowsiness, confusion, poor coordination, tremors, slurred speech, depressed pulse rate, shallow respiration, dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting, unconsciousness.
Potential consequences: Anxiety, depression, restlessness, psychotic episodes, chronic fatigue, insomnia, changes in eyesight, irregular menstruation, stopped breathing, suicide, dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same effect, severe withdrawal symptoms.
Methods of use: Ingested.
Overdose: Unconsciousness, slowed heart rate, brain damage, liver failure, coma, seizures, death.
Medical uses: For tranquilization, sedation, and sleep.
Legal status: Prescription only.

COCAINE/CRACK COCAINE

Product names: Cocaine, crack cocaine.
Street names: Cocaine-Coke, Blow, Snow, Toot, Nose Candy, Flake, Dust, Sneeze. Crack Cocaine-Crack, Rock, Base, Sugar Block, Rox/Roxanne.
Symptoms of use: Excitability, euphoria, talkativeness, anxiety, increased pulse rate, dilated pupils, paranoia, agitation, hallucinations, teeth grinding, itchy skin, insomnia, false sense of power, nausea.
Potential consequences: High risk for addiction, violent or erratic behavior, hallucinations, cocaine psychosis, eating or sleeping disorders, impaired sexual performance, ongoing respiratory problems, ulceration of the mucous membrane of the nose, collapse of the nasal septum, death from cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest.
Methods of use: Sniffed, smoked or injected.
Overdose: elevated body temperature, hallucinations, heart failure, stroke, death.
Medical use: None
Legal status: Illegal.

INHALANTS

Product names: Organic solvents, nitrous oxide, nitrites, aerosols, airplane glue, nail polish remover, lighter fluid, gasoline, paints, hair spray.
Street names: Glue, Kick, Bang, Sniff, Huff, Poppers, Whippets, Texas Shoeshine.
Symptoms of use: Slurred speech, poor coordination, nausea, vomiting, slowed breathing, headache, red or blistered nose or mouth, limb spasms, lost control of bladder and bowels.
Potential consequences: Brain, liver and kidney damage; pains in chest, muscles, and joints; heart trouble, severe depression; toxic psychosis; nerve damage; muscle weakness; nerve damage; blood disease; fatigue; loss of appetite; bronchial tube spasm; sores on nose or mouth; nosebleeds; diarrhea; nausea; bizarre or reckless behavior; sudden death; suffocation.
Methods of use: Sniffed.
Overdose: Death by asphyxiation/suffocation, death by sudden heart failure.
Medical use: Nitrous oxide only, for anesthesia.
Legal status: Most products available in retail stores.

CANNABIS (Marijuana)

Product names: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabis Sativa, Marijuana, Hashish, Hashish oil.
Street names: Weed, Pot, Grass, Reefer, Bud, Bong Hits, Mary Jane, Joint, Roach, Nail, Blunt. (Blunt refers to a cigar into which marijuana is rolled.)’
Symptoms of use: Mood swings, euphoria, slow thinking and reflexes, dilated pupils, increased appetite, dryness of mouth, increased pulse rate, delusions, hallucinations, poor concentration, short-term memory loss, anxiety.
Potential consequences: Amotivational syndrome, memory impairment, weight gain, increased risk for cancer, lower sperm counts and lower testosterone levels for men, increased risk of infertility for women, psychological dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same effect. Marijuana serves as a barrier against self-awareness, and users may not be able to learn key developmental skills.
Methods of use: Ingested and smoked.
Overdose: No single use of cannabis will cause overdose. Damage occurs over time.
Medical use: None.
Legal status: Illegal.

STIMULANTS

Product names: Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Biphetamine, Dexedrine, Desoxyn, Tenuate, Ionamin, Tepanil, Methcathinone.
Street names: Methamphetamine-Speed, Crystal, Meth, Ice, Glass, Crank, Go. Methcathinone-Cat, Jeff, Goob, Stat, Star. Amphetamine-Bennies, Benz, Uppers, Cross-tops. Dexedrine-Dexies, Brownies.
Symptoms of use: Excitability, tremors, insomnia, sweating, dry mouth and lips, bad breath, dilated pupils, weight loss, paranoia, hallucinations.
Potential consequences: Weight loss, nutritional deficiency, chronic sleep problems, high blood pressure, paranoia, anxiety or nervousness, decreased emotional control, severe depression, violent behavior, death from heart failure or suicide.
Methods of use: Sniffed, smoked or ingested.
Overdose: Elevated body temperature, hallucinations, heart failure, stroke, death.
Medical uses: For narcolepsy, obesity, hyperkinesis.
Legal status: Prescription only.

TOBACCO

Product names: Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco.
Street names: Cancer sticks, Sticks, Bidis (flavored, hand-rolled cigarettes), Cloves (60% tobacco/40% cloves), Chew, Smoke, Bone, Butt, Coffin Nail.
Symptoms of use: Smelly hair, clothes, and breath; yellowing of teeth; coughs; increased asthma attacks; shortness of breath and poorer athletic performance. After only a few weeks, users of spit tobacco can develop cracked lips, white spots, sores and bleeding in the mouth.
Potential consequences: Addiction; respiratory problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis; heart and cardiovascular disease; cancer of the lung, larynx, esophagus, bladder, pancreas, kidney, and mouth.
Methods of use: Smoked or ingested orally (chew or spit tobacco).
Medical use: None.
Legal status: Illegal for youth under 19 years of age in Alabama, Alaska, and Utah. Illegal for youth under 18 years of age in all remaining States.

ANABOLIC STEROIDS

Product names: Anadrol, Depo-testosterone, Equipoise, many others.
Street names: Roids, Juice, Sauce, Slop, Gym Candy, Stacking.
Symptoms of use: Poor concentration, aggression, acne & rashes, headache, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, bone pain, muscle cramps, reduced libido, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, breast growth in males, reduced sperm count, shrinking of the testicles, baldness, body hair growth in females.
Potential consequences: Aggression, pool blood clotting, heart attack, liver & kidney cancer, stunted growth, deformed genitals.
Methods of use: Injected, ingested or applied to skin.
Overdose: Swelling, elevated blood pressure, convulsions.
Medical use: For treating anemia, osteoporosis, growth stimulation, gonadal dysfunction, and gynecological disorders.
Legal status: By prescription only.