Illegal Drugs Stimulants, Depressants, Hallucinogens, Narcotics, Marijuana, Inhalants & Club Drugs

Facts About Drug Use: Medicines- legal drugs that help the body fight injury, illness or disease Over –The – Counter Vs. Prescriptions Drug Misuse & Drug Abuse Psychoactive Drug- “mood altering” ; a chemical that affects brain activity

Dangers of Drug Misuse & Abuse: When drugs are used or misused many serious health effects can result: –Side Effects –Drug Antagonism ( 2 or more drugs cancel out the effects of the other one. Ex: Antibiotics & Birth Control Pills) –Drug Synergism or The Multiplier Effect ( 2 or more drugs intensify the effects of one drug alone) Ex: Alcohol & Valium

Factors That Affect Drug Abuse: Family economics, relationships, history of drug use (ex. Smokers) Social peer pressure, role models, involvement in specific types of activities Personal factors like Stress, Depression, Low Self-Esteem, Need to Cope with problems

Stimulants : Increase heart rate, BP, Breathing rate & Alertness Speeds up the CNS Examples: Amphetamines, Cocaine, Crack, Methamphetamine, Nicotine, Caffeine

Depressants: Slow down body functions by decreasing heart rate, Breathing rates & lowering BP A Psychoactive Drug that Slows the Brain & Body Reactions Examples: Alcohol, Barbiturates, Opiates like Heroin, Morphine, Codeine, & Percocet are depressant narcotics (powerful class of pain relievers; highly addictive; highly controlled substances)

Hallucinogens: Psychoactive drugs that overloads the brain with sensory information, causing a distorted sense of reality Distorts perceptions (senses), Moods, & Thoughts Examples: LSD, Psilocybin (mushrooms), PCP (Angel Dust)

Marijuana: Psychoactive drug that comes from the Hemp/Cannabis plant. It’s main ingredient (THC) changes the way information reaches & is acted upon by the brain. Often referred as a Gateway Drug Often Laced with other drugs Strength of Drug varies greatly Debate of Legality in US (Currently Illegal)

Marijuana Information Page: default.aspx# default.aspx# Go to the Marijuana Page Look at Facts, Biological Effects, Behavioral Effects, Myth-busters, & Pete’s Couch Take the “Test Your Brain” Quiz !!

Inhalants, Steroids & Club Drugs: Commonly found in specific subgroups of the population (Middle School Aged, Athletes, Dance/Club Scene) Inhalant- breathable chemical vapor that produces mind-altering effects (depriving Oxygen from reaching the Brain) Steroids: Synthetic type of Testosterone to build Muscle Mass

Marijuana Debate: Pro’s Con’s

Marijuana Debate: Pro’s Treatment of Medical Problems (nausea due to Chemo therapy) (Glaucoma) Increased Appetite for Ill Patients Alcohol & Tobacco are Legal for Adults It’s Natural (A plant) Stress Reliever Con’s Decrease in Problem solving ability, Control & Judgment, Motor Skills- reaction time, Dulled Senses, Addiction Lack of Motivation, Paranoia Inability to Regulate BP, Hunger, Hormones, Sleep Patterns Increased Risk Taking Behavior Distorted Perception of Time Increased Cancer Risks/ Lung Problems Gateway Drug