MARIJUANA

(HALLUCINOGENS)
Marijuana comes from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. It has an active
ingredient called THC that makes you feel high. THC and other compounds in
marijuana can also affect the way your body works.
Most people smoke the plant's dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds. But
marijuana can also be mixed into food (like brownies, cookies, and lollipops),
brewed as a tea, or inhaled with a vaporizer.
No matter how it gets into your system, it affects almost every organ in your
body, and your nervous system and immune system, too. When you smoke
pot, your body absorbs THC right away. (If you eat a baked good or another
item, it may take much longer for your body to absorb THC, because it has to
break down in your stomach before it enters your bloodstream). You may
notice changes in your body right after you smoke. The effects usually stop
after 3 or 4 hours.
Smoking pot can increase your heart rate by as much as two times for up to
3 hours. Thats why some people have a heart attack right after they use
marijuana. It can increase bleeding, lower blood pressure, and affect your
blood sugar, too.
SHORT TERM EFFECTS:

Sensory distortion
Panic
Anxiety
Poor coordination of movement
Lowered reaction time
After an initial up, the user feels sleepy or depressed
Increased heartbeat (and risk of heart attack)

LONG TERM EFFECTS:

Reduced resistance to common illnesses (colds, bronchitis, etc.)

Suppression of the immune system
Growth disorders
Increase of abnormally structured cells in the body
Reduction of male sex hormones

Rapid destruction of lung fibers and lesions (injuries) to the brain could
be permanent
Reduced sexual capacity
Study difficulties: reduced ability to learn and retain information
Apathy, drowsiness, lack of motivation
Personality and mood changes
Inability to understand things clearly

METHAMPHETAMINE
(STIMULANT)
Crystal meth is short for crystal methamphetamine. It is just one form of the
drug methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine is a white crystalline drug that people take by snorting it
(inhaling through the nose), smoking it or injecting it with a needle. Some
even take it orally, but all develop a strong desire to continue using it
because the drug creates a false sense of happiness and well-beinga rush
(strong feeling) of confidence, hyperactiveness and energy. One also
experiences decreased appetite. These drug effects generally last from six to
eight hours, but can last up to twenty-four hours.
The first experience might involve some pleasure, but from the start,
methamphetamine begins to destroy the users life.
Methamphetamine is an illegal drug in the same class as cocaine and other
powerful street drugs. It has many nicknamesmeth, crank, chalk or speed
being the most common. (See the list of street names.)

Crystal meth is used by individuals of all ages, but is most commonly used as
a club drug, taken while partying in night clubs or at rave parties. Its most
common street names are ice or glass.
It is a dangerous and potent chemical and, as with all drugs, a poison that
first acts as a stimulant but then begins to systematically destroy the body.
Thus it is associated with serious health conditions, including memory loss,
aggression, psychotic behavior and potential heart and brain damage.
Highly addictive, meth burns up the bodys resources, creating a devastating
dependence that can only be relieved by taking more of the drug.Crystal

meths effect is highly concentrated, and many users report getting hooked
(addicted) from the first time they use it.
SHORT TERM EFFECTS:

Loss of appetite
Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
Dilation of pupils
Disturbed sleep patterns
Nausea
Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior
Hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability
Panic and psychosis
Convulsions, seizures and death from high doses

LONG TERM EFFECTS:

Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood

pressure leading to heart attacks, strokes and death
Liver, kidney and lung damage
Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed
Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked
Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected
Malnutrition, weight loss
Severe tooth decay
Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion
Strong psychological dependence
Psychosis
Depression
Damage to the brain similar to Alzheimers disease,3 stroke and
epilepsy
ALCOHOL
(DEPRESSANT)
Have you ever wondered why your body seems to relax after a having
a few drinks? Maybe you've wondered why people pass out after a
night of heavy drinking? It's because alcohol is a depressant. Some
depressants, like alcohol, are used recreationally by people who want
to relax. While depressants can be used safely, they are dangerous if
used inappropriately, and many are available only by prescription or
even illegal. So, what exactly are depressants?

At the root of the word 'depressant' is depress. When we're talking

about drugs, this doesn't mean to feel sad or down. Instead, 'depress'
means to reduce your level of activity - this is exactly what a
depressant does. Depressants are drugs that slow down the activity of
the central nervous system. By decreasing the electrical activity in the
brain, depressants produce a calming effect in the body and slow down
the brain's normal functioning. Depressants can decrease your level of
awareness, lower your pulse and heart rate, and reduce breathing. For
these reasons, depressants are also referred to as 'downers.'
Depressants can cause relaxation and calmness in smaller doses,
which can result in a reduction in anxiety and lower inhibitions.
Depressants taken in larger doses have some serious consequences,
including complete loss of consciousness, loss of senses, slurred
speech, respiratory depression, and even death.
1. Barbiturates:
Barbiturates are created from barbituric acid. Barbiturates have
sedative and hypnotic properties, which means they reduce anxiety
and induce sleep. Some common barbiturates are:
Luminal (phenobarbital) - used to prevent seizures
Amytal sodium (amobarbital) - used to treat sleep problems
Seconal (secobarbital) - short-term treatment for insomnia
2. Benzodiazepines:
Like barbiturates, benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic
properties. Benzodiazepines also decrease muscle tone. You may have
seen commercials for common benzodiazepines like Xanax. Some
common benzodiazepines are:
Xanax (alprazolam) - used to treat anxiety and panic disorder
Valium (diazepam) - used to treat anxiety and panic disorder, seizures,
and muscle spasms
Klonopin (clonazepam) - used to prevent seizures
3. Ethanol:
You probably know ethanol by a different name: alcohol. Chances are
that you are familiar with the effects of alcohol. After a few drinks,
alcohol reduces inhibition, impairs judgment, and impairs coordination.
After many drinks, alcohol can lead to loss of memory, loss of

consciousness, and even death. The effects of alcohol are dependent

on the amount of alcohol that is present in the bloodstream. This is
known as blood-alcohol content. So the more alcohol you have present
in your blood, the more dangerous the effects and the more strongly it
reduces the electrical activity in your brain.

SHORT TERM EFFECTS:

Slurred speech
Drowsiness
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Upset stomach
Headaches
Breathing difficulties
Distorted vision and hearing
Impaired judgment
Decreased perception and coordination
Unconsciousness
Anemia (loss of red blood cells)
Coma
Blackouts (memory lapses, where the drinker cannot remember events
that occurred while under the influence)
LONG TERM EFFECTS:
Unintentional injuries such as car crash, falls, burns, drowning
Intentional injuries such as firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic
violence
Increased on-the-job injuries and loss of productivity
Increased family problems, broken relationships
Alcohol poisoning
High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases
Liver disease
Nerve damage
Sexual problems
Permanent damage to the brain
Vitamin B1 deficiency, which can lead to a disorder characterized by
amnesia, apathy and disorientation
Ulcers
Gastritis (inflammation of stomach walls)
Malnutrition
Cancer of the mouth and throat