Types of Drugs

Alcohol
Any number of intoxicating beverages, including beer, wine, whiskey, gin, vodka,
etc. Primary effect is as a sedative.

Club Drugs
This term refers to an influx of designer drugs including MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB,
Rohypnol (Ruffies), Clarity, and Ketamine (Special K). Because most of these drugs
are colorless, flavorless, and odorless, they can be added to beverages undetected.
All effect the central nervous system and act as stimulant and hallucinogen.

Cocaine (Powder)
Cocaine is one of the most powerful stimulants found in nature. Cocaine is derived
from Coca plant leaves. The leaves are treated with salt and gasoline and allowed to
sit. The liquid is later drained and refined into cocaine base. Cocaine base can be
smoked but typically is refined into a powder form. Powder cocaine (HCL) is
inhaled into the nasal passages or can be dissolved in water and injected into the
body via a syringe. Because of cocaine's high melting point, it cannot be smoked. In
order to be smoked, it must be altered using the chemical process known as
freebasing. Freebasing involves mixes the cocaine with other solvents over a heat
source. This process can (and often is) deadly for the abuser

Crack Cocaine
Powder cocaine cannot be smoked unless chemically altered--thus crack cocaine. A
chemically altered form of powder cocaine that is a hard, rock-like substance that is
easy to handle and conceal. Crack cocaine is smokeable and creates an intense,
immediate high. Because crack cocaine is nearly pure cocaine, doses are smaller and
cheaper to obtain than cocaine. Crack cocaine can be instantly addictive.

Depressants/Sedative/Hypnotics
These drugs interact with the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to
depress cognitive activities. They include sedatives (used to make a person calm or
drowsy) and tranquilizers (intended to reduce tension and anxiety). Sometimes
called "downers" or "benzos" (short for benzodiazepine) these drugs come in tablet,
capsule or liquid form. Some drugs in this category are: Xanax, Valium, Halcion,
Librium, Ativan, Klonopin, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Seconal, Phenobarbital, Amytal,
and Haldol.

Hashish
Hashish is produced from the THC-rich secretions of the Cannabis plant
(marijuana plant). Hashish is the resinous substance taken from the tops of female
plants, which contains the highest concentration of THC. "Hash" is usually sold in
balls or cakes. Most commonly used by smoking (pipe, bong) or ingesting (eating
foods containing hash).

Inhalants
Common inhalants include some types of model cement, cooking sprays, hair spray,
deodorant, liquid paper, aerosol sprays, paint, paint thinner, gasoline, and solvents.
Inhalants are used by spraying or pouring the substance on a rag and the vapors
(fumes) inhaled. This induces a short-lived, light-headed euphoric state in the
abuser.
Heroin
Heroin, a semi-synthetic opium, is derived from morphine. Heroin is smoked,
inhaled, or injected by the abuser

LSD
LSD is a synthetic psychotropic, or mind-altering, drug. Due to its extremely high
potency, LSD users may be "high" anywhere from 4-14 hours on one dose. LSD is
usually sold in the following forms: liquid (small, glass vials); thin squares of gelatin
("hits"), referred to as "windowpane"; small square pieces of paper--commonly
referred to as "blotter" acid.

Marijuana
Next to tobacco and alcohol, marijuana is the most popular chemical substance
chosen for regular use. Marijuana comes from the Hemp plant and its content of
THC found in the leaves and flowering shoots of the plant. Most commonly used by
smoking (joint, pipe, bong) or ingestion (eating foods containing marijuana,
example-brownies). Marijuana effects the central nervous system and gives the user
a false sense of euphoria, relaxation, and increased visual, auditory, and taste
perceptions. In actuality, the marijuana diminishes coordination, visual tracking,
and loss of energy. Some users experience paranoia, delirium, and hallucinations.

Methamphetamines (Crystal Meth)

Methamphetamines are highly addictive man-made chemical stimulants. The street
versions of these compounds are cooked up in clandestine "kitchens" using a variety
of hazardous and volatile chemicals. These stimulants can be inhaled, smoked, and
injected by the abuser.

Mushrooms
Psilocybin or "magic" mushrooms are found in a variety of environments and, like
Peyote, produce similar effects as LSD but not quite to the same degree. The
mushrooms are usually ingested but may be dried and smoked.

Narcotics
Though commonly used to refer to all drugs---narcotics are those drugs which are
derived from opium (derivatives or synthetics). Commonly encountered narcotics
include: Opium, morphine, codeine, heroin, Dilaudid, Demerol, Percodan,
methadone, and Darvon.

Opioids
The most powerful prescription painkillers are opioids, which are made to react on
the nervous system the same way as opium, morphine (a powerful painkiller that is
highly addictive) or heroin. These medications include include oxycodone,
hydrocodone, and mepreridine. The common brand names are Oxycontin, Percocet,
Roxicet, Roxiprin, Vicodin, Dilaudid, etc.

Opium
Opium is harvest from unripe seed pods of the Poppy plant. Opium can either be
injected in its raw form (gum-like) or smoked. PCP (Angel Dust) Phencyclidine,
commonly referred to as PCP or Angel Dust, is considered to be the most
unpredictable drug on the street because of its effect of the user. PCP can be found
in liquid (most toxic), gum, or powdered form. Liquid PCP is often applied to
cigarettes as a means of ingestion. In powder form, PCP is commonly mixed with
marijuana and smoked. PCP is often masqueraded as LSD or THC. The gum form
of PCP may vary in color from a light tan to a dark brown/black

Prescription Drugs
Prescription drug abuse is a modern-day plague with estimates of up to six million
Americans have or currently abuse prescription medications. Many prescription
drug addicts legitimize their use because of "doctor's orders". It is not uncommon
for these abusers to exhibit drug seeking behaviors--going to several doctors,
emergency rooms, and/or clinics reporting lost or stolen prescriptions, increased
pain, etc in an effort to obtain their drug. For those addicts in the medical field or
with access to prescription medications, stealing medications or self-prescribing
medications is not uncommon. Many prescription addicts use multiple pharmacies
to hide the amount and frequency of their use. Signs and symptoms of prescription
addiction vary due to the different types of medications (hypnotic, sedative,
amphetamine, etc). The most commonly abused prescription drugs are pain killers,
depressants, stimulants, and antidepressants.
 Side Effects of Drugs
All drugs has side effects. Some drugs makes you sleepy, others - like for example
antidepressants - can give you a headache. Other remedies can make your heart
beat fast. Why do drugs have side effects?

Our bodies are complex structures, built from chemicals and to function smoothly it
has to be regulated. Chemicals like for instance hormones, enzymes and other
molecular messengers normally make these adjustments. The purpose of medicines
are often to take the place of one of the body’s regulating chemicals, because of a
disease that has been brought out of balance and readjust this. And this is what any
successful medicine or drug treatment actually does.

To understand why medicine produces side effects, we have to pay attention to the
following:

1. Our body often uses the same chemical to regulate more than one process. What
this means is that a medicine may retune not only the desired target but also others
that don’t need readjustment. Let’s use prednisone as an example; this drug gets rid
of inflammation, but it also causes thinning of bones.

2. Unfortunately, drugs are not always as selective as we would like them to be. A
consequence of this is that the medicine may alter a number of unrelated processes
at the same time. The antidepressant amitriptyline can help depression but it can
also lower blood pressure by affecting norepinephrine receptors, cause blurred
vision, dry mouth and constipation by blocking acetylcholine receptors and even
induce sleepiness and weight gain by binding to histamine receptors.

3. It is also a fact that two people taking the same medicine can have very different
experiences. One person may have severe or troublesome side effects that make the
medicine intolerable (like nausea during the first weeks of taking Effexor), while
another person hardly notice any side effects at all. This is the reason of the long list
of possible side effects that is enclosed in the drug box.

Side effects may be rare or common, serious or simply annoying. Doctors are
required to assess the risk of side effects versus the expected benefit of any
medication. Statistically most doctors do a good job, so if you have a doctor you feel
you can trust in general, there is no need for distrusting his or her abilities to figure
out which medication is best for you.
 Portfolio
in
MAPEH
(Health)
Name:Cris A. Bernardo
Yr and Sec:I-Piety
Teacher:Mr.Firmalo