Drug Facts

Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the u.s. statistics have shown it is the number one drug of choice

for teenagers.

hen marijuana enters into the bloodstream, it acts on the brain and nervous system. Marijuana alters perception of

reality, distorting the way the user's senses work, as well as distorting the user's sense of time, space, and self. Even

after just one use, marijuana chemicals can be seen in the brain 3 to 6 weeks later and can be detected in a drug

screening.

Regular use of marijuana can cause a person to use more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect. At

continuous high dosages, some people become dependent on it. When they stop using it, they may experience

withdrawal symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, nervousness, and changes in temperament.

also cite genetic birth defects related to the father

Possession of marijuana is illegal in all 50 states. It will lead to arrest, fines and jail terms.

1 of 10

Made from the white, milky liquid exuded from the opium poppy, heroin is a powerful and dangerous drug which is

often injected directly into the bloodstream with a needle. When injected, heroin reaches the brain in just 7 or 8

seconds. Using heroin for even a short time can create physical and psychological dependence. In large doses,

heroin can cause breathing to become shallow or to stop all together.

The addiction to heroin is a difficult one to break, even when it is destroying the user's health and life. The intense

craving for heroin can be both physical and mental. For the user, it becomes a way of life. Every day centers around

getting and using heroin.

After continued use, more and more heroin is needed to achieve the same effects. This results in a very costly habit.

Once addicted, a user must have heroin every 8 to 12 hours. Withdrawal symptoms include fevers, chills, nausea,

aching, diarrhea and muscle spasms. Most symptoms last for 3 to 5 days.

Unlike some similar drugs, heroin is considered too dangerous even for medical use. Using or selling heroin is

against the law. Offenders usually go to jail.

2 of 10

Cocaine is a highly addictive, potent drug that is made from the leaves of the coca plant. This powerful substance is

capable of destroying personal relationships, creating serious legal problems, draining bank accounts, ruining

careers, threatening health and claiming lives.

Psychologically, cocaine users can quickly become trapped in a vicious cycle. The drug produces short-term

euphoria; for about 30 minutes, the user feels energetic, sociable, confident, and happy. Addiction creates a physical

compulsion to use more cocaine to seek this euphoric high. At the same time, users become dependent on the drug

to avoid the consequences of withdrawal, which include depression and paranoia. Chronic use of cocaine creates

further problems that may include hallucinations. People who inject the drug may experience "coke bugs" , a

sensation that insects or snakes are crawling under their skin. Chronic use can also cause a serious break with reality.

Users may become paranoid, imagining that others are out to get them.

Personal and social problems from cocaine use are innumerable, but often include participating in illegal activities to

obtain the drug, stealing from friends and family to support the addiction, and job and career problems due to the

high cost of chemical dependency to cocaine.

Most people use cocaine the first time out of curiosity. So-called "recreational users" usually start off by restricting

their use of the drug to social settings. For example, some people use cocaine because they think it helps them

overcome depression, lose weight, or enjoy a particular activity more. No matter how or why cocaine is used, it is

always dangerous!

3 of 10

professional and personal life.

4 of 10

Crack provides an intense high almost instantly - in as little as 4 to 6 seconds - but it lasts only 5 to 7 minutes. The

high is always followed by a low, so unpleasant that the user will do almost anything to acquire more crack.

Crack is almost instantly addicting. The social consequences of crack use include personal, social, legal, financial,

and other problems. Most crack users are also addicted to alcohol, tranquilizers and other drugs, which they use to

relieve the unpleasant side effects of crack.

Crack stimulates the central nervous system, which can have dangerous- even deadly- effects on the body. The

vapors from heated crack are absorbed through the lungs and reach the brain within seconds. Crack can cause the

respiratory system to fail. Often, crack users ignore health problems because crack dulls the pain, and users may

ignore conditions that require medical attention. Crack can overpower the mind and the body. Users become

trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction. During this cycle they experience euphoria, followed by a strong craving for

more crack to overcome the deep depression and paranoia that accompanies withdrawal. Users usually repeat this

cycle until their wallet and/or body give out.

Crack is an illegal substance. If caught using or selling it, you could face fines and jail time.

5 of 10

Tranquilizer Facts:

Tranquilizers are used primarily to reduce anxiety and tension. They slow down the central nervous system. Most

"minor" tranquilizers, including well-known trade names such as valium and Librium, are usually taken orally as

tablets, capsules, or liquids. Occasionally they are injected for both medical and non-medical purposes.

Tolerance and physical and psychological dependence can develop with long-term use. With the normal dosage an

individual usually feels relaxed, has a sense of well-being, and may lose their inhibitions. As the dosage increases,

the individual feels more sedated and may have a sense of floating. With regular use, tolerance can develop. The

user then needs to take increased doses to get the desired effect. While many people take tranquilizers for legitimate

medical purposes, the concern is about the person who uses tranquilizers to cope with routine stress on a daily basis.

In this case, the greatest danger of dependence is a strong physical addiction.

Most minor tranquilizers fall into class iv of the controlled substances act. The more powerful sedative- hypnotics

are in class iii. Harsh penalties are applied for trafficking and illegal use of tranquilizers.

6 of 10

Alcohol is a powerful depressant drug that slows down thinking and reaction time, as well as other activity of the

brain and spinal cord. Alcohol rapidly enters the bloodstream and circulates to all parts of the body within a few

minutes. When it reaches the brain it knocks out control centers, causing intoxication.

What causes alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled use of alcohol. Experts believe that genetic factors make

certain people more vulnerable to alcoholism. Environmental, cultural, and psychological factors can also contribute

to the development of the disease.

People who have a problem with alcohol drink to escape problems or turn off painful feelings of loneliness,

insecurity, guilt, etc. But rather than solving them, alcohol only makes the problems worse.

Even small amounts of alcohol can reduce coordination, slow reflexes and lead to over-confidence. Alcohol can also

lead to violence, poor judgment, job loss, and trouble with the law. The heavy costs of alcohol abuse include

highway deaths, teenage death, spousal abuse, suicide, crime, arrests, and financial problems, in addition to broken

families, abused children, ruined careers and lives cut short.

7 of 10

Regardless of age, driving while intoxicated is a criminal offense. If stopped for drunk driving, you can be arrested,

get a suspended license, jail sentence, fine, and/or mandatory attendance at alcohol education classes. Beyond legal

ramifications there is an increase in auto insurance rates, inconvenience, and embarrassment. Drinking and driving

can be a very costly mistake.

8 of 10

Hallucinogens are natural and synthetic drugs that distort thinking, awareness and the senses. This group of drugs

includes LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), pcp (phencyclidine, also known as "angel dust"), psilocybin (found in

different types of mushrooms), and mescaline, among others. Many of the newer "designer drugs", such as ecstasy,

are hallucinogens produced in illegal labs.

Hallucinogens can be extremely dangerous for both the user and other people around the user. Even a single dose

can cause severe and complex reactions. Effects may include euphoria, loss of ability to separate fact and fantasy,

paranoia, panic and violence. Because hallucinogens affect judgment so powerfully, using them can result in

accidents such as falls and car crashes, as well as suicide attempts.

Some users of hallucinogens experience a serious break with reality that requires long-term professional treatment.

Using these drugs even once can cause "flashbacks" - an unexpected recurrence of a hallucinogen's effects. These

flashbacks can happen even years after the drug is taken, and can lead to depression or a fear of going insane.

Hallucinogens are illegal drugs with no medical use. All users risk arrests, fines and jail terms. Using hallucinogens

may cause the user to commit violent crimes.

9 of 10

Inhalants are chemical products that are misused to give the user a drug-like effect. Most inhalants are common

household products, such as paint, varnish, glue, kerosene, nail polish remover and various aerosol products.

Inhalants are poisonous and can cause lasting physical damage.

Inhalants slow down the body's reactions and distort the thinking process. They pass through the lungs and quickly

enter the bloodstream. Chemicals from inhalants reach the brain within seconds. The effects last only a few

moments and, when they wear off, the user may be irritable and depressed. Users of inhalants say they make them

feel less inhibited. The effects are similar to those produced by alcohol and other sedatives. High dosages can

produce laughing, feelings of floating, dizziness, time and space distortions, and illusions. These effects can last

from 5 minutes to an hour, depending on the substance used and the amount.

marrow

There are laws attempting to regulate inhalants. Depending on state and local laws, and the type of inhalant used, a

user may risk a fine and jail terms.

10 of 10