Chris Middleton - Types of Drugs a good pdf i found online.

1. of the chemical dopamine, which is • E c s t a s y : also called MDMA or
TYPES OF DRUGS
associated with pleasure. Immediate Adam, is a drug with hallucinogenic
effects include reduced mental function and amphetamine like properties.
There are many different types of and fatigue and increased hyperactivity. Ecstasy has been reported to
drugs. Hard or soft, uppers or downers, The long term cocaine users report contribute to heightened sexual
most harmful or lest harmful, legal or depression, paranoia, nasal damage (in experience, tranquillity, and
illegal. The listed below are illegal and those who snort), and cocaine use can happiness. Use of ecstasy causes
can be broadly categorised into three result in cardiac and respiratory arrest. confusion, depression, sleep
main areas: problems, drug craving, severe
• C r a c k : Crack-cocaine (a derivative anxiety, and paranoia and possibly
a. Stimulant – they increase the of cocaine), nicknamed "crack" or
activity of the central nervous psychotic episodes. It also increases
"rocks", is often sold in small, heart rate and blood pressure, may
system (e.g. cocaine, crack & inexpensive dosage units frequently
ecstasy) cause muscle tension, involuntary
known as a “blast“. A quarter gram or teeth-clenching, nausea, blurred
b. Depressant – they decrease the half gram on average, yielding 30 vision, rapid eye movement,
activity of the central nervous minutes – 1 hour of effect, if hits are faintness, chills or sweating.
system (e.g. rohypnol & alcohol) taken every few minutes.
c. Hallucinogen – they alter It is profoundly unwise to take crack- B.
perceptions of reality and may cocaine; it is far more addictive and • Rohypnol:
result in hallucinogens (e.g. dangerous that cocaine and is one of the
marijuana / weed) Also known as
most addictive drugs. Crack delivers an
"La Rocha" and
intensity of pleasure completely outside
A. "Roofies", is a small
the normal range of human experience.
white tablet with
• C o c a i n e : This drug may be However this short-lived ‘rush’ is
Roche inscribed on
injected, inhaled (snorted), or followed by a ‘crash’. This involves
one side and with a one or two
smoked and may leave the user anxiety, depression, irritability, extreme
encircled indicating the mg dosage.
feeling restless, nervous, anxious, fatigue and possibly paranoia.
Rohypnol is usually taken orally and
and irritable. Continued use of Users are likely eventually to alienate causes the user to feel intoxicated
cocaine makes it more difficult to get family and friends. They tend to become then sleepy.
the "high" like first time. Cocaine is isolated and suspicious. Most of their
addictive, and persons who are It may last up to eight hours. Users
money and time is spent thinking about
addicted to cocaine steal, sell their exhibit slurred speech, impaired
how to get more of the drug. The
bodies for sex and put themselves or judgment and difficulty walking. It can
compulsion may become utterly
others in danger. cause deep sedation, breathing
obsessive. Crack addicts will often lie,
problems and blackouts. Sometimes
Cocaine affects the central nervous cheat, steal and commit crimes of
the drug causes the opposite effect
system and blocks the re-absorption violence to get more.
and the user becomes aggressive.

2. Many rapists use rohypnol to drug Some people mix the marijuana with What are the health risks of using
their victims. Rohypnol is considered crack or other substances which could
weed?
a sexual assault drug because of the become very addictive.
potential to cause blackouts and
amnesia at high doses. The most There are some medicinal purposes for Long after the 'high' is gone, the
common method used to drug the Cannabis Sativa plant. The dosages drug remains in the brain and
someone is to put it into a drink at a have to be taken in small amounts, and affects memory and learning.
bar, nightclub, or party. Because usually not enough to cause a person to You will be less able to speak,
rohypnol is a tasteless substance the be come intoxicated or to feel the 'high'. read, compute or reason. It also
drink would not taste any different. slows down your reaction time,
This drug is also known as the ‘rape making it dangerous to do things
drug’. How will weed affect me? like drive a car or operate
machinery
C.
Weed affects people in different ways, Weed causes hormonal changes
• Marijuana/Weed: depending on the mood they are in, how that could alter patterns of
Weed, ganja, they expect they are going to feel, the growth and sexual development.
dope, marijuana, amount they take, how strong it is and When weed is used by women
cannabis all whether they eat it or smoke it. during pregnancy, babies may
names used for be born prematurely, with low
Soon after smoking weed, most people
the plant birth weights or other
feel 'high' – more relaxed and talkative
Cannabis Sativa. abnormalities
and less concerned about what they say
This drug or do. However, weed make some people Weed smoke contains tar and cancer
contains THC , a chemical that nervous, dizzy and upset. Later on, you causing chemicals and cause diseases
changes the way you think, feel and may become reflective and sleepy. to the lungs
act. With regular use, people become
psychologically dependent on weed. Physically, you will probably notice that For people with a history of emotional
They crave the “high” and become your eyes redden, your heart beats faster problems or mental illness, regular
edgy and anxious if they cannot get and you appetite is enormous (referred to weed use can bring on their symptoms
the drug. as the munchies) or make them feel worse.
People who use large doses on a Weed affects your balance, judgement,
daily basis can become physically memory, reactions and perceptions, Prepared by Help & Shelter with the support
dependent and suffer withdrawal especially if mixed with alcohol. In fact, of the British High Commission, Tel 227-
symptoms when they stop using the very large amounts can cause 3454, 225-4731
drug. For a week or so, they may hallucinations – seeing and hearing things Email: hands@networksgy.com
have trouble sleeping, feel anxious that do not really exist. Website: http://www.sdnp.org.gy/hands
and irritable and lose their appetite.