This document discusses drugs and their classifications. It defines a drug as any substance that alters normal bodily function when absorbed into the body. Drugs are then classified into six main categories: 1) gateway drugs, 2) depressants, 3) stimulants, 4) narcotics, 5) hallucinogens, and 6) inhalants. Each category is described in terms of its effects on the central nervous system and examples of common drugs that fall into each category are provided.

1. Prepared by: Kelvin P. Encarnacion

2. A drug, is any substance
that, when absorbed into
the body of a living
organism, alters normal
bodily function. Drugs are
chemicals that change the
way a person's body works
by altering emotions and
thoughts.
DRUGS –
WHAT THEYAREAND WHAT THEYDO ?

3. Drugs
Drugs Abuse
Drugs
Dependence
(Addiction)
Drug abuse is an intense desire to obtain increasing amounts of a particular substance.
Drug dependence is the body's physical need, or addiction, to a specific agent. Over
the long term, this dependence results in physical harm and behavior problems which
causes tolerance and cross tolerance. Thus, it creates a vicious cycle.

6. WHY DO SO MANY TEENAGERS START DOWN THIS
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PATH ?

7. THE SIX
CLASSIFICATIO
NS OF DRUGS
OF ABUSE

8. 1. GATEWAY
DRUGS
•Are legal drugs that a non-drug
user might try, which can lead
him/her to more dangerous
drugs such as marijuana and
shabu.
•Teenagers who engage in
early smoking & drinking have
higher chance of using and
experimenting with dangerous
drugs of abuse.

10. 2. DEPRESSANT
DRUGS
• These drugs make patients feel
sleepy and light headed.
• Slows down a persons central
nervous system (brain, spinal cord,
nerves).
• Doctors commonly prescribe
depressants to help people who
have anger management issues,
stressed or tensed.
• Depressants relax muscles and nerves.
Examples are: alcohol,
barbiturates & tranquilizers.

11. A barbiturate is a drug that acts
as a central nervous system
depressant, and can therefore
produce a wide spectrum of
effects, from mild sedation to total
anesthesia. They are also effective
as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and
anticonvulsants.

12. 3. STIMULANT
DRUGS
•Speed up a persons
central nervous system.
•Has the opposite effect
of depressants.
•Makes a person’s energy
high
•Side effects are
depression and
tiredness.
Examples are
amphetamines (shabu,
caffeine, nicotine, cocaine)

13. •Amphetamine is a potent
central nervous system
stimulant that is used in the
treatment of Attention Deficit
Disorder (ADD), narcolepsy,
and obesity.

14. •Methamphetamine
(SHABU) is a strong central
nervous system stimulant
that is mainly used as a
recreational drug and less
commonly as a treatment for
attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder and obesity.

15. •Caffeine is a central nervous
system stimulant of the
methylxanthine class. It is the
world's most widely
consumed psychoactive
drug. Unlike many other
psychoactive substances, it
is legal and unregulated in
nearly all parts of the world.

16. •Nicotine is a potent
parasympathomimetic
stimulant and an alkaloid
found in the nightshade
family of plants.

17. •Cocaine, also known as
coke, is a strong stimulant
mostly used as a
recreational drug. It is
commonly snorted, inhaled
as smoke, or as a solution
injected into a vein.

18. 4.
NARCOTICS
•Are drugs which relieve
pain and induce
sleepiness.
•These are prescribed to
patients with mental disorders
or with patients dealing with
severe pain like cancer.
•These drugs are illicit
and dangerous if taken.
• Examples are cocaine,
heroin and marijuana.

19. •Heroin, also known as
morphine among other
names, is an opioid most
commonly used as a
recreational drug for its
euphoric effects. Medically it
is used in several countries to
relieve pain.

20. •Marijuana refers to the dried
leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds
from the Cannabis
sativa or Cannabis indicaplant.
The plant contains the mind-
altering chemical THC and other
similar compounds. It is also
called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud,
ganja, Mary Jane, and a vast
number of other slang terms.

21. 5.
HALLUCINOGENS
•Drugs which distort reality
and facts.
•Affects all senses; makes a
user feel, hear, see things
that don’t exist in the time
being.
•Came from the word
hallucinate (to
perceive
illusions)
• Examples are: Lysergic Acid
diethylamide, psilocybin
(obtained from mushrooms and
mescaline

22. •Lysergic acid diethylamide,
also known as acid, is a
psychedelic drug known for
its psychological effects.

23. 6.
INHALANTS
• Found in ordinary household
chemical products and
anesthetics.
• Readily available and accessible
to young children
• Inhalant toxins are similar to
those of alcohol, the only
difference is the foul smell.
• Abuse can lead to delusions,
brain damage, liver damage,
comatose and death.
• Examples are acetone, rugby
(solvent), spray paints,
cleaning fluids and air
conditioner fluids (Freon).

24. • Examples are acetone, rugby
(solvent), spray paints,
cleaning fluids and air
conditioner fluids (Freon).

25. 6 CLASSIFICATIONS OF
DRUGS ARE:
1.Gateway Drugs
2.Depressant
Drugs 3.Stimulant
Drugs
4.Narcotics
5.Hallucinogen
s 6.Inhalants

26. GUIDE
QUESTIONS 
1.Why is it important to know the
classifications of drugs?
2.Do you think knowing the
classification of drugs will help us
someday in our
lives?