Listed below are some of the drugs used in our area. The information you see has been collected and gathered by the United States Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency.

**Please remember that all drugs have one thing in common. They change you and the kind of person you are. Drugs are addictive, and the more you use them, the more important they become to you, more important than friends, more important than family, and sometimes more important than life. **

Cocaine and Crack

Cocaine is a powerful and fast acting central nervous stimulant that comes from the processed leaves of the Coca, plant, a native of South America. Cocaine may be "snorted through the nose, injected into the vein, or smoked to obtain what users call an intense "high" or euphoria. Another well-known form of Cocaine is called "Crack". Crack is a smokeable form of cocaine that is relatively cheap and easy to use.

Physical Effects of Cocaine

Regardless of how the drug is used and abused, Cocaine may produce the following physical effects:nIncreased Blood Pressure and heart rate, that can lead to heart attacks, Strokes, Nausea, headaches, seizures, chest pain, breathing difficulties, respiratory failure, trouble sleeping, loss of sex drive, reduced appetite, addiction, loss of sense of smell, nosebleeds, sores around nose and upper lip, problems swallowing and hoarseness, sinus problems, AIDs, Hepatitis, infections, bleeding in the Lungs coughing up blood and when the drug is used up, abusers fell depressed, anxious, paranoid, and may hallucinate.

Heroin and other Narcotics

Narcotics are a group of natural semi-synthetic and synthetic drugs that relieve pain and produce serious withdrawal symptoms after a period of repeated use. Some of the more well known drugs of this class are:

Heroin, Codeine, Hydromorphone, Dilaudid, Demerol, Fentamyl, Methadone

Some of these drugs can be legally possessed with a doctor’s prescription, but most problems associated with treatment by these drugs can be treated with medications that have fewer side effects or threat of addiction. While all of these drugs find their way to the illegal market, Heroin is probably the most widely used by drug addicts across the United States.

These drugs are usually injected, but can be taken in pill form as well. Any type of intravenous drug use is risky. Addicts often reuse needles and are careless about sharing them with others. Some of the diseases contracted this way are: AIDS, Hepatitis, and Tetanus, Sexually transmitted diseases including syphilis, collapsed veins, skin infections, and heart valve infections.

Physical Effects of Illegal Narcotics

Nausea and vomiting, problems concentrating, constricted pupils, droopy eyelids, impaired night vision, reduced appetite and sex drive, chronic constipation, itchy clammy skin and skin infections slow, irregular heart rate and low blood pressure, mood swings, menstrual irregularity, more likely chance of contracting Tuberculosis, pneumonia, tetanus, and viral hepatitis, Endocarditis, HIV infection, deep sleep progressing to Coma, drug dependence, addiction and DEATH.

Inhalants

Inhalants are a group of products found in most homes and workshops. They reportedly produce a "high" when they are deliberately inhaled or sniffed. Inhalants in various forms have been and continue to be among the most abused drugs worldwide.  Among the most commonly abused inhalants today are:

Gasoline, glue, typewriter correction fluid, spray paint, lacquer thinner, butane, cooking spray, fabric protectors, and nitrous oxide.

Abusers claim that they receive a 15 to 45 minute "high" or light-headedness. Once the high is over, most experience pounding headaches, upset stomachs, and bad breath.

Physical Effects of Abusing Inhalants

Impaired judgment, decreased coordination, coughing, nasal irritation and nosebleeds, increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, heart failure (known as sudden sniffing death), respiratory depression, suffocation, hangover, and DEATH!

Signs of Possible Inhalant abuse

There may be a chemical odor on body, clothes, or in the room.  Red, glassy, watery eyes, and dilated pupils, slurred speech, staggering gait and lack of coordination, inflamed nose, nosebleeds, and rashes around nose and mouth, loss of appetite, intoxication, seizure, and coma.

LSD, PCP Ecstasy, and Ice

LSD, or lysergic acid diethyl amide, was a drug that became popular in the 60's, and is one of the most powerful of the hallucinogenic drugs. It has regained that popularity with teens, college students, and many young adults. LSD is usually sold as "blotter acid". Users chew or swallow these small sheets of paper, which have been imprinted with liquid LSD. The drug is also available in tablets called "microdots" and in thin, gelatin squares known as "window panes".

LSD is easily absorbed into the human body, and can be ingested through mere contact. The substance can be absorbed through the fingertip or any other part of the body that contacts the drug. Many times the drug is printed to look like cartoon characters on tattoos similar to those found in bubble gum wrappers. Unfortunately many smaller children can confuse this with real tattoos, inadvertently putting the tattoo sticker on their skin and receiving a drug dosage designed for an average 160-pound adult.

Physical effects of LSD abuse

Anxiety or Panic attacks, also known as bad trips, distortion of time, space and body image.  A difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly, mood swings, often ranging from a hyper-interested mood to a withdrawn, disinterested mood.  An unacceptable behavior resulting from the confusion, panic, and paranoia that bad trips produce.  The possibility of "toxic psychosis" for those users already suffering from depression.  "Flashbacks" where for no apparent reason, the user experiences a previous LSD trip days, weeks, months, or even years later. Flashbacks are usually visual in nature and can be unpleasant and, in some cases terrifying.  Also DEATH!

PCP

Phencyclidine is a dissociative anesthetic that was removed from the American market after the discovery that patients became agitated and disoriented after use. Although PCP is popular in certain urban areas in the United States, experts believe most people who use it do so unknowingly. PCP is often used as an additive in or substitute for street drugs marketed as LSD, marijuana, mescaline and methamphetamine. Ketamine, an animal anesthetic known on the street as "Special K" is closely related to it and is sometime mistaken for it.

Harmful Effects of PCP

Mild euphoria and a feeling of relaxation, followed by depression.  Disorientation, anxiety and feelings of fear and panic may occur.  A feeling of power and hallucinations as well as "out-of-body sensations".  Some become "spacey", paranoid, lapse into wide-eyed staring and having problems speaking and moving properly.  Some users become so depressed that they become suicidal or hostile towards others. Also, since the drug is an anesthetic and blocks feelings of pain. Upset or angry users will fight attempts to restrain them beyond normal limits. They may act superhuman and may not respond to disabling techniques.

Ecstasy

"Ecstasy," "XTC", and "Adam" are some of the names given to MDMA, a synthetic drug that acts both as a stimulant and a hallucinogen. Ecstasy is not a new drug, but is achieving a new popularity as part of the "Rave" scene. Raves are underground, all night dance parties that attract teens and college age youth. Although alcohol is not usually part of the scene, such drugs as LSD and ecstasy sometimes are. Partygoers use ecstasy for a false sense of well-being and the sensory distortion it produces and to help them stay awake through an hours long event like a rave or club party.

Harmful Effects of Ecstasy

Increased heart rate, reduces appetite, causes sleep problems, produces depression, anxiety, and drug cravings, blurred vision, teeth clenching, dry mouth, nausea and sweating, stiffness in arms and legs, and problems with memory.

Ice

"Ice" is a very pure form of methamphetamine ("speed") that produces an intense, long-lasting high. Ice is an extremely addictive stimulant. Ice is a clear crystalline substance that looks like tiny chunks of ice.. Although it may be snorted or injected, it is usually smoked in a glass pipe.

Harmful Effects of Ice

Loss of appetite, sleeplessness, mood swings (elation, depression, paranoia) unpredictable behavior, tremors, dry mouth, nausea, cramps and vomiting, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, cardiovascular shock, convulsions, coma and DEATH!

Marijuana

Marijuana is the illegal drug most commonly used in the United States. An estimated 3 million Americans smoke it every day in hand rolled cigarettes, tiny pipes, or water pipes called "bongs". Marijuana is a mood-altering drug. It comes from the leaves, small stem and flowering tops of the hemp plant, Cannabis Sativa. Although cannabis contains over 400 chemicals, one substance, known as THC, is chiefly responsible for the intoxication it produces.

Harmful Effects of Marijuana

Users have trouble thinking or talking clearly.  Speech becomes choppy and thoughts jump from subject to subject.  Loss of judgment, loss of motor skills and coordination, loss of memory, loss of motivation, withdrawal from social circles, failure to acquire appropriate social skills, mood swings and irritability, decreased attention span, damage to respiratory tract and reproductive system.  Sore throats, coughs, and Bronchitis.