Descriptions of Street Drugs
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Brief Description:
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An addictive stimulant that is closely related to amphetamine, but has
longer lasting and more toxic effects on the central nervous system. It
has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
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Street Names:
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Speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, glass. |
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Effects:
| Increases wakefulness and physical activity and decreases appetite. Chronic, long-term use can lead to psychotic behavior, hallucinations, and stroke.
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Statistics
and Trends:
| In 2006, 1.9 million Americans age 12 and older had abused methamphetamine at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 1.1% of 8th graders, 1.6% of 10th graders, and 1.7% of 12th graders had abused methamphetamine at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.
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Brief Description:
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Typically used by teenagers and young adults at bars, clubs, concerts,
and parties. The most common club drugs include Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB,
Rohypnol, ketamine, methamphetamine, and acid (LSD).
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Street Names:
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XTC, X (MDMA); Special K, Vitamin K (ketamine); liquid ecstasy, soap (GHB); roofies (Rohypnol)..
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Effects:
| Chronic use of MDMA may lead to changes in brain function. GHB abuse can cause coma ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, and other problems. Mixed with alcohol, Rohypnol can incapacitate users and cause amnesia.
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Statistics
and Trends:
| The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 0.7% of 8th graders, 0.7% of 10th graders, and 1.0% of 12th graders had abused Rohypnol; 0.7% of 8th graders, 0.6% of 10th graders, and 0.9% of 12th graders had abused GHB; and 1.0% of 8th graders, 0.8% of 10th graders, and 1.3% of 12th graders had abused ketamine at least once in the year prior to their being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/
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Brief
Description:
| An addictive drug that is processed from morphine and usually appears as a white or brown powder.
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Street Names:
| Smack, H, ska, junk, and many others.
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Effects:
| Short-term effects include a surge of euphoria followed by alternately wakeful and drowsy states and cloudy mental functioning. Associated with fatal overdose and- particularly in users who inject the drug-infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.
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Statistics
and Trends:
| In 2006, 560,000 Americans age 12 and older had abused heroin at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 0.8% of 8th graders, 0.8% of 10th graders, and 0.9% of 12th graders had abused heroin at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.
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Brief Description:
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A powerfully addictive drug that is snorted, sniffed, injected, or
smoked. Crack is cocaine that has been processed from cocaine
hydrochloride to a free base for smoking.
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Street Names:
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Coke, snow, flake, blow, and many others.
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Effects:
| A powerfully addictive drug, cocaine usually makes the user feel euphoric and energetic. Common health effects include heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, and seizures. Large amounts can cause bizarre and violent behavior. In rare cases, sudden death can occur on the first use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter.
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Statistics
and Trends:
| In 2006, 6 million Americans age 12 and older had abused cocaine in any form and 1.5 million had abused crack at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 2.0% of 8th graders, 3.4% of 10th graders, and 5.2% of 12th graders had abused cocaine in any form and 1.3% of 8th graders, 1.3% of 10th graders, and 1.9% of 12th graders had abused crack at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.
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Alcohol
For information on alcohol abuse, please visit:
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Brief
Description:
| The most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S. The main active chemical is THC.
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Street Names:
| Pot, ganga, weed, grass, and many others.
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Effects:
| Short-term effects include memory and learning problems, distorted perception, and difficulty thinking and solving problems.
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Statistics
and Trends:
| In 2006, 25 million Americans age 12 and older had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 10.3% of 8th graders, 24.6% of 10th graders, and 31.7% of 12th graders had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.
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The latest form on the streets is K2, which is a synthetic Cannabis. The active ingredient in K2 is JWH-018, a chemical more potent than THC in marijuana. Like many NEW drugs, it is not regulated yet and is sold in head shops and some lounges around town as incense for a mere $30-50. Smokers of K2 experience a high 10x as strong as marijuana, ending up with some in the hospital emergency rooms.
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Brief
Description:
| Breathable chemical vapors that users intentionally inhale because of the chemicals' mind-altering effects. The substances inhaled are often common household products that contain volatile solvents or aerosols.
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Street Names:
| Whippets, poppers, snappers.
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Effects:
| Most inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication. If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce a loss of sensation, and even unconsciousness.
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Statistics
and Trends:
| The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 8.3% of 8th graders, 6.6% of 10th graders, and 3.7% of 12th graders had abused inhalants at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.
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Brief
Description:
| One of the strongest mood-changing drugs. It is sold as tablets, capsules, liquid, or on absorbent paper.
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Street Names:
| Acid, blotter, and many others.
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Effects:
| Unpredictable psychological effects. With large enough doses, users experience delusions and visual hallucinations. Physical effects include increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; sleeplessness; and loss of appetite.
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Statistics
and Trends:
| In 2006, 666,000 Americans age 12 and older had abused LSD at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 1.1% of 8th graders, 1.9% of 10th graders, and 2.1% of 12th graders had abused LSD at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.
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The information contained above is from the NIDA web site. For more information on drug abuse, visit: http://www.drugabuse.gov/
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