Illegal Drugs

1
Illegal Drugs

• An Overview of Common Illegal Drugs and Trends of
  America

2
Trends of America

• Drug usage is at an all time high in America!
• Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug
• Cocaine is on a major comeback
• Heroin, Methamphetamine, Steroids, and Inhalants
  are all growing in popularity

3
Marijuana

• Also known as Chronic, Dope, Herb, etc.
• Most widely used illegal drug in the world.
• Gateway drug and can lead to other serious drugs.
• Derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant.

4
Effects of Marijuana

• THC is the chemical in Marijuana that is
  responsible for its psychoactive effects.
• Effects both the Brain and the Central Nervous
  System
• Impairs thinking, mood, memory, and coordination
• Brain cells and Pituitary Glands damaged
• Speeds up heart rate and increase blood pressure

5
Effects cont.

• Blood shot eyes with dilated pupils
• Damages of air sacs in the lungs, increasing the
  chance of emphysema
• Marijuana smoke has twice as much tar as
  cigarette smoke, and increases the chance of lung
  cancer
• Feelings of panic, anxiety and distrust can be
  experienced

6
Cocaine

• Also known as Coke, C, Snow, or Blow.
• Is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly
  affects the brain.
• One of the oldest known drugs
• Derived from coca leaves.
• Two chemical forms of Cocaine
• Hydrochloride salt
• Freebase

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Types of Cocaine

• Hydrochloride Salt
• Powdered form of cocaine.
• Can be taken through the veins or in the nose.

8
Types of Cocaine

• Freebase
• Smokable form of Cocaine
• Referred to as Crack.

9
Short Term Effects

• Constricted Blood Vessels
• Dilated Pupils
• Increased heart rate, temperature, and blood
  pressure
• Mental alertness
• Increased energy
• Decreased Appetite

10
Long Term Effects

• Addiction
• Restlessness
• Irritability and mood disturbances
• Paranoia
• Auditory Hallucinations

11
Heroin

• Also known as Smack, Horse, Junk, Skag, Brown,
  Harry, H, etc.
• Drug extracted from the seed pod of certain poppy
  plants.
• Highly addictive drug
• Rapidly gaining popularity

12
Heroin

• Can be snorted, smoked, or more commonly
  injected.
• Injection will effect the body quicker.

13
Short Term Effects of Heroin

• Rush
• Depressed Respiration
• Clouded Mental Functioning
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Suppression of Pain
• Spontaneous Abortion

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Long Term Effects of Heroin

• Addiction
• Abscesses
• Collapsed Veins
• Bacterial Infections
• Infection of heart lining and valves
• Arthritis
• Infectious Diseases, ex. HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B
  and C