DRUGS

Any natural or man made substance which has a physiological or psychological effect on the body.

Some drugs can be beneficial, such as ones prescribed to you by your doctor.

When the substance is controlled or prohibited by the government. Example: Cocaine

If it is a prescription medication prescribed to someone other than yourself. Example: taking your friends Ritalin.

If it is used for a reason other than what it was intended for.

You are not of age to use the drug. Examples: alcohol and cigarettes.

The last time statistics were taken in Riverside, it was reported that 68% of pregnant teens in Riverside got pregnant under the influence of drugs and or alcohol!

One in four teens have used marijuana in the past 30 days.

Four out of five students have used alcohol by the end of high school.

Teens who drink underage or use drugs are up to 5 times more likely than their peers to drop out of high school.

It’s estimated that 1 in 20 Americans has an alcohol dependency problem.

Alcohol is the most deadly drug available to youth, and it is associated with all of the leading causes of death among teenagers, including traffic accidents, homicides and suicides, and increases the risk of contracting STDs and having unplanned pregnancies due to an altered state of mind.

REALLY!!

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a disability that causes mental disabilities, low birth weight , stunted growth, cleft palette, facial abnormalities, and a below average sized brain. Physical

characteristics include: thin lips, flat face, small eye opening, pointed small chin and a short nose.

Fighting Stealing Using illicit drugs Driving under the

influence Skipping school Feeling depressed Suicide

TOBACCO/ NICOTINETOBACCO/ NICOTINE

Over 2,000 teens become regular smokers everyday; 1/3 of them (approx. 665) of these teens will die from tobacco-related illnesses.

Chewing tobacco and snuff damage the lining of the mouth and throat, this can causes various kinds of cancers which can lead to death.

Nicotine is highly addictive; users experience withdrawal when the level of nicotine in their nervous system decreases and they may also experience relapse to nicotine when their recovery program is inadequate.

Gum Disease Tooth Decay Lung Cancer Esophageal Cancer Kidney Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Larynx Cancer Bladder Cancer Every cigarette has

over 4,000 chemicals; including 200 poisons.

The most commonly used drug illegal drug in the U.S.

Short-term effect include increases heart rate, lowers blood pressure, limits control of movements and can cause delusions and hallucinations.

Long-term effects include impaired learning ability, increased risk of cancer of the lung and respiratory tract, asthma, bronchitis and toxic psychosis.

If you're high on marijuana you are more likely to do things that could embarrass or even hurt you-such as driving under the influence or engaging in risky sexual behaviors.

For athletes, chemicals found in marijuana have an effect on timing, coordination, and movement-which can last for several hours-that can seriously hurt performance.

DESIGNER DRUGSDESIGNER DRUGSAKA “CLUB DRUGS”AKA “CLUB DRUGS”

Ecstasy/ MDMA LSD Methamphetamine Ketamine Rohypnol GHB – (Gamma-

Hydroxybutyerate)› can make victims pass out

so they cannot resist what is being done to them.

› initially used as recreational drugs at clubs and raves.

ECSTASY/ MDMAECSTASY/ MDMA Was first manufactured in Germany and was

originally supposed to be sold as a diet pill. MDMA is one of the most popular forms of ecstasy

tablets sold; commonly used in psychotherapy. Interferes with memory and learning and has been

shown to alter brain chemistry and structure. Increases heart rate and blood pressure and can

destroy the body’s ability to regulate temperature, which can lead to a drastic increase in body temperature that causes liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system failure and death.

METHAMPHETAMINE

Stimulant that increases alertness and elation.

Can be swallowed, smoked, snorted, or injected.

Side effects include: increased heart rate and blood pressure, decreased appetite, anxiety, paranoia violent behavior, and strokes.

Highly addictive

Before & After

KETAMINE

AKA "Special K", "Ket", "Kettle-mine", "K", "Horse Tranqulizer" or "Fantastic Ketamid."

Is a fast acting general anesthetic which is used in both humans and animals.

It comes in the form of a liquid, a powder or a tablet.

The powder resembles cocaine, it can be snorted, mixed into drinks or smoked.

It distorts balance, time judgment, and ability to communicate. Effects lasting 4-6 hours. Fully recovered in 48 hours.

Ryohypnol AKA “Roofies,” “Rophies,"

“Roach," and “Rope." Used as a sleeping agent. Pill form that are ingested by

mouth, usually in a drink. Effects lasting up to 8 hours.

Visual disturbance, drowsiness, confusion, motion difficulty, respiratory depression, and amnesia.

GHB AKA "liquid ecstasy," "soap,"

"easy lay," "vita-G," and "Georgia home boy."

It is used because it has a calming and euphoric effect.

A clear odorless liquid that has a salty taste. It takes effect in 15 minutes and can last several hours.

It is put in a drink which will mask the salty taste.

Muscle rigidity Depressed breathing Extreme toxic effects Loss of body control Tremors Dependency Birth defects Amnesia Brain damage Death

Designer drugs are illegal substances that are created to imitate the effects of other drugs. They are often produced by unskilled people who use sloppy techniques, therefore, some users have been known to have extreme, fatal reactions the first time they use.

- LAWS -

Simply possessing a controlled substance which is considered a date rape drug is punishable with up to three years in prison.

People convicted of rape using a date rape drug or any other form of drug (including alcohol) may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

In 1996 the Drug Induced Rape Prevention and Punishment act was passed.

The law made it a felony to give a controlled substance to anyone with the intent of committing a sexual assault or any other crime.

COCAINE May be the most addictive drug of all. Oldest known drug. Actually used in coca-cola when it was

first distributed. Ways of use are: chewing, snorting,

main lining, injecting and smoking. Produces a general state of euphoria. Slows, then increases heart rate, blood

pressure and breathing rate, constricts blood vessels, dries mouth, dilates pupils and exaggerates movements.

Can cause: birth defects, eating and sleeping disorders, impaired sexual performance, paranoia, hallucinations and death.

HEROINE AKA “horse,” “H,” “boy,” “stuff,” “smack,”

“mud,” “dope,” “tar,” “heron,” “china white,” and “lady.”

Heroin can be, injected directly into the vein, underneath the skin and or into the muscle, smoked and snorted.

Metabolizes into morphine and depresses central nervous system, suppressing pain sensation and decreasing feeling of anxiety.

Extremely addictive. Affects gastro-intestinal and respiratory systems,

causing constipation and slow breathing.

HOW TO CHECK FOR ADDICTION OR DEPENDENCY

Do you find it hard to cope without using? Is your work or school performance

affected by your drug use? Are you having problems with family and

friends? Do you use a variety of drugs? Do you need them to relieve feelings of

fatigue, depression or irritability?

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

Action (800) 282-5660 Crisis line for adults and adolescents who have substance abuse issues.

Riverside County Department of Mental Health Substance Abuse Program (951) 955-2105, Drug abuse counseling for individuals and families.