Test Your Knowledge

Many different types of legal and illegal drugs are abused. They can be taken in a variety of ways, such as swallowing pills, smoking and injection in a vein. They include:

• Cannabinoids (chemicals found in the cannabis plant, which effect physical and mental processes). It is usually smoked in pipes, and sometimes in joints mixed with tobacco. It can also be added to brownies or other food and ingested. When smoked or eaten, the following cannabinoids produce intoxicating effects, such as mild euphoria:
  
  
• • Hashish (hash). A type of cannabis that comes from the resin of the plant. The resin is dried and pressed into a solid lump.
    
    
  • Marijuana. A type of cannabis that comes from the flowers of the plant.
    
    
• Depressants (medications that suppress the nervous system, causing the body to slow down and relax). They usually come in pill form and can be habit-forming when taken in high doses for long periods of time. Types include:
  
  
• • Barbiturates. A class of drugs that slow down the central nervous system (CNS) and cause relaxation. They are commonly prescribed as sleeping medications and for seizure prevention.
    
    
  • Benzodiazepines. Medications used to produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms and prevent seizures. They can be habit-forming when taken in high doses for long periods of time.
    
    
  • Methaqualone. A sedative-hypnotic drug that is often abused. Its trade name is Quaalude.
    
    
• Club drugs. (Recreational drugs often used at dance clubs, parties and concerts). Types include:
  
  
• • Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Commonly known by the street name ecstasy or XTC, a synthetic, psychoactive drug which usually comes in pill form.
    
    
  • Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). Central nervous system depressant that is colorless, tasteless and odorless and can be added to beverages and ingested unknowingly. Street names include liquid ecstasy and soap.
    
    
  • Ketamine. Anesthetic approved for both human and animal use only in medical settings. It can be injected or snorted. It is sometimes called vitamin K or special K.
    
    
  • Rohypnol. Trade name for flunitrazepam. Although not approved in the United States, its use began appearing in the early 1990s. It is sometimes called roofies.
    
    
  • Methamphetamine. A stimulant drug that can also increase blood pressure and heart rate. It can be smoked, snorted or injected. Crystal meth is among its street names.

GHB, ketamine and rohypnol are also called “date rape drugs” because they have been used to temporarily disable sexual assault victims.

• Hallucinogens (psychoactive drugs that induce hallucinations or altered sensory perceptions). Types include:
  
  
• • Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). A powerful drug that causes intensification and alteration of the senses, feelings, memories and self-awareness. It is sometimes called acid. It can come in many forms, but is usually swallowed.
    
    
  • Phencyclidine (PCP). A depressant drug developed in the 1950s as an intravenous anesthetic. However, PCP was never actually used for that purpose because of severe side effects. Today, it is sold illegally as a recreational drug. It causes memory loss, hallucinations and seizures. It is sometimes called angel dust.
    
    
  • Mescaline. A hallucinogen obtained from the peyote cactus and certain other cacti native to Central and South America.
    
    
  • Psilocybin. A hallucinogenic compound obtained from certain types of mushrooms.
    
    
• Opioids (painkilling drugs prescribed to treat acute pain, cancer pain or chronic pain) and morphine derivatives. Types include:
  
  
• • Codeine. Sedative and pain-relieving agent obtained from opium. It is also used in cough medication as cough suppressant.

• • Fentanyl. Narcotic opioid drugs used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain.
    
    
  • Heroin. An illegal, highly addictive drug made from morphine, which is derived from the opium poppy. It can be snorted, smoked or injected.
    
    
  • Morphine. The most commonly used opioid drug. It is used to treat severe pain.
    
    
  • Opium. Drug obtained from the unripe seed pods of the opium poppy.
    
    
  • Oxycodone. Very powerful opioid pain medication. It is similar to codeine, but is more potent and has a higher potential for dependency. Drugs abusers tend to crush it up and add it to beverages.
    
    
  • Hydrocodone. Semisynthetic narcotic pain reliever and cough suppressant similar to codeine. It is prescribed for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain.
    
    
• Stimulants (drugs that act on the central nervous system to produce excitation, alertness and wakefulness).
  
  
• • Amphetamines. Medication with a stimulating effect on the central and peripheral nervous system. It increases energy and decreases appetite.
    
    
  • Cocaine. A highly addictive stimulant drug from the leaves of the coca plant that elicits sensations of euphoria, restlessness, excitement and well-being. It can be snorted or smoked.
    
    
  • Nicotine. Addictive drug found in tobacco.
    
    
• Other drugs. These include:
  
  
• • Anabolic steroids. A class of natural and synthetic steroid hormones that promote cell growth and division, resulting in growth of muscle tissue and sometimes bone size and strength.
    
    
  • Inhalants. Substances that are inhaled. Many recreational drugs fall under this category, as do many common household chemicals that produce fumes, including glue, gasoline, aerosol sprays and paint thinner.