Drugs Erin Gahan, Maria Diaz, Peter Do, Sarah Crawford, Thao Hoang.

DrugsErin Gahan, Maria Diaz, Peter Do, Sarah Crawford, Thao Hoang

Marijuana

● Derived from the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa

● Gateway Drug

Legal Implications of Weed

● Medical License● <1 Oz● >1 Oz

Effects of marijuana use

● Anxiety● Appetite

Increases● Paranoia

Adolescent Use

Possible Health Risks

● Lung Complications (Unproven)

● Life achievements, Physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status (Heavy)*

Cocaine

● Derived from the leaves

of the coca plant

● Commonly used in

wealthy people

Method of use:

● Swallowed● Snorted● Smoking in rock form (Crack

Cocaine) o Absorbed in 10 secondso Can be made cheaply o Addicted quickly

Image taken from Google

Cocaine and Pregnancy

● Early stage → miscarriage

● Later stage → Trigger labor, unborn baby to die, stroke that can cause brain damage.

● Placenta may pull away from the uterus and can harm the unborn baby

Cocaine Babies

● Low birth weight → 40 times more likely to die

● Organs are malformed and have missing limbs

● Go through withdrawal in the beginning of birth

● Twice as likely to have delay in mental skills by age 2.

● Have lower test scores● 14% scores in the

mental retardation range.

Hallucinogens● Hallucinogenic compounds

found in some plants and mushrooms have been used for centuries

● Many have chemical structures similar to those of natural neurotransmitters.

● Research suggests these drugs work by temporarily interfering with neurotransmitter action or by binding to their receptor sites.

● 4 common types:o LSD o Peyoteo Psilocybino PCP

LSD

● Description/Usage● Effects on the Brain● Other adverse health effects● Abuse

Peyote

● Description/Usage● Effects on the Brain● Other adverse health effects● Abuse

o Difficult to gauge the extent of its use because most data sources that quantify drug use exclude this drug, along with Psilocybin.

Psilocybin

● Description/Usage● Effects on the Brain● Other adverse health effects● Abuse

PCP

● Description/Usage● Effects on the Brain● Other adverse health effects● Abuse

Treatment for Hallucinogens

● Treatment is usually sought as a result of “bad trips”

● Treatments usually supportive● Occasionally medications are

used● Very little published data on

treatment outcomes for specifically PCP intoxication

Methamphetamine● Also known as:

o Metho Crystalo Chalko Ice

● Extremely addictive stimulant

● Normally takes a white, odorless, bitter-tasting form

drugabuse.gov

How It’s Made:● Synthetic chemical● Manufactured in illegal,

hidden labs● Made out of household

items:o Common cold

remedies (Sudafed)o Battery acido Drain cleanero Lantern fuelo Antifreeze

● Dangerous!*drugfreeworld.org

Who Uses?● 1 in 33 teens surveyed has

tried meth, and 25% of those said it was readily available

● 1.4 million persons aged 12 or older (0.6% of the US population) had used methamphetamine during the past year

● 600,000 (0.2% of the US population) had used it during the past month

Methods of Use:

Can be:● Injected (most

frequent)● Smoked● Snorted● Ingested

jcsd.org

Short Term Effects:

● Loss of appetite

● Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature

● Dilation of pupils

● Disturbed sleep patterns

● Nausea

● Bizarre, erratic, sometimes violent behavior

● Hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability

● Panic and psychosis

● Convulsions, seizures and death from high doses

drugfreeworld.org

Long Term Effects:● Permanent damage to blood vessels of heart and brain, high blood pressure leading

to heart attacks, strokes and death

● Liver, kidney and lung damage

● Destruction of tissues in nose if sniffed

● Respiratory (breathing) problems if smoked

● Infectious diseases and abscesses if injected

● Malnutrition, weight loss

● Severe tooth decay

● Disorientation, apathy, confused exhaustion

● Strong psychological dependence

● Psychosis

● Depression

● Damage to the brain similar to Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and epilepsydrugfreeworld.org

Meth & Pregnancy:Estimated 19,000 crystal meth users are pregnant

Life Threatening Conditions

● High blood pressure

● Eclampsia

● Abrupted placenta

Complications During Labor and Delivery● Preterm labor and delivery

● C-Section

Effects of Meth on the Fetus

● DNA damage

● Intra-uterine growth retardation

● Premature birth

● Mortality/morbidity

● Fetal stroke

● Life-long challenges

pregnancy.loveetoknow.com

Meth & Death

Prevention Programs - Montana Meth Project:

Signs & Treatment:Signs and symptoms:

● Dilated pupils

● Weight loss

● Eye twitching

● Loss of appetite

● Repetitious behavior

● Hyperactivity

Treatment:

● Detoxification & withdrawal

● Treatment uses both medication and psychology to address underlying issues

● Meth has one of the highest relapse rates

http://drugabuse.com/library/crystal-meth-abuse/

Inhalants

What are inhalants?

They are toxic substances consumed through the nose or mouth

● Volatile Solvents○ Liquids that become a gas at room temperature

● Aerosol○ Sprays that contain propellants and solvents

● Gases○ household or commercial products, used in the medical field

to relieve pain.

● Nitrites○ used primarily for sexual enhancers

Types of Inhalants

Volatile Solvents● nail polish remover● degreaser● dry-cleaning fluid● gasoline● correction fluid

Aerosol● spray paint● hair spray● deodorant spray● vegetable oil spray● fabric protector spray

Gases● butane lighters● propane tanks● whipped cream dispensers● nitrous oxide (laughing gas)

Nitrites● video head cleaner● room odorizer● leather cleaner● liquid aroma

Short Term Effects

● Drunk, Dizzy, dazed appearance● Inability to coordinate movement● Hallucination / Delusions● Hostility● Apathy● Impaired Judgement● Unconsciousness● Headaches

Long Term Effects

● Muscle Weakness● Disorientation● Lack of coordination● Irritability● Depression● Damage to the heart, liver, kidney, lungs, brain● Memory impairment● Bone Marrow damage

● Decrease in Inhalant use in the past 4 years

● 8th Graders have the highest percentage of past month, past year, and lifetime inhalant use

Ways teachers and parents can recognized if kids are using inhalants

● Chemical odor on breath or clothes● Slurred speech● Lack of coordination● Depression● Hidden empty sprays/ chemical soaked

rags or clothes● Stains (chemical) in face, hands, or

clothes