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Ritalin

August 28, 2010 By

Ritalin (AKA Kibles and bits, Pineapple), the trade name for methylphenidate, is a medication prescribed for children with an abnormally high level of activity or with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is also occasionally prescribed for treating narcolepsy.   It stimulates the central nervous system, with effects similar to but less potent than amphetamines and more potent than caffeine.   Ritalin has a notably calming effect on hyperactive children and a “focusing” effect on those with ADHD.

When taken as prescribed, Ritalin is a valuable medicine. Further, research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health has shown that people with ADHD do not get addicted to their stimulant medications at treatment dosages. Because of its stimulant properties, however, in recent years there have been reports of its abuse by people for whom it is not a medication. These prescription tablets can create powerful stimulant effects and serious health risks when crushed and then snorted like cocaine, or injected like heroin.

What does it look like?
Ritalin is in pill or tablet form.

What are its short-term effects?

Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a central nervous system stimulant, similar to amphetamines in the nature and duration of its effects. It is believed that it works by activating the brain stem arousal system and cortex.   Pharmacologically, it works on the neurotransmitter dopamine, and in that respect resembles the stimulant characteristics of cocaine. Short-term effects can include nervousness and insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, changes in heart rate and blood pressure (usually elevation of both, but occasionally depression), skin rashes and itching, abdominal pain, weight loss, and digestive problems, toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug dependence syndrome, and severe depression upon withdrawal.

What are its long-term effects?

High doses of stimulants produce a predictable set of symptoms that include loss of appetite (may cause serious malnutrition), tremors and muscle twitching, fevers, convulsions, and headaches (may be severe), irregular heartbeat and respirations (may be profound and life threatening), anxiety, restlessness, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions, excessive repetition of movements and meaningless tasks, and formicaton (sensation of bugs or worms crawling under the skin).

Source: Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC)

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Percocet

August 28, 2010 By

Percocet (AKA Percs), a narcotic analgesic, is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.   It contains two drugs–acetaminophen and oxycodone. Acetaminophen is used to reduce both pain and fever.

What does it look like? Percocet is commonly found in tablet form.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Common Side Effects

  • Dizziness
  • Light-headedness
  • Nausea
  • Sedation
  • Vomiting

Less Common Side Effects

  • Constipation
  • Depressed feelings
  • Exaggerated feeling of well-being
  • Itchy skin
  • Skin rash
  • Slowed breathing

Symptoms of Overdose

Symptoms of Percocet overdose may include:

  • Bluish skin, eyes or skin with yellow tone
  • Cold and clammy skin
  • Decreased or irregular breathing (ceasing in severe overdose)
  • Extreme sleepiness progressing to stupor or coma
  • Heart attack
  • Low blood pressure
  • Muscle weakness
  • Nausea
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Vague bodily discomfort
  • Vomiting

A severe overdose of Percocet can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical help immediately.

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine

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Prozac

August 28, 2010 By

Fluoxetine (Prozac, AKA Distas, Limes, Green & White, Pros, Greens, Zacs), an antidepressant (mood elevator), is used to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and some eating disorders.  Fluoxetine (Sarafem) is used to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What does it look like?

Percocet is commonly found in tablet form.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects from fluoxetine are common:

  • upset stomach
  • drowsiness
  • weakness or tiredness
  • excitement or anxiety
  • insomnia
  • nightmares
  • dry mouth
  • skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual
  • changes in appetite or weight

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
  • slow or difficult speech
  • shuffling walk
  • persistent, fine tremor or inability to sit still
  • fever, chills, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • severe skin rash or hives
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • irregular heartbeat

Source: NIDA, U.S. National Library of Medicine

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Dex

August 28, 2010 By

Dextromethorphan (AKA Dex, Skittles, Syrup, DXM, Robo, Tussin) is a legal, over-the-counter, semisynthetic narcotic available in many cough suppressants in the United States and most countries.  Any drug name with DM or Tuss in it contains the drug.

What does it look like?

DXM comes in many different forms. The most common are various over-the-counter cough suppressants (including Robitussin, Delsym, Pertussin, Drixoral, Vicks formula 44, and several generic brands). Each brand contains different quantities of dextromethorphan, generally in the 20-30 mg per capsule range.

How is it used?

Swallowed.

What are its short-term effects?

Symptoms of an overdose include flushing, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, seizures, confusion, high blood pressure (headache, redness of face, blurred vision), an irregular heartbeat, numbness of fingers or toes, hyperactivity, and hallucinations.

Yes, teens are abusing over the counter drugs

In 2008, 1.9 million youth (or 7.7 percent) age 12 to 17 abused prescription drugs, with 1.6 million (6.5 percent) abusing a prescription pain medication. That makes painkillers among the most commonly abused drugs by teens after tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. In fact, each day an average of 2,000 teenagers age 12 to 17 used a prescription drug without a doctor’s guidance for the first time.

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Nitrous Oxide

August 28, 2010 By

Nitrous Oxide (AKA: Whippets, Laughing Gas, Nitrous, Hippy Crack, N2O) is a gas that is commonly used as an anesthetic and is commonly found in dental offices. It is classified as an inhalant. It was first created in 1772 by Joseph Priestly, an English Scientist. N2O is used in whipped cream as both a foaming agent and a bacterial fighter.

What does it look like?Nitrous is most frequently used in the form of whipped cream chargers, small metal cartridges which are “cracked” either into a whipped cream canister or with a special cracker* into a balloon for inhalation..

It is also found in large metal tanks (often sold at clubs by the dose).

*A cracker is a device that is used to extract N2O from whippet cartridges. The device (often homemade) punctures the whippet and fills a balloon with N2O gas, which is then inhaled.

What are the effects?

  • Slurred speech
  • Difficulty maintaining balance
  • Unconsciousness
  • Deficiency of vitamin B-12
  • Long term numbing sensations at nerve endings
  • Permanent loss of balance
  • Disorientation
  • Fixated vision
  • Throbbing or pulsating auditory hallucinations
  • Pulsating visual hallucinations
  • Increased pain threshold
  • Addiction
  • Death (Approximately 100 deaths each year are attributed to the illegal use of N2O)

Because the intoxication, or “high,” lasts only a few minutes, abusers often try to make the feeling last longer by inhaling repeatedly over several hours.

Yes, teens are using Nitrous Oxide.

Inhalants are often among the first drugs that young adolescents use. In fact, they are one of the few classes of substances that are abused more by younger adolescents than older ones.  Inhalant abuse can become chronic and continue into adulthood.

Data from national and state surveys suggest that inhalant abuse is most common among 7th- through 9th-graders. For example, in the Monitoring the Future Study, an annual NIDA-supported survey of the Nation’s secondary school students, 8th-graders regularly report the highest rate of current, past-year, and lifetime inhalant abuse compared to 10th- and 12th-graders. One of the problems is that, according to the 2009 survey, 42 percent of 8th-graders don’t consider the regular use of inhalants to be harmful, and 66 percent don’t think trying inhalants once or twice is risky. It means that young teens may not understand the risks of inhalant use as well as they should.

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LSD (Acid)

August 28, 2010 By

LSD (AKA Acid, Doses, Hits, Bartman, Gelatin chips, Microdot, Sugar Cubs, Tabs, Trips, Boomers, Yellow Sunshines) is Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. It is one of the most potent mood-altering chemicals.

What does it look like?
Acid can be found in tablets, capsules and sometimes in liquid form. It is odorless, colorless and has a mild bitter taste. It is usually taken orally. Acid is added to absorbent paper and is then divided into small, decorated squares that look like stamps. Each square represents one dose. Typically, each dose contains 20 to 80 micrograms of LSD. During the 60′s and 70′s, dosages ranged from 100 to 200 micrograms and higher.

What are the immediate effects?

The effects of LSD are unpredictable depending on the amount taken, the surroundings in which the drug is used, and on the user’s personality, mood and expectations. Usually the effects of the drug are felt 30 to 90 minutes after the drug is ingested.

Physical effects include:

  • Visual and auditory hallucinations
  • Dilated pupils
  • Panic and extreme confusion
  • Higher body temperature
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Sweating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Sleeplessness
  • Dry mouth
  • Numbness
  • Weakness
  • Trembling
  • A bad trip

What are the long-term effects?

  • Persistent Psychosis
  • Hallucinogen Perception Disorder (Flashbacks)

Yes, teens are using LSD.

In 2008, 802,000 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 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2008 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 1.3% of 8th graders, 1.8% of 10th graders, and 2.7% of 12th graders had abused LSD at least once in the year prior to being surveyed.

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GHB

August 28, 2010 By

The long version: Gamma-hydroxbutyrate (AKA: Grievous Bodily Harm, G, Liquid X, Georgia Home Boy, Gamma-Oh, Fantasy, Scoop, Water, Everlear, Great Hormones at Bedtime, GBH, Soap, Easy Lay, Salty Water, G-Riffick, Cherry Meth, Organic Quaalude, Georgy Home Boy, Grievous Bodily Harm, Jib).

What does it look like?

GHB can be produced in a clear
liquid, tablet, white powder and capsule form.

What are the immediate effects?

  • Intoxication
  • Increased energy
  • Loss of coordination
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Slurred Speech
  • Blacking out
  • Giddiness
  • Desire to sleep
  • Confusion
  • Tremors
  • Respiratory Arrest
  • Unconsciousness
  • Hallucinations

What are the long-term effects?

Overdosing on GHB can occur quickly and can result in a coma or death (how’s that for long-term).

Warning: GHB has been involved in poisonings, overdoses, “date rapes” and death.  Using GHB with alcohol only increases the likelihood of adverse effects.

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Ecstasy

August 28, 2010 By

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (AKA Ecstasy, XTC, X, Adam, Charity, Lover’s Speed, Bean, M, Roll, Go, Hug drug, Candy, E) belongs to a family of drugs called “entactogens”, which means “touching within.”  It is both a stimulant and a hallucinogen.  MDMA was developed in the early 1900′s and was originally used by psychologists as a therapeutic tool. It was used in small doses in a controlled environment.

What does it look like?

MDMA is usually swallowed as
a tablet or capsule. Usually, the
dosage per tablet is 100mg,
although tablets vary in size.

What are the immediate effects?

MDMA can have the following effects:

  • Significant increase in heart rate
  • Increase in body temperature that may lead to muscle breakdown, kidney failure, and cardiovascular system failure.
  • Visual hallucinations
  • Dehydration
  • Increase in sense of alertness
  • Heart attacks
  • Strokes
  • Seizures
  • Depression

What are the long-term effects?

MDMA is a neurotoxic (toxic to neurons). Continued or chronic use has been found to cause long lasting and sometimes permanent damage to the neurons that release serotonin, leading to memory loss.

WARNING: Dehydration doesn’t sound like a big deal, but several people have died while dancing on E.  Mixing alcohol and E increases the risk of bad reactions.

Yes, teens are using ecstasy.

  • 28% of teens know a friend or classmate who has used Ecstasy, with 17% knowing more than one Ecstasy user.
  • 10% of teens say that they have been to a rave, at which Ecstasy was available at more than two-thirds of these events.
  • Ecstasy use in 12th graders rose from 5.6% in 1999 to 8.2% in 2000, and for the first time. Additionally, 8th graders showed increased rates in their use of Ecstasy.

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Dance Drugs

August 28, 2010 By

Club drugs are active.  For example, chronic abuse of ecstasy appears to produce long-term damage of serotonin-containing neurons in the brain.   Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating emotion, memory, sleep, pain, and higher order cognitive processes.   It is likely that Ecstasy use can cause a variety of long-term behavioral consequences as well as impairing brain functions and memory.

As you read about the immediate effects that club drugs have on your body, you will see that increased body temperature, increased heart rate and dehydration are common. While these effects may not seem serious, when they are combined with already high temperatures and increased heart rate from dancing, the results can be fatal.


Because some club drugs are odorless and colorless, they can easily be added to a beverage and can leave someone unconscious.  When you’re at a club, never leave your beverage out of your view.  If you think that something has been put in your drink, tell a friend and have him or her call 911 immediately.

Uncertainties about the sources, chemicals, and possible contaminants used to manufacture many club drugs make it extremely difficult to determine toxicity and resulting medical consequences.

Remember to drink plenty of water when you’re dancing.

For more information on …
Dex
Ecstasy
GHB
Heroin
LSD (Acid)
Marijuana
Nitrous Oxide
Percocet
Prozac
Ritalin
Soma
Vicodin

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Steroids

August 28, 2010 By

Steroids (AKA Roids, Juice) are synthetic compounds that are closely related to the male sex hormone, testosterone.

What do they look like?

Steroids are found in a liquid and tablet form and are injected intramuscularly or taken orally.

What are the immediate effects?

  • Increase in energy and athletic ability
  • Immediate rush after injecting or swallowing

What are the long-term effects?

  • Quick weight and muscle gain
  • Extremely aggressive behavior or “Roid Rage”
  • Severe skin rashes
  • High blood pressure
  • Impotence, withered testicles
  • In females, development of irreversible masculine traits
  • Reduced sperm count
  • Baldness
  • Increased risk for prostrate cancer
  • Growth halted prematurely
  • Liver tumors
  • Severe acne

Did you also know…?

  • There are other healthy ways to gain weight and increase muscle mass
  • Frequent use of steroids can cause men to grow breasts

Steroids are used legitimately for medical uses including treating anemia, severe burns and some types of breast cancer.

Yes, teenagers are using steroids.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, the percentage of students who reported lifetime steroid use increased during 1991–2003 (2.7%–6.1%) and then decreased during 2003–2005 (6.1%–4.0%).  Using the CDC’s 4% current lifetime user’s stat, we get an estimated 660,000 students (14 to 17 years of age) who’ve admitted to steroid use as of the year 2005.

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