CLASSIFICATION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS (BASED ON DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 1972) 1. Prohibited Drugs – include all drugs that produce psychological effects of narcotics or those that relieve pain and induce sleep (Ex. Cocaine, LSD, marijuana, opium and its derivatives). 2. Regulated Drugs – include self-inducing sedatives like barbiturates or any similar to amphetamines or any hypnotic drugs or compound producing the same psychological effects. WHAT DRUGS ARE COMMONLY ABUSED? Drugs that are commonly abused depending on their pharmacological effects may be classified into: a. Stimulants (“Uppers”, Pep Pills, Speed, “Bonnies”) – drugs that stimulate the Central Nervous System. These substances tend to increase alertness and physical activity. Examples: Amphetamines, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Methylphenidate or MPH Effects of Stimulants
Stimulants can cause a wide variety of side effects and symptoms including increased heart rate and blood pressure, euphoria, talkativeness, anxiousness, elation and heart failure.
Addictiveness: Psychological dependence on the drugs (the need for larger and larger doses of drugs to produce the desired effects) b. Sedatives (Depressants or “Downers”) – are drugs produce temporary reduction of functional activity. They can sedate and induce sleep. Examples: Barbiturates, Non-barbiturates, Tranquilizer, Alcohol and Valium Effects & Dangers:
When used as prescribed by a doctor and taken at the correct dosage, depressants can help people feel calm and reduce angry feelings.
Larger doses can cause confusion, slurred speech, lack of coordination, and tremors.
Very large doses can cause a person to stop breathing and result in death.
Depressants and alcohol should never be mixed — this combination greatly increases the risk of overdose and death.
Addictiveness: Depressants can cause both psychological and physical dependence.
c.
Inhalants - substances that are sniffed or "huffed" to give the user an immediate rush or high. They include household products like glues, paint thinners, dry cleaning fluids, gasoline, felt-tip marker fluid, correction fluid, hair spray, aerosol deodorants, and spray paint. Effects & Dangers:
Inhalants make you feel giddy and confused, as if you were drunk. Long-time users get headaches, nosebleeds, and may suffer loss of hearing and sense of smell.
Inhalants are the most likely of abused substances to cause severe toxic reaction and death. Using inhalants, even one time, can kill you.
Addictiveness: Inhalants can be very addictive. Teens who use inhalants can become psychologically dependent upon them to feel good, deal with life, or handle stress. d. Hallucinogens (Psychedelics) – are drugs that affect a person's perception of sights, sounds, touch, smell etc. Some of the stronger hallucinogenic can exert a powerful effect on a drug users thinking and self-awareness. Examples: LSD, Mescaline and Marijuana. Effects & Dangers:
Hallucinogens cause panic, paranoia, recurrence and sometimes users feel strong suicidal urge, or have delusions of invulnerability that they tend to take high risks which can cause death.
It’s effects on the body are: increase pulse and heart beat, high temperature and blood pressure, dilated pupils, hands and feet shaking, wet mouth, nausea, and irregular breathing.
It’s effects on the mind are: distortion of senses, loss of ability to separate fact and fantasy, loss of sense of time and loss of ability to reason logically.
e. Narcotics – refer to drugs derived from opium or opium synthetics. Narcotics are probably one of the easiest drug types to be detected by drug screening tests as most can screen for opiates. The primary use of narcotics is as a pain reliever and are often abused for their ability to create a sense of calm and relaxation. They are taken orally, through skin patches, or by injection. Examples: Opium and its derivatives such as Morphine, Methadone, Heroine and Codeine
Effects & Dangers:
Heroin causes intense euphoria, clouded mental capacity and alternating states of wakefulness and drowsiness. Addicts may eventually develop liver disease, lung problems and collapsed veins due to the intravenous nature of the drug.
Opium, while relieving pain, also provides a sense of wellbeing, stupor and is very addictive very fast.
Morphine slows mental functioning, creates a sense of euphoria and can cause lethargy, blurred vision, lack of appetite and constipation. Use has also been linked to insomnia and nightmares.
Methadone can last in a person’s system for a long time, making it the ideal method of beating a heroin addiction. However, it can produce a sense of euphoria, drowsiness and other effects similar to both heroin and morphine.
f.
Anabolic Steroids – are a type of drug that is taken typically by athletes in order to increase muscle size and overall athletic performance. These drugs do, in fact, increase muscle size, but the side effects are alarming and indicative of how damaging they can be to the human body. Example: Dianabol Effects & Dangers:
Steroids have an adverse affect on bodily organs and are known to cause high blood pressure, acne, shrunken testicles, facial hair growth and a deepened voice in women, and breast development in men.
These drugs can also prematurely halt development in teens and cause increased levels of aggression.
Some of the more serious consequences of abusing steroids include heart attack, high cholesterol, and liver cancer.
Researched by: Jinky D. Servito
