Drug Free is the Way to Be
Hallucinogens, Stimulants, and Depressants
Become aware of the 3 types of drugs and their effects:
Hallucinogens- the perception altering drug.
- Examples: LSD (acid), marijuana, mushrooms
- Psychological Effects of Use: people under the influence of hallucinogens see images, hear sounds, or feel sensations that are not real, but seem real to them. They can also cause intense mood swings and delayed reaction and memory abilities.
- Physiological Effects of Use: blood pressure and heart rate increase, seizures, great amounts of sweating, and muscle weakness are among the many harmful effects of hallucinogens.
- Statistics: According to the Monitoring the Future survey done in 2008, 7.8% of high school seniors had used some sort of hallucinogenic drug in their life, NOT even including the use of LSD, which 4.0% of seniors had used sometime.
- Warning! Using hallucinogens will forever change your physical, cognitive and emotional well being. They effect your ability to distinguish reality from fantasy, and the heart rate/blood pressure increase can result in a coma! Stay away from these drugs, if you have already used hallucinogens then seek help today!
- Laws/Regulations: The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) categorizes the majority of hallucinogenic drugs in Schedule I, which is the most restrictive. This means that it does not provide much medical value, and is not even prescribed by doctors. Anyone caught illegally using or distributing them will be fined and serve a 10 year prison sentence.
- Above the Influence: Harmful effects of LSD video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuNYif_PxY0
Stimulants: the speed up drug
- Examples: nicotine, cocaine, meth, heroin
- Psychological Effects: Stimulants can improve attention span and focus in those that struggle with such skills, however they do disrupt the normal communication of brain cells, increasing the risk of addiction as well as hostile behavior, irregular sleep habits, or depression.
- Physiological Effects: Irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and increased body temperature are among the physiological effects of stimulants.
- Statistics: The Monitoring the Future survey done in 2008 reported that 3.4% of high school seniors admitted to using a stimulant in the past year for non medical reasons.
- Warning! The irregular heartbeat and blood clot effects of stimulants can lead to seizures, stroke, heart attacks, or even death. Taking a chance on stimulants simultaneously takes a chance on your life.
- Laws/Regulations: Most stimulants (besides from nicotine which is found in highly addictive yet accessible cigarettes) are classified in Schedule II by the DEA. This means that they are of medical value, but if someone possesses the drugs without a licensed doctor's consent will be fined and face a 5 year prison sentence. Illegal distribution has the same consequence.
- Stimulant Abuse Effects: http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S3015446.shtml?cat=554
Depressants: the slow down drug
- Examples: Alcohol, barbiturates, opiate, morphine
- Psychological Effects: Depressants are used as a calming drug for those with anxiety or sleep troubles. However, depressants are highly addictive, withdrawal can lead to chronic depression or even seizures from irregular brain activity.
- Physiological Effects: Irregular heartbeat, slow respiration, body weakness and
- Statistics: The danger of becoming addicted to depressants or mixing depressants with other substances is shown through the approximated 12,000 deaths in 2008 due to unhealthy opiate use.
- Warning! Overdosing or mixing depressants with other certain medications or substances can lead to death.
- Laws/Regulations: Most depressants are categorized into Schedule II by the DEA. This means that they are prescribed by doctors because of their medical value, but if used or distributed illegally, one will be punished with a fine and 5 years in prison. However, alcohol is a Schedule V substance and is legal for anyone 21 or over in the state of Wisconsin.
- Learn more about the rise of prescription drug abuse: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/topics-in-brief/prescription-drug-abuse Be the change, reverse these shocking statistics!
Avoid the harmful effects of hallucinogens, stimulants, and depressants!
Sources:
"Drug Guide." Drug Free. N.p., 2013. Web. 3 Nov. 2013.
"Prescription Drug Abuse." The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. drugabuse.gov, 2011. Web. 3 Nov. 2013.