Drugs
Depressants, Hallucinogens, and Stimulants
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukFjH9odsXw&edufilter=vOfVCk-RdiA5fnbBlCzVnw
Depressants
- substance which impairs normal central nervous system functions
- examples: barbiturates, bensodiazepines, alcohol, marijuana, and some form of inhalants
- short term effects: slower brain function, dizziness, dilated pupils
- long term effects: tolerances develop rapidly-need more of a substance for the same effect
- statistics: 39% of teen have had alcohol in the past 30 days, 1 in 10 adults and teens have and alcohol or drug dependence
- warnings: tolerances develop rapidly and more of the drug can deteriorate the internal organs
- regulations: alcohol is legal over the age of 21 and sleep pills are only available by prescription. The rest are illegal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsJzCdFlpyQ&edufilter=vOfVCk-RdiA5fnbBlCzVnw
Hallucinogens
- cause people to see things that aren't really there, alter perception
- examples: marijuana, LSD, ecstasy, mushrooms, some forms of inhalants
- psychological effects: delusions, impaired perception, severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, panic attacks, flashbacks, severe depression or psychosis
- physiological effects: dilated pupils, higher or lower body temperature, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, tremors
- statistics: a majority of teens don't use hallucinogens (2006 study said that 96% of 12-17 year never used hallucinogens)
- warnings: alters almost every sense, a bad trip is unavoidable, overdose can lead to comas or death
- regulations: illegal to buy, sell, or process
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8SS6DvU_0U&edufilter=vOfVCk-RdiA5fnbBlCzVnw
Stimulants
- excites the senses. arouses neural activity.
- examples: caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, ecstasy, crystal meth, PCP, amphetamine
- short term effects: exhaustion, apathy, and depression
- long term effects: highly addictive
- statistics: in 2007 on 3% of teens reporting using meth
- warnings: overdose can lead to an increased heart rate which can be fatal
- regulations: caffeine is available to all ages and nicotine is available to those over 18, otherwise they are illegal