Drug Information

Club Drugs

Brief Description:

Typically used by teenagers and young adults at bars, clubs, concerts, and parties. The most common club drugs include Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, Rohypnol, ketamine, methamphetamine, and acid (LSD).

Street Names:

XTC, X (MDMA); Special K, Vitamin K (ketamine); liquid ecstasy, soap (GHB); roofies (Rohypnol).

Effects:

Chronic use of MDMA may lead to changes in brain function. GHB abuse can cause coma and seizures. High doses of ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, and other problems. Mixed with alcohol, Rohypnol can incapacitate users and cause amnesia.

Statistics/Trends:

According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than 11 million people have tried MDMA, more than 11 million have tried methamphetamine, and more than 23 million have tried LSD at least once. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health - SAMHSA web site.

Cocaine

Brief Description:

A powerfully addictive drug that is snorted, sniffed, injected, or smoked. Crack is cocaine that has been processed from cocaine hydrochloride to a free base for smoking.

Street Names:

Coke, snow, flake, blow, and many others.

Effects:

A powerfully addictive drug, cocaine usually makes the user feel euphoric and energetic. Common health effects include heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, and seizures. Large amounts can cause bizarre and violent behavior. In rare cases, sudden death can occur on the first use of cocaine or unexpectedly thereafter.

Statistics/Trends:

Adults age 26 and older have the highest rate of current cocaine use, compared to other age groups. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health - SAMHSA web site..

Heroin

Brief Description:

An addictive drug that is processed from morphine and usually appears as a white or brown powder.

Street Names:

Smack, H, ska, junk, and many others.

Effects:

Short-term effects include a surge of euphoria followed by alternately wakeful and drowsy states and cloudy mental functioning. Associated with fatal overdose and, particularly in users who inject the drug, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

Statistics/Trends:

NIDA's 2005 Monitoring the Future study showed that 1.5 percent of 10th and 12th graders had used heroin at least once. Source: NIDA Infofacts: High School and Youth Trends.

Inhalants

Brief Description:

Breathable chemical vapors that users intentionally inhale because of the chemicals' mind-altering effects. The substances inhaled are often common household products that contain volatile solvents or aerosols.

Street Names:

Whippets, poppers, snappers.

Effects:

Most inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication. If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce a loss of sensation, and even unconsciousness.

Statistics/Trends:

Inhalants are often among the first drugs that young people use. In NIDA's 2005 Monitoring the Future study, 17.1 percent of 8th graders, 13.1 percent of 10th graders, and 11.4 percent of 12th graders said they had abused inhalants at least once. Source: NIDA Infofacts: High School and Youth Trends.

LSD (Acid)

Brief Description:

One of the strongest mood-altering drugs. It is sold as tablets, capsules, liquid, or on absorbent paper.

Street Names:

Acid, blotter, and many others.

Effects:

LSD has unpredictable psychological effects. With large enough doses, users experience delusions and visual hallucinations. Physical effects include increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; sleeplessness; and loss of appetite.

Statistics/Trends:

In 2005, annual use among 12th graders was 1.8 percent. Among 10th graders, annual use was 1.5 percent. Source: NIDA Infofacts: High School and Youth Trends.

Marijuana

Brief Description:

The most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S. The main active chemical is THC.

Street Names:

Pot, ganga, weed, grass, and many others.

Effects:

Short-term effects include memory and learning problems, distorted perception, and difficulty thinking and solving problems.

Statistics/Trends:

Nearly 45 percent of U.S. teenagers try marijuana before finishing high school. Source: NIDA Infofacts: High School and Youth Trends.

MDMA (Ecstacy)

Brief Description:

A drug that has stimulant and psychedelic properties. It is taken orally as a capsule or tablet.

Street Names:

XTC, X, Adam, hug, beans, love drug.

Effects:

Short-term effects include feelings of mental stimulation, emotional warmth, enhanced sensory perception, and increased physical energy. Adverse health effects can include nausea, chills, sweating, teeth clenching, muscle cramping, and blurred vision.

Statistics/Trends:

According to the 2005 Monitoring the Future survey, 3.0 percent of 12th graders, 2.6 percent of 10th graders, and 1.7 percent of 8th graders had used Ecstasy in the past year. Source: NIDA Infofacts: High School and Youth Trends.

Methamphetamine

Brief Description:

An addictive stimulant that is closely related to amphetamine, but has longer lasting and more toxic effects on the central nervous system. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction.

Street Names:

Speed, meth, chalk, ice, crystal, glass.

Effects:

Increases wakefulness and physical activity and decreases appetite. Chronic, long-term use can lead to psychotic behavior, hallucinations, and stroke.

Statistics/Trends:

According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 12 million Americans have tried methamphetamine. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health - SAMHSA web site.

PCP/Phencyclidine

Brief Description:

Illegally manufactured in labs and sold as tablets, capsules, or colored powder. It can be snorted, smoked, or eaten. Developed in the 1950s as an IV anesthetic, PCP was never approved for human use because of problems during clinical studies, including intensely negative psychological effects.

Street Names:

Angel dust, ozone, wack, rocket fuel, and many others.

Effects:

Many PCP users are brought to emergency rooms because of overdose or because of the drug's unpleasant psychological effects. In a hospital or detention setting, people high on PCP often become violent or suicidal.

Statistics/Trends:

In NIDA's 2005 Monitoring the Future study, 2.4 percent of high school seniors reported having used PCP at least once. Source: NIDA Infofacts: PCP (Phencyclidine).

Prescription Medications

Brief Description:

Prescription drugs that are abused or used for nonmedical reasons can alter brain activity and lead to dependence. Commonly abused classes of prescription drugs include opioids (often prescribed to treat pain), central nervous system depressants (often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders), and stimulants (prescribed to treat narcolepsy, ADHD, and obesity).

Street Names:

Commonly used opioids include oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and diphenoxylate (Lomotil). Common central nervous system depressants include barbiturates such as pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal), and benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin).

Effects:

Long-term use of opioids or central nervous system depressants can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Taken in high doses, stimulants can lead to compulsive use, paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, and irregular heartbeat.

Statistics/Trends:

According to NIDA's 2005 Monitoring the Future study, 9.5 percent of high school seniors used hydrocodone (Vicodin) in the past year. Source: NIDA Infofacts: High School and Youth Trends.

Smoking/Nicotine

Brief Description:

One of the most heavily used addictive drugs in the U.S.

Effects:

Nicotine is highly addictive. The tar in cigarettes increases a smoker's risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchial disorders. The carbon monoxide in smoke increases the chance of cardiovascular diseases. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults and greatly increases the risk of respiratory illnesses in children.

Statistics/Trends:

In 2004, 30 percent of the U.S. population over age 12 used tobacco at least once in the month prior to being interviewed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health - SAMHSA web site..

Steroids (Anabolic)

Brief Description:

Human-made substances related to male sex hormones. Some athletes abuse anabolic steroids to enhance performance. Abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to serious health problems, some of which are irreversible.

Effects:

Major side effects can include liver tumors and cancer, jaundice, high blood pressure, kidney tumors, severe acne, and trembling. In males, side effects may include shrinking of the testicles and breast development. In females, side effects may include growth of facial hair, menstrual changes, and deepened voice. In teenagers, growth may be halted prematurely and permanently.

Statistics/Trends:

In NIDA's 2005 Monitoring the Future study, 2.6 percent of high school seniors reported using steroids at least once. Source: NIDA Infofacts: High School and Youth Trends.