Narcotics Hallucinogens Ethyl
Alcohol (for Youth) Depressants Cocaine
and Crack Cocaine Cannabis
(Marijuana) Stimulants Inhalants ExercisesReason 5: To Satisfy CuriosityFor many of the reasons already presented in this guide, children are
very curious about alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs. Kids are smart and they are very
quick to pick up mixed messages in the media, at school, or at the dinner table. Even if
we have done an outstanding job of educating and nurturing the children in our care, there
are some children who will remain innately curious about alcohol, tobacco, and illicit
drugs Since many kids are going to find out a lot about drugs from unreliable sources,
this section includes some basic information for sharing with children. The street names
of the drugs change weekly and by region, but this list is current! |
If you suspect that a child in your care is using drugs, there are several publications available and organizations you can contact for help. Start by contacting the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 1-800-729-6686. Internet: telnet ncadi.health.org or http://www.health.org.
| Narcotics |
Hallucinogens |
Ethyl
Alcohol (for Youth) |
| Depressants |
Cocaine
and Crack Cocaine |
Cannabis
(Marijuana) |
| Stimulants |
Inhalants |
Exercises |
Product names: Heroin, morphine, codeine, Dilaudid, Demerol, Percodan, Methadone, Talwin.
Street names: Heroin—Big H, Harry, horse, dope, boy, smack. Morphine—M, Miss Emma, Mister Blue, morph. Codeine—schoolboy. Dilaudid—lords. Methadone—fizzies, dollies.
Symptoms of use: Lethargy, drowsiness, euphoria, nausea, constipation, constricted pupils, slowed breathing.
Potential consequences: HIV infection, heart or respiratory problems, mood swings, chronic constipation, tremors, toxic psychosis, high potential for addiction.
Route of administration: Injected and ingested.
Medical use: For pain relief (except heroin and methodone).
Legal status: Illicit or prescription only.
Product names: LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), PCP (phencyclidine), DMT (dimethyltryptamine), Mescaline, MDA (methylenedioxyamphetamine), STP (dimethoxymethamphetamine), psilocybin, MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
Street names: LSD—acid, window pane, blotter, wedding bells, microdot. PCP—angel dust, love boat, hog, animal trank, STP, peace. MDMA—ecstasy, xtc, adam, love drug. Mescaline—peyote, mescal, cactus buttons, cactus head. Psilocybin—psychedelic mushrooms, shrooms.
Symptoms of use: Trance-like state, excitation, euphoria, increased pulse rate, insomnia, hallucinations.
Potential consequences: Impaired judgment and coordination can result in grater risk for injury, self-inflicted injury, violent behavior, paranoia, depression or anxiety, unpredictable flashbacks.
Route of administration: Ingested.
Medical use: None.
Legal status: Illicit.
Product names: Beer, gin, vodka, bourbon, whiskey, liqueurs, wine, brandy, champagne, rum, sherry, port, coolers.
Street names: Booze, alcohol, liquor, drinks, cocktails, highballs, nightcaps, moonshine, white lightning, hootch.
Symptoms of use: Slurred speech, impaired judgment and motor skills, incoordination, confusion, tremors, drowsiness, agitation, nausea and vomiting, respiratory ailments, depression.
Potential consequences: Impaired judgment can result in sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS), injuries, auto crashes, inability to control drinking, high tolerance level, blackouts and memory loss, interference with personal relationships, cirrhosis of the liver, vitamin deficiencies, damage to heart and central nervous system, sexual impotence, weight gain.
Route of administration: Ingested.
Medical uses: For appetite stimulation and mild sedation.
Legal status: Legal for those of established drinking ages.
Product names: Sleeping pills and tranquilizers (Seconal, Nembutal, Smytal, Quaalude, Miltown, Norcet, Placidyl, Valium, Librium, Tauxene, Ativan, Xanax, Serax).
Street names: Downers, goofballs, red devil, blue devil, blues, yellow jackets, yellow bullets, pink ladies, Christmas trees, phennies, peanuts.
Symptoms of use: Drowsiness, confusion, incoordination, tremors, slurred speech, depressed pulse rate, shallow respiration, dilated pupils.
Potential consequences: Anxiety, depression, restlessness, psychotic episodes, chronic fatigue, insomnia, changes in eyesight, irregular menstruation, stopped breathing, suicide, dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same effect, severe withdrawal symptoms.
Routes of administration: Ingested.
Medical uses: For tranquilization, sedation, and sleep.
Legal status: Prescription only.
Product names: Cocaine, crack cocaine.
Street names: Cocaine—coke, flake, snow, happy dust, gold dust, Cecil, C, freebase, toot, white girl, Scotty. Crack cocaine—crack, rock, base, sugar block.
Symptoms of use: Excitability, euphoria, talkativeness, anxiety, increased pulse rate, dilated pupils, paranoia, agitation, hallucinations.
Potential consequences: High risk for addiction, violent or erratic behavior, hallucinations, cocaine psychosis, eating or sleeping disorders, impaired sexual performance, ongoing respiratory problems, ulceration of the mucous membrane of the nose, collapse of the nasal septum, cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Route of administration: Sniffed and smoked.
Medical use: None.
Legal status: Illicit.
Product names: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabis sativa, marijuana, hashish, hashish oil.
Street names: Pot, grass, weed, reefer, joint, stick, Mary Jane, Acapulco Gold, rope, jive stick, hay, loco weed, bhang, ganja, hash, hash oil, chronic. (Blunts refer to cigars into which marijuana is rolled.)
Symptoms of use: Mood swings, euphoria, slow thinking and reflexes, dilated pupils, increased appetite, dryness of mouth, increased pulse rate, delusions, hallucinations.
Potential consequences: Amotivational syndrome, memory impairment, weight gain, increased risk for cancer, lower sperm counts and lower testosterone levels for men, increased risk of infertility for women, psychological dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same effect. Marijuana serves as a barrier against self-awareness, and users may not learn key developmental skills.
Routes of administration: Ingested and smoked.
Medical uses: Research.
Legal status: Illicit.
Product names: Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Biphetamine, Dexedrine, Desoxyn, Tenuate, Ionamin, Tepanil.
Street names: Uppers, pep pills, bennies, wake-ups, eye-openers, co-pilots, coast-to-coast, cartwheels, A's, black beauties, chalk, ice, crank, speed, meth, crystal.
Symptoms of use: Excitability, tremors, insomnia, sweating, dry mouth and lips, bad breath, dilated pupils, weight loss, paranoia, hallucinations.
Potential Consequences: Weight loss, nutritional deficiency, chronic sleep problems, high blood pressure, paranoia, anxiety or nervousness, decreased emotional control, severe depression, violent behavior, death from heart failure or suicide.
Routes of administration: Ingested.
Medical uses: For narcolepsy, obesity, hyperkinesis.
Legal status: Prescription only.
Product names: Organic solvents, nitrous oxide, nitrites, aerosols, airplane glue, nail polish remover, lighter fluid, gasoline, paints, hair spray.
Street names: Nitrous oxide—laughing gas, whippets. Amyl nitrate—snappers, poppers, pearls, amies. Butyl nitrate—locker room, bolt, bullet, rush, climax.
Symptoms of use: Drunkenness, slurred speech, incoordination, nausea, vomiting, slowed breathing.
Potential consequences: Brain damage, pains in chest, muscles, joints, heart trouble, severe depression, toxic psychosis, nerve damage, fatigue, loss of appetite, bronchial tube spasm, sores on nose or mouth, nosebleeds, diarrhea, nausea, bizarre or reckless behavior, sudden death, suffocation.
Route of administration: Sniffed.
Medical use: Nitrous oxide only, for anesthesia.
Legal status: Most products available in retail stores.
Introduction Facts Five Reasons Young People Give for Using Drugs Summary Exercises Contents