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Apr 26 2007, 1:36 AM EDT Champagne.LCDC

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COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGsMethamphetamines This is an extremely serious class of drugs. It may also be known as Crank, Crystal methadrine, Crystal meth or speed. Dependence on this kind of drug occurs quickly and the results are incredibly damaging. It comes in a white powder form, or a large quantity may resemble a block of wax. It is extremely addicting and dangerous, due to the fact it can be manufactured by just about anyone.What to Look For: The symptoms for methamphetamine use are very similar to amphetamines, but may be more severe. In the case of crystal meth, tooth decay occurs very quickly and the subject may age incredibly over a short period of time. Hair loss may also be common. Since this drug is highly addicting, the user can spiral downward over a very short period of time. It is imperative to intervene as quickly as possible before the user becomes totally dependent on the drug. A meth high can last for days, followed by a crash which will last for days as well. If you notice that they are not sleeping for days on end, yet have a tremendous amount of energy, meth should be your first suspect.Prevalence of Use: Widespread, becoming much more common.Most common in: Arizona, Colorado and California. Rural and isolated areas in the country are also hotbeds for meth production and sales.Clinical Symptoms: Rapid decay of teeth (Meth Mouth), jaw clenching, extreme thirst, hyperactivity, dilated pupils, panic attacks, talkativeness, skin sores, increase in acne and psychosis. Long term effects include brain damage, a psychosis known as “formication” where it feels as though you have bugs crawling through your skin, kidney damage and delusions. Heroin, Opium and Fentanyl Heroin has enjoyed a recent comeback lately and is becoming increasingly more popular. It is a white or dark brown powder that can be smoked, inhaled or injected. It is also referred to as Smack, Horse, Mud, Brown sugar, Junk, Black tar, or Big H. Opium is usually brown and can be eaten, injected or smoked. Fentanyl is a synthetic form of heroin that is usually white.What to Look For: In some cases, heroin leaves a brown stain on the upper lip that is unmistakable. Other effects from these two drugs include loss of coordination, euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, respiratory distress and in severe cases, death. It is another drug that is extremely addictive, and the user’s tolerance to its effects grows quickly, causing many to overdose as they attempt to reach their high again.Prevalence of Use: Moderate to Low.Most common in: California and New YorkClinical Symptoms: decreased heart rate, pupil constriction, itching, nausea and severe vomiting, rash and shallow respiration. Severe side effects include coma, seizure, respiratory arrest or sudden death. Cocaine and Crack Cocaine Just like heroin, cocaine is quickly becoming more popular than ever. It may also be called Coke, Snow, Flake, Nose Candy, Blow, Lady, Big C, White or Snowbirds. Crack cocaine differs slightly and usually creates a higher level of dependence and the user will be more aggressive. Cocaine is a white powder while Crack Cocaine will look like white or tan rocks or pellets. Both can be extremely deadly and addictive.What to Look For: A user’s pupils will appear dilated and their heart rate will increase. Many report a feeling of supremacy and an incredible high. During the high they may be restless and experience aggression, paranoia, anxiety, seizures and death. Overdosing is very easy and unfortunately, very common. Both are extremely addicting.Prevalence of Use: Very Common.Most common in: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Colorado, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington State and Wisconsin.Clinical Symptoms: hyperactivity, itchy or crawling skin sensations, increased heart rate, elevation of blood pressure and euphoria. Long term or severe side effects include sudden death, coma, heart attack, stroke, the degeneration of nasal tissue if the drug is inhaled, renal failure, delusions, paranoia, and psychosis.MarijuanaThis is an extremely common drug that has enjoyed popularity for decades. It’s also called Pot, Reefer, Weed, Grass, Ganja, Dope, Mary Jane, or Sinsemilla. It is green and leafy in appearance and has an unmistakable strong odor. It may be rolled into cigarettes or cigars, or you may find it in a plain bag. In some cases, it may be added to food and eaten. Marijuana contains what is known as THC, and this is what produces its side effects. The quality of marijuana is determined by how high the THC levels are. For example, “ditch weed” has very low levels of THC while Acapulco Gold will have very high levels. What to Look For: A very strong odor emanating from the user’s clothes, room or car will usually be present. This is usually a good sign that some use is occurring, even long after symptoms disappear. This drug can impair memory, make the user feel disoriented or they may have trouble making connections or following a thought process. Most users experience a mellow feeling, but in some cases, users may have mania, panic attacks or an increased heart rate.Prevalence of Use: Extremely High.Most common in: all StatesClinical Symptoms: relaxation, disorientation, sleepiness, slowing down of thought processes, hunger, slowed motor skills. Particularly worrisome if treated with another drug, such as PCP or LSD. Narcotics and Painkillers This is a broad field and includes several prescription drugs such as OxyContin, Vicodin, Lortab, Darvon, Percodan, Fentanyl, Talwin, and Lomotil. Other names to watch out for include common codeine or sleep medications such as Ambien. They are readily available on the street or may be stolen from your own medicine cabinet. Most commonly, these drugs come in a pill or capsule form. They may be powdered if the pills are crushed.What to Look For: Common symptoms of painkiller use include a feeling of euphoria, confusion, an inability to walk without stumbling, forgetfulness, drowsiness or lethargy. Serious side effects include respiratory distress, unconsciousness or even a coma. It is also very easy to overdose on these drugs, since a resistance is built-up over time, necessitating the user needing more to achieve their “high.”Prevalence of Use: CommonMost common in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington State.Clinical Symptoms: Nausea, constipation, light headedness, mood swings and a rash. Over time, some males may develop an enlarged prostate and may become infertile.Alcohol Abuse In the United States, approximately 8 percent of people aged 18 and older suffer from alcohol abuse and/or dependence. This abuse or dependence costs upwards of $1.7 billion in medical treatment, lost earnings, casualty damages and criminal/legal costs. Alcohol abuse has been a rising problem over the past three decades. With the continued exposure to alcohol, how does the human body respond or adapt? The body's increased tolerance to alcohol involves the following changes: Increase in level of liver's enzymes that are used to break down alcohol Increase in activity of brain and nervous-system neurons These bodily adaptations change a person's behavior. Long-term Effects In addition to the adaptations mentioned on the previous page, there are many adverse physical effects that result from long-term exposure to alcohol: The increased activity in the liver causes cell death and hardening of the tissue (cirrhosis of the liver). The brain cells in various centers die, thereby reducing the total brain mass. Stomach and intestinal ulcers can form because the constant alcohol use irritates and degrades the linings of these organs. Blood pressure increases as the heart compensates for the initially reduced blood pressure caused by alcohol. Male sex-cell (sperm) production decreases because of decreased sex-hormone secretion from the hypothalamus/pituitary and, possibly, direct effects of alcohol on the testes. Poor nutrition decreases levels of iron and vitamin B, leading to anemia. Because alcoholics lose balance and fall more often, they suffer more often from bruises and broken bones; this is especially true as they get older. Finally, alcohol abuse and dependence cause emotional and social problems. Because alcohol affects emotional centers in the limbic system, alcoholics can become anxious, depressed and even suicidal. The emotional and physical effects of alcohol can contribute to marital and family problems, including domestic violence, as well as work-related problems, such as excessive absences and poor performance. While alcoholism has devastating effects on a person's health and social environment, there are medical and psychological ways to treat the problem. See the next page to learn more.