• Result in behavioral sedation as they literally depress the excitable tissue at all levels of the brain
• They decrease central nervous system activity
• Their principal effect is to reduce our levels of physiological arousal and to help us "relax"

• Hypnotics (sleep inducing)
• Anxiolytic drugs (anxiety reducing drugs e.g. benzodiazapines Rohypnol; Valium;Xanax)
• Sedatives (calming drugs e.g. barbiturates Amytal, Seconal, Nembutal)
• Alcohol

• Downers

• Booze, dop
  

• Depressants are usually administered orally

• A slowed pulse and breathing
• Slurred speech
• Drowsiness
• Lowered blood pressure
• Poor concentration,
• Fatigue and confusion,
• Impaired coordination, memory and judgment.

Prolonged or heavy abuse of depressants can result in:

• Addiction
• Impaired sexual function
• Chronic sleep problems
• Respiratory depression
• Respiratory arrest
• Death

• Of all psychoactive drugs, the most commonly consumed are the stimulants (Psychoactive = affecting the mind or mental processes)
• These drugs make you more awake and alert as they stimulate the central nervous system
• Often use of stimulants will produce feelings of elation and vigor and can reduce fatigue.
• Sought after effects include: a feeling of well-being, euphoria & exhilaration; increased alertness and energy; delayed hunger and fatigue
• You literally feel “up” however after a period of use you “come back down” and crash causing feelings of depression and tiredness

• Caffeine
• Nicotine
• Cocaine and crack cocaine

• KHAT/ CAT
• Amphetamines (They are synthetic i.e. they are made in a lab) Examples include: Ritalin, MDMA (Ecstasy), crystal meth

Uppers

• Coke, shnaaf, snow, rocks
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Speed, E, crystal, Ice, Tik
  

Depending on the particular drug stimulants can be administered orally or intravenously or via smoking, sniffing and snorting

Large doses of the drug can result in:

• Hallucinations
• Talkativeness
• A sense of power or superiority
• Restlessness
• Hyper excitability
• Irritability which can lead to anxiety and paranoid psychosis
• Convulsions
• Stroke

• Loss of appetite
• Faster breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Raised blood pressure
• Dilated pupils
• Strange, erratic, at times violent behaviour

• Destruction of the tissue in nose if the drugs are sniffed
• Respiratory problems if the drugs are smoked
• Contraction of infectious diseases if the drugs are injected
• Abscesses if the drugs are injected
• Addiction
• Malnutrition and weight loss
• Disorientation
• Confusion/ exhaustion due to a lack of sleep
• Paranoid psychosis
• Death

• Opiates have a narcotic effect i.e. they relieve pain and induce sleep
• Opiates are therefore considered analgesics i.e. they help relieve pain
• The high or “rush” experienced by users comes from activation of the body’s natural opioid system. In other words the brain already has its own opiods and Heroin, Morphine, Opium and other opiates activate this system.
• Withdrawal from opioids can be so unpleasant that people may continue to use them despite a sincere desire to stop and withdrawal symptoms can be experienced as soon as 6-12 hours after a reduced intake or cessation of intake

• Heroin

• Morphine
• Methadone
• Opium
• Codeine
• “Speedballs” = a combination of heroin and cocaine. The use of these drugs in combination is steadily increasing

Narcotics

• H, smack, China white, Thai
  

• These drugs can be injected intravenously placing users at a higher risk for contraction of HIV
• They can also be ingested orally, smoked or snorted

• Long-term use of opioids can result in depression, difficulty concentrating and sleeping, and sexual problems.
• Constipation can become a very serious problem after long-term use.
• After exposure to opioid drugs for a long time, the body stops making natural painkillers, so even small pains seem severe when the drug leaves the body.
• Taking large doses for long periods can cause agitation, tremors and seizures.
• Higher doses can lower heart rate, blood pressure and breathing.
• Very high doses can cause disorientation, convulsions and hallucinations.
• Heroin decreases appetite, which can result in malnutrition.
• Symptoms of withdrawal from opioids can range from mild (some anxiety, sleeplessness, drug craving) to moderate (nausea, cramping, diarrhea, tremors, insomnia) to severe (agitation and pain, kicking legs, elevated temperature).

• Has the active ingredient of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which produces a sense of euphoria, and altered sense of time as well as hallucinations

• Marijuana

• Hashish (the resinous secretions of the cannabis plant)

• Weed, dope, mary jane, slpiff, blunt, grass, ganja, joint
  
  
• Hash
  

These drugs are most commonly smoked but they can also be ingested (i.e. by eating them in cakes/cookies or by drinking the leaves in tea)

• Problems with memory and learning
• Distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch)
• Trouble with thinking and problem solving
• Loss of motor coordination
• Anxiety and paranoia

• Cancer
• Lowered sperm count
• Anxiety & mental health disorders paranoia, depression, insomnia, schizophrenia and motivational syndrome

• Produce enhanced sensory perceptions and hallucinations
• (Hallucinations = A sensory perception of something that does not exist. They can be visual or auditory)
• (Delusions = an erroneous belief that is held in the face of evidence to the contrary)
• They essentially change the way the user perceives the world
• Sight, sound, feelings, taste and smell are distorted sometimes in dramatic ways
• Sought after effects include:
  ‘Mind expansion’ as a key to quasi-religious transcendental experiences; feelings of empathy and increased sociability.

• Marijuana
• LSD (Acid)
• MDMA (Ecstasy)
• PCP (Angel Dust)
• Morning glory seeds
• Catnip
• Loco Weed
• Betel nut
• Nitrous Oxide
• Peyote (Mescaline)
• Magic mushrooms (Psilocybin)

Hallucinogens may be used orally, intravenously or they may be smoked

• A distorted perception of depth, time, and the size and shape of objects
• Hallucinations
• Heightened senses (sight, sound and touch)
• Psychological or emotional effects such as anxiety, depression, dizziness, disorientation and paranoia
• Physical effects such as dilated pupils, lowered body temperature, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, rapid heart rate; and convulsions

• A growing tolerance to the drug
• Flashbacks which can occur days or even months after the last dose has been taken, leading to disorientation, anxiety and distress 
• Prolonged anxiety and depression after use of the drug is stopped.

• Produce generalised Central Nervous System depression

• Glues
• Adhesives
• Cement
• Aerosol propellants
• Fire extinguishers
• Cleaning and dry cleaning solvents
• Paint, paint thinners, nail polish removers, correction fluid
• Fuels, gasoline's, lighter gas and lighter fluids

• These drugs are most commonly sniffed/ inhaled

Immediate effects:

• Nausea; Sneezing
• Coughing; Nosebleeds
• Feeling and looking tired; Bad breath
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of appetite

• Deep breathing of the vapors, or using a lot over a short period of time may result in losing touch with one's surroundings
• Loss of self-control
• Violent behavior
• Unconsciousness or death
• Nausea and vomiting
• Heart failure & death
• Slowed breathing until death occurs

• Weight loss
• Fatigue
•  Electrolyte (salt) imbalance & muscle fatigue.
•  Permanent damage to the nervous system, = greatly reduced physical & mental capabilities
• Damage to the liver, kidneys, blood, and bone marrow

• Non prescription hypnotics
• Non prescription anti-anxiety drugs
• Non prescription cold and allergy products (as they usually contain codeine)
• Non prescription stimulants
• Over the counter analgesics
• Laxatives
• Diuretics
• Diet pills
• Psychiatric medication
• Antipsychotic medication
• Anxiety medication
• Anabolic steroids