Drug Awareness

Drugs can be good and bad. This section is concerned with some of the illicit drugs which are very dangerous and often fatal.

Methamphetamine('P'): is a powerful and addictive Class A drug. It is closely related to amphetamines but has a greater effect on the central nervous system.Street names for methamphetamines include Speed, Meth, Pure or P, Chalk, Crank, Ice, Glass, Crystal Meth, Sketch, Go, Junk, Wake Up, Zoom, Tweak, and Dope. it can be snorted, smoked, injected or eaten. Each way of taking it produces different highs for the user. Immediately after use the user gets a feeling of intense pleasure or rush, which lasts for a few minutes. The rush disappears quickly and other effects might last between 8-24 hours and include; increased alertness, sense of well being, paranoia,hallucinations, aggressive and violent behavior, increased heart rate, extreme rise in body temperature can cause brain damage and death), insomnia, impaired speech, loss of appetite, acne, sores and numbness. The long term effects make for sober reading. They include fatal kidney and lung disorders, brain damage, depression, hallucinations, permanent psychological problems, violent and aggressive behavior, weight loss, insomnia, behavior resembling paranoid schizophrenia, malnutrition, poor ability to cope, lowered resistance to illness, liver damage, stroke and death.

Amphetamines: are commonly known as Speed or Goeey in New Zealand. Amphetamines speed up the messages going to and from the brain to the body. Most amphetamines are produced in backyard laboratories and sold illegally. It usually appears as a whitish yellow powder and occasionally in liquid. People use Speed for various reasons: getting high to dance and party all night is one of them. It can help you stay awake for long periods of time. They are most commonly swallowed, injected or smoked also snorted). The body's activity accelerates--heart rate, breathing and blood pressure increase. Other effects include feeling wide awake and alert, talkative, restless and excited, and having difficulty sleeping, panic attacks and reduced appetite. Other effects include strokes, heart failure, seizures, high body temperature and death.

Ecstasy: also known as E, XTC,Eccy and the Love Drug. Ecstasy is a street term for drugs similar in structure to MDMA(Methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Ecstasy is illegal, and its ingredients are often hard to get, so makers might substitute a variety of substances and hence the strength and hygiene of the drug is uncontrolled often resulting in a person overdosing, being poisoned or having other adverse reactions. Signs are usually a very high body temperature and blood pressure, hallucinations and a faster heartbeat. This is especially dangerous for those who have an existing heart condition, breathing problems, and for people with depression and psychological disorder. Often death can result with use of this drug.

Cocaine: is a drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant. It is a stimulant and comes as a crystal white powder and can be injected, snorted or smoked. It is sometimes known as C, Coke, Flake, Nose Candy, Snow, Dust, White, White Lady, Toot, Crack, Rock, or Freebase. Highly addictive, symptoms include, physiological arousal, increased body temperature and heartrate,anxiety, feelings of well-being, decreased hunger, panic, poor concentration and judgment, unpredictable and violent behavior.

Cannabis: is the most commonly used illicit drug in New Zealand. It has three main forms: hashish, marijuana, and hash oil. Cannabis can make users feel happy, relaxed and comfortable. It reduces coordination and balance, making it dangerous to drive or use machinery and can affect memory and the ability to think logically.

Heroin: is one of a group of drugs known as opiates. They are depressants and slow the central nervous system's activity and messages going to and from the brain and the body. Heroin has various street names, Smack, Skag, Dope, H, Junk, Hammer, Slow, Gear, Harry, Piss, Shit and Horse among them. Highly addictive this drug often leads to health problems and death.

Hallucinogens: also known as "psychedelic" drugs, which change how a person perceives the world. Hallucinogens markedly affect all the senses and cause hallucinations. A person's thinking, sense of time and emotions can also be altered. LSD is one of the most common and in its pure state is a white, odorless powder and come sin the form of liquid, tablets, or capsules, squares of gelatin or blotting paper.

Inhalants, Minor tranquilizers, Steroids, Tobacco, Party Pills are other drugs that can have serous detrimental effects on a person's health and wellbeing.

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