Immediate Effects
- Inability to think or speak clearly
- Difficulty paying attention
- Loss of short-term memory
- Lack of coordination, slowed reaction time
- Increased heart rate and appetite
- Unusual sensitivity to sights and sounds
- Sadness or fearful
Additional Effects
- Altered senses (seeing brighter colors)
- Altered sense of time
- Changes in mood
- Difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
- Hallucinations (when taken in high doses)
- Delusions (when taken in high doses)
- Psychosis (risk is highest with regular use of high potency marijuana)
Long-Term Effects
- Problems with normal body development in young users
- Damage to lung tissue and the immune cells that fight cancer
- Feelings of anxiety and panic
- Possible psychological dependence
- Possible inability to have children
Affects in the Workplace
- Does not finish projects in a timely manner
- Mood Swings
- Does not remember task assignments
- May ask repeatedly on how to complete a task
Short Term Effects
- Unsteady gait /co-ordination
- Slurred speech
- Odor of beer, wine or liquor
- Bloodshot eyes, drooping eyelids, dilated pupils
- Blushed cheeks and face
- Hand tremors
Additional Effects
- Loss of control
- quantity
- frequency
- Blackouts
- continued drinking despite evidence of problem
- Increased tolerance
- Fear of withdrawal
- Blackouts
Long Term Effects
- Increased tolerance
- Hygiene
- Speech patterns and topics
- Facial expressions
- Level of activity
- Increasingly irritable or tearful
- Unusual or unfounded fears (paranoia or fear of persecution)
Effects in the Workplace
- Drinking on the job
- Physical deterioration
- Marital problems / divorce
- Financial problems / bankruptcy
- Multiple hospitalizations
- Workplace performance extremely poor
- No show for days
Short Term Health Effects
- Extreme happiness and energy
- Mental alertness
- Hypersensitivity to sight, sound, and touch
- Irritability
- Paranoia—extreme and unreasonable distrust of others
Other Health Effects
- Constricted blood vessels
- Dilated pupils
- Nausea
- Raised body temperature and blood pressure
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Tremors and muscle twitches
- Restlessness
Long Term Health Effects
- Dependence and addiction
- Strokes, seizures, fungal brain infections
- Psychiatric complications, including psychosis, paranoia, depression, anxiety disorder, delusions
- Increased risk of traumatic injury from accidents, aggressive or violent behavior
- Eyebrow and eye lashes singed or burnt
- Fingertips and other body parts burned
Effects in the Workplace
- Speeding
- Poor judgement
- Aggressive behavior/road rage
- One out of every four will become addicted
Read the following paragraphs before completing the exercises that follow.
Cocaine energizes the entire central nervous system. “Snorting cocaine” (or cocaine hydrochloride) is a white-to-creamy granular or lumpy powder that is chopped into a fine powder before use. It is snorted into the nose, rubbed on the gums, or injected into the veins. Cocaine base is a small crystalline rock about the size of a small pebble. It boils at a low temperature, is not soluble in water, and is up to 90 percent pure. Common paraphernalia may include a single- edged razor blade and a small mirror/piece of smooth metal, a rolled up dollar bill, a half-straw or metal tube, or a small screw cap vial or folded paper packet. When vapors are inhaled, the effect is felt within seven seconds. Crack, a derivative of cocaine, looks like small rocks and is commonly smoked using a crushed aluminum can with pin holes, or occasionally from a glass pipe using a lighter, alcohol lamp, or small butane torch for heating. Trade or street names for cocaine are: Coke, Rock, Crack, Free Base, Flake, Snow, Smoke, and Blow.
Marijuana produces a mildly tranquilizing and mood and perception-altering effect. The leaves of the marijuana plant range in color from green to light tan, and are usually dried and broken into small pieces. Another less prevalent variety known as Hashish is a compressed, sometimes tar-like substance ranging in color from pale yellow to black. Marijuana has a distinctly pungent aroma resembling a combination of sweet alfalfa and incense. Common paraphernalia include cigarette papers, roach clips, and small pipes made of bone, brass or glass. Trade or street names for marijuana include Marinol, THC, Pot, Grass, Joint, Reefer, Acapulco Gold, Sinsemilla, Ganja, Thia Sticks, Hash and Hash oil.
Amphetamines are central nervous system stimulants that speed up the mind and body. The physical sense of energy at lower doses and the mental exhilaration at higher doses are the reasons for their use. Amphetamines are sold in counterfeit capsules or white flat, double-scored
“mini-bennies.” One form of amphetamines (methamphetamine) is often sold as a creamy white and granular powder or in lumps and is packaged in aluminum foil wraps or sealable plastic bags. It may be taken orally, injected or snorted into the nose. Trade or street names for this drug include Biphetamine, Delcobese, Desotyn, Detedrine, Chetrol, Ritalin, Speed, Meth, Crank, Crystal, Monster, Black Beauties, and Rits.
Opiates, more commonly but inaccurately known as narcotics, are drugs that alleviate pain, depress body functions and reactions, and when taken in large doses, cause a strong euphoric feeling. In their natural form, opiates include opium, morphine, codeine and heroin. Opiates may be taken in pill form, smoked, or injected depending upon the type used. Trade or street names for opiates include Smack, Horse Emma, Big D, Dollies, Juice, Syrup, and China White.
Phencyclidine (PCP) was originally developed as an anesthetic, but the adverse side effects prevented its use except as a large animal tranquilizer. Low doses produce sedation and euphoric mood changes. A person’s mood can change rapidly from sedation to excitation and agitation. Larger doses may produce a coma-like condition with muscle rigidity and a blank stare with the eyelids half closed. Sudden noises or physical shocks may cause a “freak out” in which the person has abnormal strength, extremely violent behavior, and an inability to speak or comprehend communication. It is commonly sold as a clear liquid or a creamy, granular powder packaged in one-inch square aluminum foil or folded into packets. Trade or street names include Angel Dust, Dust, and Hog.
At the end of this lesson, test your knowledge!
Take the Paraphernalia/Street Name/Appearance Quiz
Instruction:
Match the paraphernalia, street name, or physical appearance listed to the substance (or substances) with which it is commonly used.
(More than one answer may apply.)
1. Marijuana 2. Cocaine 3. Opiates 4. Amphetamines 5. PCP