Marijuana and other Illegal Drugs

8th gradeIllegal Drugs

Lesson 8- pD56-61

Marijuana

An illegal drug containing THC. THC: a chemical that affects short-

term memory and causes mood changes

Marijuana is made from dried, crushed parts of the hemp plant, scientific name is Cannabis sativa

Marijuana-more unhealthy than cigarettes!

Contains most of the harmful chemicals that are found in tobacco smoke

One marijuana cigarette contains 4 times more tar than smoking a cigarette.

Hashish: another drug that comes from marijuana plant- usually has many times more THC.

THC

THC is fat-soluable, meaning gets absorbed and stored in your fat cells.

It is released slowly and can effect mental and physical functions for days

Can be detected for up to a month with a drug test

Stats and Facts

Use of marijuana is decreasing among 8th, 10th and 12th graders, but it’s still too high!

Marijuana and the Brain

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens interfere with the senses and cause people to see and hear things that are not really there.

Called Hallucinations

LSD, PCP, Ecstasy, Mescaline

LSD

Powder, tablet or capsule

Can also be dissolved in small pieces of paper, sugar cubes or candy and absorbed through the skin.

Hallucinations can be terrifying

Flashbacks

A sudden illusion that a person has long after having used a hallucinogenic drug.

It can include hallucinations, bizarre visual effects such as flashes of colored light.

No treatment for flashbacks

PCP (angel dust)

Veterinary medication that is use illegally used as a hallucinogen.

Causes unsafe fluctuations in blood pressure, Heart rate, and breathing

Ecstasy

Also known as MDMA

Produces a false sense of well-being and increased energy

Causes nerve damage that can lead to mental and psychiatric problems

Referred to as a club drug or designer drug

Ecstasy Effects

Can cause twitching

Blurred vision

Causes increased body temperature, resulting in organ faliure

Death

Mescaline

A hallucinogen made from the peyote cactus

Same effects as LSD

Effects can last up to 12 hours

Anabolic Steroids

A drug used to artificially increase muscle size and strength

Taken orally, injected into muscles, or rubbed on the skin in gel form.

Steroids cause….

Elevated BP, severe acne, increased cholesterol

In males, breast enlargement, shrinkage of the testes, and baldness

In females, growth of body hair, smaller breasts, coarse skin, deeper voice, and disruption of the menstrual cycle.

Steriod Acne

Steroid- other side effects(as if those weren’t bad enough)

They signal bones to stop growing, so it could lead to stunted growth

Can cause heart attacks, strokes, liver disease and endocarditis (an inflamation of the lining of the heart.

Roid rage: intense feelings of anger, hostility or aggression.

Can cause depression and suicidal thoughts.

Inhalants

Chemicals or fumes from common household products that are sniffed or inhaled for their mind-altering effects.

Mostly legal products that are abused

It is illegal to use products in this way

Inhalants

Inhalants

Sniffing: breathing in inhalants directly from an open container

Huffing: inhaling them from an inhalant-soaked rag.

Bagging: breathing in the vapors from an open container or soaked rag placed inside a paper bag

Inhalants

When inhalants are breathed in, they deprive the body of oxygen

Cause headaches, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, and loss of muscle coordination

Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome

Death can occur the FIRST time a person abuses inhalants

Don’t gamble with your life!