Street drugs can kill you.
Illegal or street drugs are taken to make the user feel better, forget something painful, remove inhibitions, feel like part of the group, or some other reason that involves altering reality for a while. In most cases, street drugs are highly addictive. Street drugs may contain impurities, poison, or the dose may be too strong. Severe injury, brain damage, and death are common side effects of using street drugs.
Street drugs are often purchased from "pushers" or sellers on the street (hence the name street drugs). Prices of many street drugs start out low and increase rapidly as need and addiction become stronger. It is the "pusher's" job to get you addicted and get as much money from you as possible.
Some drugs, such as the inhalants, are cheap and readily available, even at the corner grocery, to people of all ages. There is virtually no way to keep dangerous drugs away from anyone, even young children. Drug education is the most potent prevention tool.
What Do Drugs Do to You?
There are several categories of drugs, and each has a slightly different, but destructive, effect on you. Effects can be subtle or life-threatening. No street drug is safe. You are always risking your life when you use these substances.
This table of intoxication and withdrawal symptoms explains briefly what drugs actually do to your body and mind.
| Substance |
Behaviors/Symptoms |
Withdrawal Symptoms |
Depressants
- Alcohol
- Tranquilizers
- Barbiturates
|
Slurred speech, poor coordination, unsteady walking, impairment of memory and decision making, and slower brain functioning. |
Nausea, vomiting, weakness, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, seizures, headaches, and tremors. |
Stimulants
- Cocaine
- Crack
- Meth-
amphetamine
- Nicotine
|
Tendency to fight, dilation of pupils, elevated blood pressure, perspiration, chills, nausea, and vomiting. |
Severe depression, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, coordination problems, and intense craving for the substance. |
| Narcotics
|
Euphoria followed by apathy, psychomotor slowing, impaired judgment, constriction of pupils, drowsiness, slurred speech, short attention span, and memory loss. |
Intense craving for substance and symptoms of influenza/flu. |
| Cannabis
|
Sleepiness, anxiety, paranoid thinking, withdrawal, impaired judgment, bloodshot eyes, increased appetite, and rapid heartbeat. |
Marked anxiety, rapid emotional changes, and delusions of persecution. |
Hallucinogens
- LSD
- PCP
- Peyote (mescaline)
- Magic mushrooms
(psilocybin)
|
Hallucinations, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, sweating, blurred vision, tremors, anxiety, depression, and paranoid thoughts. |
Few immediate symptoms but later possibility of flashbacks, delusions, and mood disorders. |
Inhalants/Solvents
- Glue
- Gasoline
- Spray Paint
|
Light-headedness, slurred speech, depressed reflexes, blurred vision, stupor or coma, belligerence, aggressiveness, impaired judgment, dizziness, and sore throat, nose, and lungs. Inhalants can cause immediate death in some cases. |
Nausea, vomiting, weakness, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, seizures, headaches, and tremors. |
Illegal use of prescription medications for sleep and anxiety (central nervous system depressants) and pain (opioids, like oxycodone) can also be extremely dangerous. Opioids can produce drowsiness and slow breathing. Central nervous system depressants slow down brain function. Both can be highly addictive. High doses can cause anxiety, paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, irregular heartbeat, or seizures.
Additional dangers related to street drugs include the violent atmosphere associated with the illegal drug trade, pressure to keep coming up with more money to feed the cravings, and the increased likelihood of accidents of all kinds when under the influence of drugs.
Help is available through a physician, pastor, drug counselor, 12-step programs, treatment centers, and support groups. |
