What is it? Mind-altering psychoactive drug. Dry, shredded, green/brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds and leaves from the cannabis sativa plant. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main ingredient that produces the psychoactive effect. Addictive.
Street Names Aunt Mary, BC Bud, Chronic, Dope, Gangster, Ganja, Grass, Hash, Herb, Joint, Mary Jane, Mota, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Smoke, Weed, Yerba
How is it used? Smoked as a cigarette or in pipe or bong Smoked in blunts (cigar emptied of tobacco and filled with marijuana, and sometimes mixed with additional drugs) Mixed with food (edibles) Brewed as tea
How does it affect the body? Relaxation, disinhibition, increased appetite, sedation, increased sociability Effects memory and learning Difficulty in thinking and problem-solving Hallucinations Impaired judgment, reduced coordination Distorted perception Decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate, dizziness, nausea, tachycardia Confusion, anxiety, paranoia, drowsiness Respiratory ailments
Heroin
What is it? An opiate (narcotic) drug processed from morphine and extracted from certain poppy plants. Heroin comes in a white or brownish powder, or a black sticky substance known as “black tar heroin.” Often “cut” with other drugs or substances such as sugar or powdered milk. User is unaware how much actual heroin is being used, creating likelihood of overdose.
Street Names Big H, Black Tar, Chiva, Hell Dust, Horse, Negra, Smack, Thunder
How is it used? Injected, smoked, or sniffed/snorted. High purity heroin is usually snorted or smoked.
How does it affect the body? Highly addictive. Initial surge of euphoria or “rush,” followed by a twilight state of sleep and wakefulness Physical symptoms of use include: drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea, a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and heavy extremities. Overdose symptoms: slow and shallow breathing, blue lips and fingernails, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and possible death.
Fentanyl
What is it? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin. Because of its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl is also diverted for abuse. Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency, or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths. Clandestinely-produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico.
Street Names Apace, China Girl, China Town, China White, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-Man, Poison and Tango & Cash
How is it used? Clandestine fentanyl is typically injected, or inhaled like heroin.
How does it affect the body? Intense, short-term high Temporary feelings of euphoria Slowed respiration and reduced blood pressure Nausea Fainting Seizures Death
Methamphetamine
What is it? Stimulant that speeds up body’s system that comes as pill or powder. Available in prescription as Desoxyn® to treat obesity and ADHD. Crystal meth resembles glass fragments and is an illegally altered version of the prescription drug that is cooked with over-the-counter drugs in meth labs.
How is it used? Powder, pill Smoked, snorted, injected To intensify the effects, users may take higher doses of the drug, take it more frequently, or change their method of intake
How does it affect the body? Highly addictive Agitation, increased heart rate and blood pressure Increased respiration and body temperature Anxiety, paranoia High doses can cause convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, stroke or death
Cocaine / Crack
What is it? White, crystalline powder derived from coca leaves. Cocaine base (crack) looks like small, irregularly shaped white rocks.
Street Names Coca, Coke, Crack, Crank, Flake, Rock, Snow, Soda Cot
How is it used? Snorted Dissolved in water and injected Crack cocaine is smoked Cocaine users usually binge on the drug until they are exhausted or run out of cocaine.
How does it affect the body? Smoking or injection creates an intense euphoric “rush” Tolerance builds quickly, easy to overdose Cardiac arrhythmias Increased blood pressure and heart rate Restlessness, irritability, anxiety, paranoia Insomnia, loss of appetite Stroke or death Sudden cardiac arrest Convulsion The crash that follows a high is mental and physical exhaustion, sleep, and depression lasting several days. Following the crash, users crave cocaine again.
LSD
What is it? Very strong hallucinogen sold on streets that is odorless and colorless with high potential for abuse.
Street Names Acid, Blotter Acid, Dots, Mellow Yellow, Window Pane
How is it used? Added to absorbent paper such as blotter paper divided into square dosage units Tablets or capsules Occasionally in liquid form
How does it affect the body? Hallucinations Distorted perception of shape and size of objects, colors, and sounds Acute anxiety and depression Flashbacks days and even months after Elevated heart rate, higher body temperature, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils Overdose symptoms: longer, more intense episodes, psychosis and death.
Ecstasy (MDMA) & Club Drugs
What is it? Known as a party drug, ecstasy comes in pill or powder form; pill has a variety of logos and colors.
Street Names Adam, Beans, Biscuit, Clarity, Disco Biscuit, E, Eve, Go, Hug Drug, Lover’s Speed, MDMA, Peace, STP, X, XTC
How is it used? Swallowing gel capsules (Molly), pills, tablets Powder, Crystal, liquid Crushed or snorted Occasionally smoked
How does it affect the body? Increased motor activity, alertness, heart rate, blood pressure Muscle tension, tremors, teeth clenching, nausea, sweating Euphoria, empathy, reduced inhibition Chills, blurred vision Confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, severe dehydration Sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), which can lead to liver, kidney and cardiovascular failure and death
Oxyodone
What is it? Semi-synthetic opioid drug prescribed for pain as Tylox®, Percodan®, OxyContin®. Derived from the poppy plant, has high potential for abuse.
Street Names Hillbilly Heroin, Kicker, OC, Ox, Roxy, Perc, Oxy
How is it used? Pills and tablets chewed or swallowed Inhaling vapors by heating tablet on foil Crushed and sniffed or dissolved in water and injected
How does it affect the body? Feelings of relaxation, euphoria, pain relief Addictive Chronic use of oxycodone with acetaminophen may cause severe liver damage Overdose may lead to coma and possible death.
Inhalants
What is it? Invisible, volatile substances found in common household products, e.g., felt tip markers, spray paint, air freshener, typewriter correction fluid, butane, computer cleaners, glue. Includes more than 1,000 products that are harmful when inhaled.
Street Names Huff, Rush, Whippets, Gluey
How is it used? Inhaled through nose or mouth Huffing inhalant-soaked rag stuffed in mouth Inhaling from balloon with nitrous oxide Sniffing or snorting the substance from a container or dispenser Inhaling fumes from substances in a bag
How does it affect the body? Slight stimulation, feeling less inhibition, loss of consciousness Damages sections of brain controlling thinking, moving, seeing Slurred speech, loss of coordination, euphoria, dizziness Long term use may cause damage to nervous system and organs Sudden sniffing death may occur from suffocation or asphyxiation
Methadone
What is it? Synthetic opiod prescribed as Methadose® and Dolphine®. Tablet, capsule, and liquid, used for detoxification and maintenance of opioid addiction and as a pain reliever for moderate to severe pain.
Street Names Amidone, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fizzies, Maria, Pastora, Salvia, Street Methadone, Water
How is it used? Swallowed as pill or liquid or injected.
How does it affect the body? Sweating, itchy skin, or sleepiness Addictive Overdose effects include shallow breathing, stomach spasms, clammy skin, convulsions, weak pulse, coma, and death
Anabolic Steroids
What is it? Synthetically produced versions of testosterone, the male hormone used to promote muscle growth, enhance athletic performance, improve physical appearance.
How is it used? Injected intramuscularly Gels, creams, transdermal patches Tablets, sublingual-tablets and capsules
How does it affect the body? Many effects depending on age, sex, the type, length of time used • In males: stunts growth, acne, shrinks testicles, enlarges breasts In women, deepens voice, increases facial and body hair, acne, menstrual irregularities Dramatic mood swings, impaired judgment, increased levels of aggression and hostility Increased risk of heart disease, liver damage Addiction
Ketamine
What is it? General, short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects. Sometimes used to facilitate sexual assault crimes.
Street Names Special K, Cat Valium, Kit Kat, K, Super Acid, Super K, Purple, Special La Coke, Jet, Vitamin K
How is it used? Injected Liquid mixed with liquids Powder that is snorted mixed in drinks, or smoked
How does it affect the body? Hallucinatory effects last 30-60 minutes Distorts sights and sounds Induces feelings of calmness and relaxation, relief from pain Immobility and amnesia Body feels out of control Agitation, depression, unconsciousness Hallucinations Flashbacks
