| PASSAGES GUIDE TO IDENTIFYING & RECOGNIZING ILLEGAL DRUGS If you're a parent, or if you're concerned that someone you love may be taking an illegal substance, it is vital to understand what the many different types of drugs look like and the kinds of symptoms they can cause. This knowledge will give you the ammunition you need to make informed decisions and it may even save someone's life. While there are a myriad of illegal substances, each one has a unique signature that can help you determine exactly what is going on. Here's a guide that will make it easier to understand what you're dealing with and what to look for. TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Clinical Symptoms:
Respiratory distress or depression is a very common side effect of morphine. Acute pancreatitis may ensue if the drug is continued over a long period of time. Renal failure is also quite common. Opium's symptoms may include a dilation of blood vessels to the face, causing a flushed appearance and respiratory depression is also quite common. Other effects include nausea and constriction of the pupils.
AMPHETAMINES
This is a very large class of drugs, but they all have similar side effects. Amphetamines come in several different forms, and may be called Speed, Ups, Uppers, Black beauties, Pep pills, Copilots, Hearts, Bumblebees, Benzedrine, Footballs, Dexedrine and Biphetamine. Even over-the-counter medication that contains pseudoephedrine may be abused for a similar effect. These drugs are most commonly found in pill form, but may be crushed into a powder.
What to Look For:
Amphetamine use is characterized by a high that lasts for several hours. During this period, the user may be overly cheerful or energetic. Their heart rate will be up, and their pupils will dilate to a very large size. Erratic behavior or an inability to concentrate on a specific task may be present. Once the high is over, the user may be plunged into despair, or they may become angry. Extended use of amphetamines can result in a high level of dependence, and in severe cases, permanent psychosis.
Prevalence of Use:
Widespread, increasing each year.
Most common in:
Arizona, California and Colorado.
Clinical Symptoms:
decreased appetite coupled with increased stamina, twitching and hyperactivity, irregular heart beat, and hyperhidrosis. Long term effects may include heart attack, stroke, erectile dysfunction, a weakened immune system and a narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract. If amphetamines are snorted, the interior chamber of the nostrils may erode.
METHAMPHETAMINES
This is an extremely serious class of drugs. It may also be known as Crank, Crystal methadrine, Crystal meth or speed. Dependence on this kind of drug occurs quickly and the results are incredibly damaging. It comes in a white powder form, or a large quantity may resemble a block of wax. It is extremely addicting and dangerous, due to the fact it can be manufactured by just about anyone.
What to Look For:
The symptoms for methamphetamine use are very similar to amphetamines, but may be more severe. In the case of crystal meth, tooth decay occurs very quickly and the subject may age incredibly over a short period of time. Hair loss may also be common. Since this drug is highly addicting, the user can spiral downward over a very short period of time. It is imperative to intervene as quickly as possible before the user becomes totally dependent on the drug. A meth high can last for days, followed by a crash which will last for days as well. If you notice that they are not sleeping for days on end, yet have a tremendous amount of energy, meth should be your first suspect.
Prevalence of Use:
Widespread, becoming much more common.
Most common in:
Arizona, Colorado and California. Rural and isolated areas in the country are also hotbeds for meth production and sales.
Clinical Symptoms:
Rapid decay of teeth (Meth Mouth), jaw clenching, extreme thirst, hyperactivity, dilated pupils, panic attacks, talkativeness, skin sores, increase in acne and psychosis. Long term effects include brain damage, a psychosis known as "formication" where it feels as though you have bugs crawling through your skin, kidney damage and delusions.
Learn more about Meth Addiction and Crystal Meth Detox.
STIMULANTS
This class of drug is similar to amphetamine and methamphetamine. It may be known as Ritalin, Preludin, Cylert, Didrex, Pre-State, Sandrex, Voranil or Plegine. It is most commonly found in pill form, but may be crushed into a powder, depending on the delivery method. Stimulants are commonly taken as pills, but may be injected as well.
What to Look For:
Stimulants also have similar side effects to amphetamines. However, some severe side effects can occur which include irregular heartbeat, delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, fever and convulsions.
Prevalence of Use:
See Amphetamines
Clinical Symptoms:
See Amphetamines
BARBITURATES AND METHAQUALONE
On the other end of the scale, we have barbiturates and methaqualone which produce the opposite effect of uppers. These are commonly known as "downers" or Barbs, Blue Devils, Red Devils, Yellows, Yellow Jacket, Tuinals, Nembutal, Seconal, and Amytal. Pill colors vary but might include blue, yellow or red, or they may be two-toned blue and red, depending on the type of drug.
What to Look For:
The side effects in this class of drug include sleepiness, extreme relaxation, slurring of speech or increased clumsiness. Once again, dependence can form quickly, and overdoses are common. These drugs are particularly dangerous when they are mixed with alcohol. In serious cases, seizures, twitching and actual fits may occur.
Prevalence of Use:
Moderate.
Most common in:
California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington State.
Clinical Symptoms:
extreme relaxation, reduction in heart rate, drowsiness, slurred speech and clumsiness.
TRANQUILIZERS
Tranquilizers such as Valium, Librium, Serax, Miltown, Equanil, Miltown, and Tranxene can easily be abused and unfortunately, they are very easy to come by. They commonly come as pills or tablets and share many side effects with barbiturates. You may not know this name, but chances are you've heard of PCP, Angel Dust or Hog. This is a very serious drug with very serious side effects. If you believe that someone you know is taking this class of drugs, you should take immediate action to get them help before they become a danger to themselves or others. It may come in a liquid form, or even pills, depending on the method of delivery. In some cases, it may also be powdered. It can be taken like a pill, injected or even smoked in a cigarette.
What to Look For:
Slurred speech or uncoordinated movements are common. Sleepiness, lethargy, and an inability to correctly perceive events may also occur. Tranquilizers stay in your body for a long period of time, leading to a build-up of the drug in your system. This creates a resistance, which leads to the use of more pills to reach the desired effect. Overdosing is very common and unfortunately, very easy.
Prevalence of Use:
See Barbiturates
Clinical Symptoms:
See Barbiturates
PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP)
What to Look For:
PCP often causes the user to feel extremely hot, and most people end up stripping off all of their clothes. Aggression is extremely common and the user may have almost superhuman strength. Increased or decreased heart rate, palpitations, dilated pupils, and vomiting may also be present. On the other end of the scale, after the high, severe depression may also occur. This is an extremely serious drug and if you know someone who is using it, take action immediately.
Prevalence of Use:
Moderate.
Most common in:
California and New York. Most commonly sprayed on marijuana, and the recipient may not be aware that they were given PCP.
Clinical Symptoms:
Numbness in the extremities, extreme strength and the appearance of an exaggerated gate. In high doses, PCP lowers blood pressure, the heart rate and respiration. Blurred vision, hallucinations, seizures, coma and death are also common.
LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE (LSD)
This is another common drug with a technical name. You'll recognize it as LSD, blue heaven, sugar cubes or acid. It usually comes in liquid form that is licked, so be on the lookout for strange stamps, sugar cubes, gelatin cubes or even squares of paper. Like PCP, this can be a very dangerous drug if used on a continuous basis or over a prolonged period of time.
What to Look For:
LSD unfortunately has long term side effects that can bother a user for years. They include hallucinations, flashbacks, mania, increased body temperature, tremors and even mental disorders with long term use. Users commonly feel an altered state of perception and may appear out of it, or may go into rages, depending on their "trip."
Prevalence of Use:
Very common.
Most common in:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington State.
Clinical Symptoms:
Contractions of the uterus, hyperthermia, jaw clenching, a rise in blood sugar, tremors, muscle cramps and/or tension, hallucinations, euphoria, goose bumps and an elevated heart rate. May induce psychosis in some cases.
MESCALINE AND PEYOTE
Mesc and Peyote are not as popular as they once were, but they are still very easy to get a hold of. These drugs will look like hard tablets that are usually brown in color, but they may also look like pills or capsules. They can be swallowed whole, or crushed into a powder that can be smoked or ingested.
What to Look For:
See Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Prevalence of Use:
See Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Clinical Symptoms:
excessive laughter, dizziness, dilation of the pupils, tachychardia, anxiety, headaches, vomiting, irrational behavior and psychosis.
PSILOCYBIN
You'll know this drug by its nickname of mushroom or shrooms. In fact, that's what they are and they'll look like either fresh picked mushrooms or dried mushrooms. They are commonly chewed or swallowed.
What to Look For:
See Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Prevalence of Use:
See Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Clinical Symptoms:
See Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
HEROIN, OPIUM AND FENTANYL
Heroin has enjoyed a recent comeback lately and is becoming increasingly more popular. It is a white or dark brown powder that can be smoked, inhaled or injected. It is also referred to as Smack, Horse, Mud, Brown sugar, Junk, Black tar, or Big H. Opium is usually brown and can be eaten, injected or smoked. Fentanyl is a synthetic form of heroin that is usually white.
What to Look For:
In some cases, heroin leaves a brown stain on the upper lip that is unmistakable. Other effects from these two drugs include loss of coordination, euphoria, drowsiness, nausea, respiratory distress and in severe cases, death. It is another drug that is extremely addictive, and the user's tolerance to its effects grows quickly, causing many to overdose as they attempt to reach their high again.
Prevalence of Use:
Moderate to Low.
Most common in:
California and New York
Clinical Symptoms:
decreased heart rate, pupil constriction, itching, nausea and severe vomiting, rash and shallow respiration. Severe side effects include coma, seizure, respiratory arrest or sudden death.
COCAINE AND CRACK COCAINE
Just like heroin, cocaine is quickly becoming more popular than ever. It may also be called Coke, Snow, Flake, Nose Candy, Blow, Lady, Big C, White or Snowbirds. Crack cocaine differs slightly and usually creates a higher level of dependence and the user will be more aggressive. Cocaine is a white powder while Crack Cocaine will look like white or tan rocks or pellets. Both can be extremely deadly and addictive.
What to Look For:
A user's pupils will appear dilated and their heart rate will increase. Many report a feeling of supremacy and an incredible high. During the high they may be restless and experience aggression, paranoia, anxiety, seizures and death. Overdosing is very easy and unfortunately, very common. Both are extremely addicting.
Prevalence of Use:
Very Common.
Most common in:
Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Colorado, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington State and Wisconsin.
Clinical Symptoms:
hyperactivity, itchy or crawling skin sensations, increased heart rate, elevation of blood pressure and euphoria. Long term or severe side effects include sudden death, coma, heart attack, stroke, the degeneration of nasal tissue if the drug is inhaled, renal failure, delusions, paranoia, and psychosis.
AMYL NITRITE
In the class of drugs that are inhaled, we'll start with Amyl Nitrite. This may also be called Poppers or Snappers. It is characterized by a clear ampule that is filled with a yellowish liquid. The ampule is crushed, releasing the gas vapors, which are then inhaled. The ampule may be covered in cloth to protect the user's fingers when they snap it open.
What to Look For:
Reactions to this drug include dilated blood vessels, increased heart rate and blood pressure, a feeling of being "high" and in some cases, flushing of the face and neck may occur as blood vessels dilate. A headache or dizziness may also be present.
Prevalence of Use:
Widespread.
Most common in:
California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Texas.
Clinical Symptoms:
Flushing of the face, dizziness, increased pulse rate, headache and involuntary relaxation of muscles. In the event of an overdose, nausea, hyperventilation and hypotension may occur.
BUTYL NITRITE
This relative of amyl nitrite usually comes in small bottles. It is also inhaled and may be known as Rush, Bolt, Bullet, Locker Room or Climax.
What to Look For:
See Amyl Nitrite
Prevalence of Use:
See Amyl Nitrite
Clinical Symptoms:
See Amyl Nitrite
CHLOROHYDROCARBONS AND HYDROCARBONS
These dangerous drugs can be found under most kitchen sinks anywhere in the US. Simple cleaning products in aerosol cans pull double duty as a drug when their contents are inhaled. Paint cans may also be used, and the cans may be hidden in a brown paper bag.
What to Look For:
Users will have double vision, an increased heart rate, uncoordinated movements and their blood pressure will rise. Severe headaches usually result, as well as weakness, nausea and vomiting. This is extremely addicting, and since they are very easy to find, it may be hard to limit a user's exposure. In many cases, suffocation occurs as the user inhales the drug, making death a very common side effect.
Prevalence of Use:
Widespread.
Clinical Symptoms:
A rash may be present around the user's eyes and nose. Hallucinations usually occur, and stomach cramps, light headedness, or dizziness are usually present. Other serious side effects of all drugs in this class include liver failure, heart failure, suffocation, permanent brain damage and death.
NITROUS OXIDE
This common gas can easily be abused as a drug. It's also known as laughing gas or whippet. Look for a small cylinder with a balloon attached or a pipe propellant. It is inhaled, much like chloro or hydrocarbons. This drug is also extremely addictive, at least psychologically and serious side effects can occur.
What to Look For:
A loss of motor control is common, as well as insensitivity to pain, a feeling of being disconnected and of course, laughter. In some cases, the user may experience hallucinations.
Prevalence of Use:
Widespread.
Clinical Symptoms:
Euphoria, hallucinations, dizziness and distortion of sound in some cases.
MARIJUANA
This is an extremely common drug that has enjoyed popularity for decades. It's also called Pot, Reefer, Weed, Grass, Ganja, Dope, Mary Jane, or Sinsemilla. It is green and leafy in appearance and has an unmistakable strong odor. It may be rolled into cigarettes or cigars, or you may find it in a plain bag. In some cases, it may be added to food and eaten. Marijuana contains what is known as THC, and this is what produces its side effects. The quality of marijuana is determined by how high the THC levels are. For example, "ditch weed" has very low levels of THC while Acapulco Gold will have very high levels.
What to Look For:
A very strong odor emanating from the user's clothes, room or car will usually be present. This is usually a good sign that some use is occurring, even long after symptoms disappear. This drug can impair memory, make the user feel disoriented or they may have trouble making connections or following a thought process. Most users experience a mellow feeling, but in some cases, users may have mania, panic attacks or an increased heart rate.
Prevalence of Use:
Extremely High.
Most common in:
all States
Clinical Symptoms:
relaxation, disorientation, sleepiness, slowing down of thought processes, hunger, slowed motor skills. Particularly worrisome if treated with another drug, such as PCP or LSD.
HASHISH AND HASHISH OIL
Once thought to be a relic of a bygone era, hashish and hashish oil are making quite a comeback. Hashish will look like a brown piece of cake, or it may look like a small ball. Hashish oil is dark brown and syrupy, but it may appear clear, depending on how it was made. Hashish is very similar to marijuana and can be smoked or eaten. It is a concentrated form of marijuana and hashish oil is regular hashish that has been purified with a solvent. Hashish oil is typically smoked and can be added to a regular cigarette.
What to Look For:
See Marijuana
Prevalence of Use:
See Marijuana
Clinical Symptoms:
See Marijuana
