Where to find illegal drugs

It was used historically in Amazonian religious and healing rituals. Central Nervous System Depressants. Medications that slow brain activity, which makes them useful for treating anxiety and sleep problems. Cocaine A powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America.

For more information, see the Cocaine Research Report. DMT Dimethyltriptamine DMT is a synthetic drug that produces intense but relatively short-lived hallucinogenic experiences; it is also found naturally in some South American plants see Ayahuasca. GHB Gamma-hydroxybutyrate GHB is a depressant approved for use in the treatment of narcolepsy, a disorder that causes daytime "sleep attacks".

Heroin An opioid drug made from morphine, a natural substance extracted from the seed pod of various opium poppy plants.

For more information, see the Heroin Research Report. Inhalants Solvents, aerosols, and gases found in household products such as spray paints, markers, glues, and cleaning fluids; also prescription nitrites. For more information, see the Inhalants Research Report. Ketamine A dissociative drug used as an anesthetic in veterinary practice.

Dissociative drugs are hallucinogens that cause the user to feel detached from reality. Long-term Ulcers and pain in the bladder; kidney problems; stomach pain; depression; poor memory. Other Health-related Issues Sometimes used as a date rape drug. Risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles. In Combination with Alcohol Increased risk of adverse effects. Withdrawal Symptoms Unknown. Treatment Options Medications There are no FDA-approved medications to treat addiction to ketamine or other dissociative drugs.

Behavioral Therapies More research is needed to find out if behavioral therapies can be used to treat addiction to dissociative drugs. Khat Pronounced "cot," a shrub Catha edulis found in East Africa and southern Arabia; contains the psychoactive chemicals cathinone and cathine. People from African and Arabian regions up to an estimated 20 million worldwide have used khat for centuries as part of cultural tradition and for its stimulant-like effects.

Kratom A tropical deciduous tree Mitragyna speciosa native to Southeast Asia, with leaves that contain many compounds, including mitragynine, a psychotropic mind-altering opioid.

Kratom is consumed for mood-lifting effects and pain relief and as an aphrodisiac. For more information, see the Kratom DrugFacts. LSD A hallucinogen manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.

LSD is an abbreviation of the scientific name l ysergic acid diethylamide. Marijuana Cannabis Marijuana is made from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The main psychoactive mind-altering chemical in marijuana is deltatetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. For more information, see the Marijuana Research Report. MDMA is an abbreviation of the scientific name 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine. For more information, see the Hallucinogens DrugFacts.

Methamphetamine An extremely addictive stimulant amphetamine drug. For more information, see the Methamphetamine Research Report. Over-the-Counter Medicines--Loperamide An anti-diarrheal that can cause euphoria when taken in higher-than-recommended doses. PCP A dissociative drug developed as an intravenous anesthetic that has been discontinued due to serious adverse effects. PCP is an abbreviation of the scientific name, phencyclidine.

Low doses: slight increase in breathing rate; increased blood pressure and heart rate; shallow breathing; face redness and sweating; numbness of the hands or feet; problems with movement.

High doses: nausea; vomiting; flicking up and down of the eyes; drooling; loss of balance; dizziness; violence; seizures, coma, and death. Long-term Memory loss, problems with speech and thinking, loss of appetite, anxiety. In Combination with Alcohol Unknown. Withdrawal Symptoms Headaches, increased appetite, sleepiness, depression. Prescription Opioids Pain relievers with an origin similar to that of heroin.

Opioids can cause euphoria and are often used nonmedically, leading to overdose deaths. Long-term Increased risk of overdose or addiction if misused. Other Health-related Issues Pregnancy: Miscarriage, low birth weight, neonatal abstinence syndrome.

United Nations. Office on Drugs and Crime. Site Search. Drug trafficking. Introduction Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. More Resources: Data and Analysis. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Long-term drinking can cause physical and mental damage. Being drunk can cause people to become more vulnerable to violence, theft and assault.

Young people may use amphetamines at clubs and parties or at exam times and situations where they want more energy. Read our advice about what parents should know about drugs or visit Talk to Frank for more information about drugs and alcohol. This is sold as a hard or crumbly resin or as a dry herb.

Buds of the cannabis plant contain more drug than the stalks and leaves. Is it usually smoked with tobacco in a roll up. There are lots of different types of cannabis, including Skunk, Sensimilia, Purple Haze, etc.

Cocaine is bought as a white powder. It is normally sniffed but can be prepared for injection. Crack comes in the form of 'small rocks' and can be smoked and injected. Read our article on how to talk to teens about drugs. GBL is a party drug which is particularly popular amongst university students, and can be fatal when taken with alcohol.

It caused the death of 21 year old student Hester Stewart in Brighton in Its dangers were highlighted when 22 year old Mikaela Tyhurst revealed how her looks and health had been ravaged after taking GBL over the previous four years.

Read more about teenage parties. Powerful anaesthetic drug with medical uses which is usually sold as a white crystalline powder or tablet. Sold as small squares of paper with cartoon designs. These are swallowed and take up to half an hour to have an effect. A trip can last for as long as 12 hours. Generally only available during the autumn in the wild. They can be eaten either raw or cooked, made into a tea or smoked.

Mephedrone often called 'meow meow is a powerful stimulant and belongs to a group of drugs that are closely related to the amphetamines - including amphetamine itself often called 'speed' , methamphetamine and ecstasy. There is very little evidence about mephedrone and what long-term effects it has, but there have reports of people hospitalised due to the short-term effects.

Also, you can never be entirely sure that what you're buying is actually mephedrone and not something else. Used by younger teenagers, these are particularly dangerous as they can kill unpredictably, even first time users.

Substances misused can include nail varnish removers, aerosols, butane gas, glues, petrol, dry cleaning fluid. I've discovered that my child is smoking cannabis - what are the risks associated with this drug?

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Britain. Smoking it can leave users feeling relaxed, optimistic and talkative. However, it also has hallucinogenic effects which can lead to paranoia and anxiety. Heavy use can lead to concentration problems, while some users begin to feel tired all the time and lack motivation.

It is a particularly risky drug for anyone with heart problems as it increases the heart rate and can affect blood pressure, and can also lead to respiratory diseases, coughs and sore throats. There is no strong evidence to suggest that cannabis is a 'gateway drug'. Many young people who experiment with recreational drugs do not go on to develop long-term problems with substance abuse.

A small minority who use cannabis may move on to other drugs. However, it is an individual's choice whether they take drugs and what type of drug they use, and as such it is difficult to generalise. The key is in understanding why your child had taken a drug such as cannabis in the first place - be it peer pressure or lack of self-esteem - as these factors will invariably influence their decision to experiment with harder drugs in the future.

Try to understand why they're attracted to this new crowd - it could be that they're having problems with their existing friends or they want to be accepted by these particular peers.

Time Allocated Partial lesson under 45mins. Origin Australian. Cost Free. What are illegal drugs? The effects of a drug are influenced by: The type of drug How much is consumed Where the person is when the drug is being used What the person is doing while using the drugs Individual characteristics such as body size and health vulnerabilities How many different drugs are taken at one time See Polydrug use: Factsheet.

Read our factsheets to find the answers to some frequently asked questions about illegal drugs: What happens if I am caught with an illegal drug? Read Making Choices: Factsheet How to help a friend or family member with their drug or alcohol use How do I help someone who has taken an illegal drug?

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