Drug AbuseTyler Martin, Juan Ventura, Karina Rocha, Jonathan

Pestrella

Marijuana Aka: Pot, budha,

ganja, grass, weed, herb, mary jane.

The most common illicit drug

Effects on the Brain THC acts on certain cells in the brain called cannabinoid

receptors which cause a series of cellular reactions resulting in a “high”

The highest density of cannabinoid receptors are found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thoughts, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement.

Marijuana's impact on learning and memory can last weeks after the effects have worn off. As a result someone who smokes everyday may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.

Effects on the Brain (cont)Studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana

use and increased rates of:

Anxiety

Depression

Suicidal Ideation

Schizophrenia

Physical Effects Marijuana smoke contains 50-

70% more carcinogens than tobacco smoke.

Marijuana users inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers resulting in more exposure to carcinogenic smoke.

Marijuana smokers have the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers, such as daily cough, acute chest pain, and a heightened risk for lung infections.

Physical Effects (cont) Marijuana increases heart rate by 20-200% shortly after

smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it is estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-

fold increase of heart attack in the first hour after smoking. This may be due to the increased heart rate as well as

marijuana's effect on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmias.

Cognitive Effects Marijuana can cause the following: Distorted perceptions Impaired coordination Difficulty thinking completely

Social Effects Research demonstrates that marijuana has the potential to

cause problems in daily life or make existing problems worse. Heavy marijuana users reported that the drug impaired

several important measures of life achievement including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status.

Several studies associate workers’ marijuana smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers compensation claims, and job loss.

Percentage of 12th Graders Who Have Used Marijuana

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Lifetime 47.8 46.1 45.7 44.8 42.3 41.8 42.6

Past Year

36.2 34.9 34.3 33.6 31.5 31.7 32.4

Past Month

21.5 21.2 19.9 19.8 18.3 18.8 19.4

Daily 6.0 6.0 5.6 5.0 5.0 5.1 5.4

Crystal Meth Aka: Crank, ice,

speed, glass. One of the most

addictive substances on the planet.

Effects on the Brain Meth has shown to cause the release of high levels of

dopamine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates the brain cells. Consumption of this compound also has a neurotoxic effect on the brain cells that store dopamine and serotonin, another substance that is responsible for neurotransmission.

Over time, the levels of dopamine and serotonin become lower which means more of the drug is to required to produce the same effect as before. Higher consumption eventually leads to overdose and death.

Former addicts have difficulty experiencing happiness in daily life because their brains simply have no dopamine and serotonin left.

Effects on the Brain (cont) Even minute consumption of meth will cause

wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia, and euphoria. Effects of meth on the CNS (central nervous system) also include irritability, insomnia, confusion, paranoia, and aggressiveness. Since it is known that it is difficult for nerve cells to be regenerated after having been damaged, use of the drug can cause severe permanent damage to the CNS.

Ingredients in Meth Ingredients include: Drain cleaner Anhydrous ammonia( fertilizer) Iodine Matches-Red phosphorus Ephedrine( Cold medicine) Ether (anesthetic agent) Drano Brake fluid Lighter fluid Hydrochloric acid Gasoline additives/rubbing alcohol Paint thinner Battery acid

Ingredients in Meth (cont) Lithium from car batteries Freon( refrigerant) Propane Camp stove fuel Chloroform Muriatic acid (pool

cleaner) Phosophine gas

(pesticides)

Physical Effects Physical effects can include: Anorexia,

hyperactivity, dilated pupils, flushing, restlessness, dry mouth, hypotension, hypertension, hyperthermia, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, twitching, insomnia, numbness, palpitations, tremors, dry/achy skin, convulsions, heart attack, stroke, and death.

Physical Effects (cont) Frequent use of large amounts of amphetamines

may eventually result in mental illness, suicide and violent death. Meth-induced psychosis is a paranoid state that may develop after ingestion or the injection of large doses of methamphetamines .

Meth use increases self-confidence, which often ignores the reality of personal limitations. Meth users may experience "Superman Syndrome," in which they attempt to perform tasks they are incapable of performing. 

Social Effects Significant numbers of American youth

engage in heavy meth use and these numbers continue to increase. Causing damage to property and causing injury to themselves are among the most common problems associated with meth use.

Statistics show that between 1998 and 2002, death from methamphetamine overdoses rose 125 percent.

Cognitive Effects As mentioned, meth causes the user to

believe he/she can perform tasks beyond their capabilities.

Resulting in injury to themselves and often times the people around them.

Other Facts The number of 12-17 year olds admitted to

treatment for meth addiction more than doubled between 1994 and 2004.

More than 85% of meth in the US comes from superlabs in California and Mexico. Mexican drug rings often use safe houses on Indian reservations to facilitate distribution into North Dakota.

In 2005, nearly 6.2% of high school seniors reported using methamphetamine at least once.

Heroin Aka: Dope, dragon,

smack, snow. Derivative of the

opium poppy.

Effects on the Brain As with other opioids, heroin is used as both a pain-killer and

a recreational drug and has an extremely high potential for abuse. Frequent and regular administration is associated with tolerance, moderate physical dependence, and severe psychological dependence which develops into addiction.

Once injected the heroin quickly progresses through the blood-brain barrier to bind with brain opiates. This appears to be one of the reasons that heroin is so addictive because of the speed that it is transmitted into the brain.

 At higher doses still, the user will nod off into a semi-conscious state.

Effects on the Brain (cont) Addicts becomes mentally addicted to the

drug. The mind itself craves the rush and the high, not just from a physical standpoint, but from a mental standpoint as well. Even many years after a heroin addict finally obtains sobriety they will still mentally crave the drug because the thinking of the brain has actually been permanently changed and altered.

Withdrawal The withdrawal syndrome from heroin may begin within 6 to

24 hours of discontinuation of the drug; however, this time frame can fluctuate with the degree of tolerance as well as the amount of the last consumed dose. Symptoms may include: sweating, malaise, anxiety, depression, priapism, extra sensitivity of the genitals in females, general feeling of heaviness, cramp-like pains in the limbs, excessive yawning or sneezing, tears, rhino rhea, insomnia, cold sweats, chills, severe muscle and bone aches; nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and fever.

Physical Effects Because heroin is a depressant most people will

become tired and sleepy after usage. The mind becomes clouded and foggy. Response time is non-existent. Making normal activities such as driving extremely dangerous if not impossible. Cardiac function and breathing slows. Many people die from a heroin overdose because of the depressed state of the cardiac and respiratory system.

Cocaine Aka: Blow Snorted to produce

almost immediate effects. But “crack” cocaine is smoked.

Derivative of the coca leaf typically found in areas in South America such as Columbia.

Effects on the Brain Cocaine is a powerful nervous system

stimulant. Its effects can last from 15-30 minutes to an hour, depending upon the method of ingestion.

Cocaine increases alertness, feelings of well-being and euphoria, energy and motor activity, feelings of competence and sexuality.

 Blood flow is sluggish and abnormal compared to the brain of a non-user. Such an abnormality may underlie memory loss, learning problems, attention deficits, and even strokes.

Physical Effects Increased blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and body

temperature. Can cause seizures, strokes, respiratory failure, heart

attack, convulsions and death. Cocaine and crack can damage the liver's ability to detoxify

blood, while reducing the production of critical enzymes needed for normal body functions. 

The blood supply is reduced to the intestines, resulting in nausea, diarrhea, painful cramps, inflammation and possible death.

Bloody nose, and inner nose damage

Other Facts It is estimated that about two million people

are cocaine addicts in the United States, and that between 22 and 25 million people have used cocaine at least once.

Cocaine use is also found along racial lines. The most common group of cocaine abusers are American Indians and/or Alaskan natives.