An A-Z list of different drugs and what they do (page 1) By Bobbie Morgan

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Cocaine / Crack

Also known as: coke, snow, charlie, rock, white. What is it?: a stimulant with properties similar to amphetamine. What does it look like?: found as white powder (cocaine) or raisin size crystal (crack). Crack is produced from a manufacturing process whereby cocaine is dissolved in water and heated with a chemical reagent to 'free' the cocaine alkaloid 'base' from the powder. This produces small crystals or rocks which, when smoked in pipes, 'cracks'.

How is it used?: cocaine is usually sniffed or snorted through a tube and absorbed into the blood supply via the nasal membranes. Crack is usually smoked. The effects: Psychological: confidence, feeling alert or clever, depression anxiety, paranoia and exhaustion. When sniffed the effects of this drug peak after about 15-30 minutes. This means that in order to maintain the effect, the dose must be repeated around once every twenty minutes. When smoked, the effects are felt more immediately and wear off more quickly. Short term: damage to nasal tissue. After discontinuing the user will feel tired and depressed, which repeats the temptation to repeat the dose. Long term: this drug can cause miscarriage, premature birth, voice and lung damage, weight loss, damage to nasal tissue, chest pains, heart problems, shortness of breath, convulsions, restlessness and confusion.

Legal facts This drug is very rarely prescribed, so in almost every case it is illegal to possess or supply it. Cocaine / crack is a Class A drug If caught in possession of this drug the maximum penalty is 7 years in prison and an unlimited fine. If caught supplying this drug the maximum penalty is life in prison and an unlimited fine.

Ecstasy

Also known as: E, XTC, disco burgers, white doves, biscuits, Mitsubishis, MDMA, elephants. What is it?: hallucinogenic stimulant. A group of drugs roughly combining the effects of amphetamines and LSD. What does it look like?: found as white or coloured tablets of differing shapes.

How is it used?: this drug is swallowed. Ecstasy is often used with amphetamines or cocaine to heighten its effects. As the drug has become more popular (with the advent of the 'acid house' scene in the late 1980s) so the quality of the drugs has tended to decrease - many tablets or capsules sold as ecstasy may not contain the drug at all or be a mixture of other drugs. The effects: Psychological: calming effect, greater awareness of sight and sound, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, depression, invulnerability, mental illness and insomnia. Short term: effects are experienced after 20-60 minutes and can last for several hours. Dehydration, overheating, fatigue and depression can all occur. Long term: increasing evidence is emerging on the effect of ecstasy on brain cells and brain function. Some sudden deaths have occurred so far (around 80). The effects are very unpredictable and can cause liver and kidney problems.

Legal facts You cannot sell or supply this drug legally. Ecstasy is a Class A drug. The maximum penalty for possessing ecstasy is 7 years in prison and an unlimited fine. The maximum penalty for supplying ecstasy is life in prison and an unlimited fine.

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An A-Z list of different drugs and what they do By Bobbie Morgan

GHB (Gammahydroxybutyrate)

Also known as: easy lay, liquid ecstasy, natural sleep-500, somatomax, liquid x, gammo-o, salt water. What is it?: synthetic drug, depressant and general anaesthetic, and a treatment for insomnia and alcoholism. GHB is also an alternative to steroids.

GHB (Gammahydroxybutyrate)

What does it look like?: this drug is usually found in two forms: either a colourless liquid with a salty taste or as a usually white powder. This drug is not normally found in capsule or tablet form. How is it used?: GHB was originally developed to use as a medicine during surgery. It can be smoked or snorted. The effects: Psychological: GHB has sedative properties and can produce feelings of euphoria. Effects include an enhanced state of relaxation and decrease in inhibitions. Short term: effects are felt within 5-20 minutes and last anything from 1-3 hours. Other effects also include vomiting, drowsiness, amnesia, vertigo and unresponsive sleep. Long term: the long term effects of this drug are not yet fully known. There is a potential for respiratory problems that can result in sudden death. The strength of GHB can vary from bottle to bottle so it can be difficult to know how much is being taken and there is therefore a high risk of overdose.

Legal facts GHB is not listed as an illegal substance, so possession is not an offence. Supply is controlled under the Medicines Act, but this does not stop the drug from being sold as a sex aid. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs are considering classifying GHB as a Class C drug.

Heroin

Also known as: H, smack, skag, brown, junk, gear, codeine. What is it?: a depressant and an opiate derived from the opium poppy. From morphine it is not difficult to produce heroin, which is, in pure form, a white powder more than twice as potent as morphine. What does it look like?: illicit supplies are often found in the form of brownish powder. Pure heroin is white.

How is it used?: smoked by heating it and inhaling the fumes (this is know as 'chasing the dragon'). Heroin can also be sniffed up the nose like cocaine or injected. The effects: Psychological: sensations of warmth, drowsiness, reduced anxiety, euphoria, painlessness, irritability, resentment and poor concentration. Short term : sickness, constipation and a disputed menstrual cycle in women. Long term: coma or death from overdose can occur. Overdose is more likely if heroin is used in conjunction with other depressants such as alcohol. Users also lose interest in personal health and appearance, and a loss of height and anorexia can also occur.

Legal facts It is legal to use this type of drug when prescribed for pain control or to prevent withdrawal symptoms (diamorphine). However, only specially licensed Doctors can prescribe these drugs for the treatment of opiate addiction. Otherwise it is illegal to possess or supply this drug. Heroin is a Class A drug. The maximum penalty for possessing heroin is 7 years in prison and an unlimited fine. The maximum penalty for supply of heroin is life imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Inhalants / Solvents

What is it?: Gas, glues, aerosols, cleaning fluid. What does it look like?: Found in glue, aerosols, butane gas, correcting fluid, dry cleaning fluid, petrol, some fire extinguishers and many household products. How is it used?: Inhaled either from a plastic bag, cloth or crisp packet or by spraying directly into the mouth. Some organic (carbon-based) substances produce effects similar to alcohol or anaesthetics when their vapours are inhaled.

The effects: Psychological: intoxication, sociability, hilarity and loss of inhibitions. Psychological dependence develops in some people (mainly young) who are vulnerable usually as a result of underlying family or personal problems. Short terms: Spots around the nose and mouth, lingering smell, unconciousness, physical accidents due to intoxication. Cough, excessive nasal discharge, stomach pains and nausea, episodes of erratic, uncharacteristic or disturbed behaviour, complaints of numbness or tingling feelings in hands and feet. The effects disappear after about 15-45 minutes. Afterwards users feel drowsy and may suffer a mild hangover. Users may also hallucinate. Sudden exertion after use could cause the user to collapse. Long term: sudden sniffing death (SSD). Users also run the risk of accidental death if under the influence in a potentially dangerous environment. If the method used to inhale the solvent obstructs breathing (ie. Using a plastic bag over the head) and the sniffer becomes unconscious then suffocation may result.

Legal facts These drugs can be bought and sold legally. However, it is illegal for shopkeepers to sell these products to children under the age of 18 if they believe that the products will be used for intoxication. Users can be arrested and convicted for unruly, offensive or intoxicated behaviour or because they resist Police attempts to intervene. Someone driving under the influence of these solvents can be convicted of driving whilst unfit.

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