This listing is taken from Drugs of Abuse, published by the Department of Justice, 1989, and What Works: Schools Without Drugs, published by the Department of Education, 1989.

Stimulants: speed up action of the central nervous system

Name (slang): Amphetamines (speed, uppers, pep pills, bennies)

Possible effects:

• Hallucinations may occur.
• Tolerance, psychological and sometimes physical dependence can develop.
• Continued high doses can cause heart problems, malnutrition, death.

Name (slang): Cocaine (coke, snow, crack, rock cocaine) legally classified as a narcotic

Possible effects:

• Confusion, depression, hallucinations may occur.
• Tolerance and physical dependence can develop.
• Effects are unpredictable - convulsions, coma, and death are possible.
• Nasal membranes may be destroyed.
• Smoking may cause lesions in lungs.

Depressants: relax the central nervous system

Name (slang): Barbiturates (barbs, goof balls, downers, blues)

Possible effects:

• Confusion, loss of coordination, etc. may occur.
• Tolerance, physical and psychological dependence can develop.

Tranquilizers

Possible effects:

• An overdose can cause coma, death.
• Depressants taken in combinations or with alcohol are especially dangerous.

Cannabis: alters mood and perception

Name (slang): Marijuana (grass, pot, weed, reefer); Hashish (hash); Hashish oil (hash oil)

Possible effects:

• Confusion, loss of coordination; with large doses, hallucinations may occasionally occur.
• Longterm use may cause moderate tolerance, psychological dependence.
• Longterm use may cause damage to lung tissue.

Hallucinogens: temporarily distort reality

Name (slang): Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD, acid)

Possible effects:

• Hallucinations, panic may occur.
• Effects may recur (flashbacks) even after use is discontinued.
• Possible birth defects in users' children.

Name (slang): Phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust) legally classified as a depressant

Possible effects:

• Depression, hallucinations, confusion, irrational behavior.
• Tolerance develops.
• An overdose can cause convulsions, coma, death.

Name: Mescaline, MDA, DMT, STP, psilocybin, "designer drugs"

Possible effects:

• Effects are similar to those of LSD.

Narcotics: lower perception of pain

Name (slang): Heroin (H, scag, horse, junk, smack); Morphine (M, dreamer); Codeine; Opium

Possible effects:

• Lethargy, apathy, loss of judgment and selfcontrol may occur.
• Tolerance, physical and psychological dependence can develop.
• An overdose can cause convulsions, death.
• Risks of use include malnutrition, infection, hepatitis.

Deliriants: cause mental confusion

Name (slang): Aerosols; Lighter fluid; Paint thinner; Amyl nitrite (poppers); Other inhalants

Possible effects:

• Loss of coordination, confusion, hallucinations may occur.
• An overdose can cause convulsions, death.
• Psychological dependence can develop.
• Permanent damage to lungs, brain, liver, bone marrow can result.

Alcohol

Possible effects:

• Longterm, heavy drinking is linked to cancer, heart and liver damage, and other serious illnesses. Tolerance, physical and psychological dependence can develop.

Nicotine

Possible effects:

• Longterm cigarette smoking is linked to emphysema, lung cancer, heart disease. Physical and psychological dependence can result.

NOTE: Caffeine found in coffee and colas is a stimulant drug but is not controlled by law.