Other Drugs Information : A to Z of Drugs

A to Z of Drugs

This information is taken from ADFAM (http://www.adfam.org.uk). This is a UK site, so all legal status information will be based on the UK system.

2 CB & 2-CT-7 2CB	Alcohol	Anabolic Steroids
Cannabis	Cocaine	Crack
Crystal Meth	Esctasy	Gases, glues & aerosols
GHB	Heroin	Ketamine
Khat	LSD	Magic mushrooms
Methadone	PMA	Poppers
Speed	Tobacco	Tranquilisers
YABA

Drug	2 CB & 2-CT-7 2CB
Other names	bromo, nexus CB2-CT-7 = T-7, 7-up and tripstacy
Overview	These hallucinogens are sold as white powder or tiny 5mg pills. Most people take several at a time - often with E - and effects can last from 4 to 8 hours. The more you take the more intense and uncontrollable the experience. Normally swallowed, they can also be snorted or smoked. Jury's out on whether you can become addicted or not and whether there is any long term damage. They are not widely available in the UK.
Effects	Users feel really aware of colours, sounds and smells. The body feels hyper sensitive and lots of people get randy. You may hallucinate. Regular use may leave people tired, disorientated and anxious.
Risks	Users may become depressed. Drugs like these can bring on panic attacks and more serious psychotic illnesses.
Legal status	Class A = illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying someone else can get you life and an unlimited fine.

Drug	alcohol
Other names	booze, bevy, pop - you've heard them all before
Overview	Alcohol is a depressant, so it slows down your body's responses. It comes in all kinds of forms, from spirits to alcopops. Dependence can creep up on you. Official guidelines recommend no more than 3-4 units a day for adult men, 2-3 for adult women. One unit is half a pint of beer, lager or cider; one small glass of table wine; or a 25ml measure of spirits.
Effects	Like most drugs, alcohol will exaggerate whatever mood you're in when you start drinking. If you're on a bit of a downer, you might stay that way.
Risks	Tolerance increases with use. Alcohol is attributed to all kinds of problems from violent crime to domestic violence and car-related deaths. Long-term use has been linked with illnesses like liver damage, stomach cancer and heart disease.
Legal status	It's against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence or supermarket, or to have alcohol bought for them (except for 16 and 17 year olds having a meal in a pub). Anyone over 18 can buy and drink alcohol legally in licensed premises in Britain.

Drug	anabolic steroids
Other names	users call them roids trade names include Sustanon 250, Deca-Durabolin, Dianabol, Anavar, Stanozolol
Overview	Steroids are popular with bodybuilders and other sportspeople because they enhance performance. They can be bought as tablets which are swallowed or as a liquid which is injected. Steroids are not physically addictive but a user can quickly become psychologically dependent.
Effects	Users claim the drug makes them feel more aggressive and able to train harder. If taken during a strict exercise regime, they can help build muscle mass. They may also help users recover from strenuous exercise faster
Risks	After stopping, withdrawal can include lethargy and depression. If you're young, abuse of anabolic steroids can stop you growing properly. If you're male, you can get erection problems, grow breasts, become sterile, develop acne or your testicles could shrink. You could experience dramatic mood swings, paranoia or confusion, and ultimately long-term depression. Steroids can also give you high blood pressure and increase your risk of liver failure, stroke or heart attack.
Legal status	Class C; can only be sold by pharmacists with a doctor's prescription. It's legal to possess or import steroids as long as they're for personal use. Possession or importing with intent to supply (which includes giving them to friends) is illegal and could lead to 5 years in prison and an unlimited fine.

Drug	cannabis
Other names	bhang, black, blast, blow, blunts, Bob Hope, bush, dope, draw, ganja, grass, hash, hashish, hemp, herb, marijuana, northern lights, pot, puff, resin, sensi, sensemilla, shit, skunk, smoke, soap, spliff, wacky backy, weed, zero. Some names are based on where it comes from... Afghan, homegrown, Moroccan etc
Overview	The most widely used illegal drug in Britain. It's made from parts of the cannabis plant, which is a sedative and mild hallucinogen. Cannabis comes in different forms: hash (a blacky-brown lump made from the resin of the plant); grass or weed (dried chopped leaves of the plant); sensimilla (strong form of Jamaican weed); cannabis oil (dark and sticky). It can be smoked or used to make tea or cakes. There is a minimal risk of physical dependence. Psychological dependency occurs in about 10% of users.
Effects	Cannabis is mild hallucinogen which makes colours and sounds appear brighter and sharper. It makes most people happy and relaxed, some will feel sick and some will get the giggles. Effects last up to a few hours. Some people use it to relieve muscle pain associated with illnesses like multiple sclerosis.
Risks	Regular, heavy use can affect co-ordination and short term memory. Users can get anxious and panicky, and in some cases it can lead to psychosis. When smoked, cannabis has a higher concentration than tobacco of the chemicals that cause cancer. It can make asthma worse, and can be risky for people with heart disease, high blood pressure or at risk from strokes.
Legal status	Class C substance. It's illegal to own it and it's illegal to supply it. It's also an offence to grow cannabis. Possession can get you up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine, although most people are either cautioned or fined. Serious offences of supplying cannabis can get you up to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine. Supplying includes passing a joint to a mate. If you're convicted, the court has discretion to take account of the circumstances of the offender and the offence before passing sentence

Drug	cocaine
Other names	basuco, coke, charlie, C, dust, gianlucca, gold dust, lady, percy, snow, toot, white
Overview	Coke is a stimulant with powerful, but short-lived effects. It is a white powder that's usually snorted up the nose. It can be smoked and is sometimes made into a solution and injected. Coke is very addictive, leading to cravings and strong psychological dependence. Crack is stronger and more addictive.
Effects	Taking coke makes users feel wide awake and confident. It raises body temperature, makes the heart beat faster and staves off hunger. The high is short-lived (20 to 30 minutes), often leading to a strong temptation to take more.
Risks	Recent evidence suggests possible long-term changes to the nervous system. A habit can be expensive and take over your life. High doses can raise body temperature, cause convulsions and respiratory arrest, and lead to death. Frequent use can cause depression, panic attacks and reduced sexual desire. Injecting can cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene and spread HIV and hepatitis. Injecting a mixture of cocaine and heroin (known as a 'Speedball') is potentially deadly.
Legal status	Class A = illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying someone else with it can get you life and an unlimited fine.

Drug	crack
Other names	base, freebase, gravel, pebbles, rocks, stones, wash
Overview	Crack is a smokeable form of cocaine, made with the addition of baking powder and water. It's a short-lived stimulant and is extremely addictive. A rock of crack is about the size of a raisin. It's usually smoked in a pipe, glass tube, plastic bottle or in foil - this is known as freebasing. It can also be injected.
Effects	Crack has the same short-lived effects as cocaine but much more intense. Users feel alive, exhilarated, confident and wide awake. It kills all feelings of pain, tiredness and hunger. The high can come with hallucinations, huge mood swings and massive paranoia, and is followed by a long crash which brings tiredness and depression as well as cravings for more. Some people get aggressive or violent. Regular users look excited but nervous. Heavy users have trouble sleeping and feel sick quite a lot.
Risks	Regular users often experience serious problems with anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks. High doses can raise body temperature, cause convulsions and respiratory arrest, and lead to death. The risk of overdosing increases if crack is mixed with heroin, barbiturates or alcohol. Smoking too much can cause breathing problems. It's an expensive habit as the effects wear off so quickly, so there is a strong link to crime. It's easier to overdose by injecting, and this could also cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene and spread diseases.
Legal status	Class A = illegal to have, give away or sell. Possessing crack can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying someone else with it can get you life and an unlimited fine.

Drug	crystal meth
Other names	crystal methamphetamine, crystal meths, ice, krank, tina, tweak
Overview	Crystal meth is an intense stimulant with disinhibitory qualities. One form, Hydro, is a rough yellow substance, the other, Glass, is a smooth white powder. It's snorted, injected or smoked in a pipe. It's made from two highly volatile toxic chemicals. No two mixes are ever the same. It quickly makes people psychologically dependent.
Effects	The high can last from 2-16 hours. It can make some people clean obsessively, while others get a sense of sexual liberation and a huge increase in libido. It can cause hallucinations and paranoia for many days afterwards. Some people become psychotic, or start acting very bizarrely.
Risks	People have died after taking very small quantities. An overdose starts with severe convulsions followed by circulatory and respiratory collapse, coma and death. Users risk HIV infection through unprotected sex. Doing crystal meth could bring previous mental health problems to the surface. Overuse is linked to short term memory loss, wild mood swings, paranoia and damage to the immune system.
Legal status	-

Drug	ecstasy
Other names	adam, brownies, burgers, disco biscuits, dolphins, E, eckies, edward, elephants, essence, fantasy, hug drug, love doves, M & Ms, MDA, MDMA powder, mitsubishis, new yorkers, pills, rhubarb & custard, rolex, shamrocks, sweeties, tulips, white doves, X, XTC
Overview	Pure ecstasy is a white crystalline powder known to chemists as MDMA. Ecstasy sold on the street is usually in tablet form although it's getting more common to see it sold as powder. Tablets come in different colours and may carry pictures or logos. It is usually swallowed although some people do smoke or snort it. Nowadays E is rarely pure. Some of the new manmade drugs like PMA or 4MTA are often passed off as E and their effects can be very different. E is not addictive, but can create psychological dependency. It is possible to build up a tolerance which means people take more and more to get the same buzz.
Effects	E takes about half an hour to kick in and gives an energy high that tends to last between 3 to 6 hours, followed by a gradual comedown. Sounds, colours and emotions feel more intense. It dilates the pupils, produces a tingling feeling, tightens the jaw muscles, raises the body temperature, makes the heart beat faster and makes many people more chatty. Short-term effects can include anxiety, panic attacks, confused episodes, first-time epileptic fits and paranoia. Current evidence suggests that long term use can cause depression, personality change and memory loss.
Risks	There have been about 70 ecstasy-related deaths in the UK (an estimated 500,000 people take it every weekend). Some are linked to the way it can cause the body's temperature to rise. It has also been linked to liver, kidney and heart problems. Those using too much can get paranoid and depressed as well. Drinking too much on E can be dangerous or even fatal as the drug can cause the body to release a hormone which prevents the production of urine, which can interfere with your body's salt balance. The purity of E is not known, and in rare cases it could contain toxic chemicals like MPTP, a drug known to cause irreversible Parkinson's disease.
Legal status	Class A = illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying someone else with it can get you life and an unlimited fine.

Drug	gases, glues & aerosols
Other names	aerosols, gases, glue, thinners, volatile substances,GHB,GBH, gammahydroxybutrate, liquid ecstasy
Overview	Solvents cover a huge number of substances such as gas lighter refills; aerosols; tins or tubes of glue; some paints, thinners and cleaning fluids and petroleum products. When inhaled, solvents have a similar effect to alcohol. They make people feel uninhibited, euphoric and dizzy. Solvents are sniffed from a cloth, a sleeve or a plastic bag. Gas products can be squirted directly into the back of the throat which makes it difficult to control the dose. Most users are between 11 and 16.
Effects	Makes people feel dizzy, dreamy and giggly. It can be difficult to think straight. The hit is quite short so users tend to keep repeating the dose to keep the feeling going. Depending on what's being inhaled, some users can hallucinate. It can cause a 'hangover' afterwards and, depending on the substance, can produce a red rash around the mouth.
Risks	The most common risks are risk nausea, vomiting and blackouts. However solvent abuse killed 64 people in 2000, a quarter of whom were under 18. It can be hard to get the amount right, with a little too much sometimes resulting in coma. Squirting gas products down the throat can make your throat swell so you can't breathe and drastically slow down your heart rate. Sniffing can seriously affect your judgement so you may try something reckless. Long-term abuse has been shown to damage the brain, liver and kidneys. Using solvents in combination with alcohol can lead to an increased risk of death.
Legal status	Solvent misuse isn't illegal. It is illegal in England and Wales for shopkeepers to sell you intoxicating substances if they think you are likely to be inhaling them. In Scotland you can be prosecuted for 'recklessly' selling substances to any age group if you suspect they're going to inhale them. Since October 1999, the law makes it an offence to supply gas lighter refills to anyone under the age of 18. This law applies to the whole of the UK.

Drug	GHB
Other names	GBH, gammahydroxybutrate, liquid ecstasy
Overview	GHB is usually sold as an odourless liquid in small bottles or capsules. More rarely it comes in powder form. It tastes slightly salty. A teaspoon or capful is a normal dose. The effects start between 10 minutes to one hour after taking it and can last up to a whole day. The strength of the liquid varies wildly from bottle to bottle. When mixed badly it can burn the mouth. You can develop both physical and psychological dependency.
Effects	A small capful makes users feel euphoric, sensual and uninhibited. As more and more is taken it acts like a sedative or downer and makes people sleepy. Too much and users feel disoriented and sick. Muscles can go numb or start to spasm. Excessive use can cause a fit or seizure.
Risks	It can be fatal when mixed with alcohol or other drugs. Users can lose consciousness, as it's hard to know what strength the dose is. Too many hits could cause sickness, stiff muscles, fits and collapse. The long term effects of GHB are as yet unknown. Because GHB can really knock you out it's been linked to drug assisted sexual assault. And because it's almost tasteless it's easily slipped in a drink.
Legal status	Class C = illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to two years in jail. Supplying someone else can get you up to five.

Drug	Heroin
Other names	brown, gear, H, horse, smack, skag
Overview	Heroin is made of morphine which comes from the opium poppy. Like many of the drugs made from opium, heroin is a very strong painkiller. Heroin sold as 'brown' is sometimes used by clubbers to chill out after a big night out. Brown is still heroin - and as addictive. Heroin comes as a white powder when it's pure, but street heroin can range from brownish white to brown. It can be smoked, snorted or dissolved in water and injected. Feeding a habit can cost up to £100 a day. Heroin is not instantly addictive but over time the effects reduce so much that users have to take more and more just to feel 'normal'. It causes cravings and strong psychological and physical dependence.
Effects	Heroin slows down body functioning and stops physical and psychological pain. Most users get a rush or buzz a few minutes after taking it. A small dose of heroin gives the user a feeling of warmth and wellbeing. Bigger doses can make the user sleepy and very relaxed. The first dose of heroin can bring about dizziness and vomiting.
Risks	Excessive doses can lead to coma and even death from respiratory failure. The risk increases after a period off the drug because the body's tolerance for the drug goes down. If heroin is taken with other drugs, including alcohol, overdose is much more likely. There's a risk of death due to inhaling vomit as heroin stops the body's cough reflex working properly. Injecting heroin can damage veins and has been known to lead to gangrene. Sharing needles carries health risks.
Legal status	Class A = possession can lead to a prison sentence of up to 7 years and an unlimited fine; supply (which includes giving it to a friend) could lead to a life sentence and another unlimited fine.

Drug	ketamine
Other names	green, K, special K, super K, vitamin k
Overview	Ketamine is a short-acting but powerful general anaesthetic which has been used for operating on humans and animals. It has powerful hallucinogenic qualities. Legally produced ketamine comes in liquid form which is injected. The illegally produced version usually comes as a grainy white powder which is snorted or bought as a tablet.
Effects	Ketamine has a hallucinatory effect and users can trip for up to three hours at a time. It can give the user an 'out of body' experience. Some users say it feels like their mind and body have been separated. In some cases, users may be physically incapable of moving while under the influence.
Risks	Because you don't feel any pain when you're on ketamine, you're in danger of injuring yourself badly without knowing you've done it. Big doses can cause severe breathing difficulties and even heart failure. Ketamine is very dangerous when mixed with other drugs including alcohol. It can cause panic attacks, depression and in large doses can exaggerate pre-existing mental health problems such as schizophrenia. If high enough doses are taken, the anaesthetic effect can result in death from inhaling vomit.
Legal status	Ketamine is a prescription only medicine. You could be prosecuted for supplying it and that includes giving it to friends.

Drug	khat
Other names	chat, catha edulis, khat, qaadka, qat, quat
Overview	Khat is a leaf which is chewed over a number of hours. It is a stimulant with similar effects to amphetamine. Used mostly in Africa, Khat is getting more common in Europe particularly in immigrant communities. Khat can make a user psychologically dependent so when they stop using it they feel depressed.
Effects	Khat is a stimulant and chewing it can make people feel more alert and talkative. It can also suppress the appetite. Although it's a stimulant, many users report a feeling of calm if it's chewed over a few hours. Some describe it as being 'blissed out'.
Risks	If you use it a lot, you may develop insomnia, heart problems and sexual problems like impotence. It can give you feelings of anxiety and aggression. Some people find it makes them irritable, in some cases very angry and even violent. It can make pre-existing mental health problems worse.
Legal status	Khat is not illegal in the UK. It can be used or traded without penalty. It is an illegal substance in many other countries, including the US.

Drug	LSD
Other names	acid, blotter, cheer, dots, drop, flash, hawk, L, lightening flash, liquid acid, lucy, micro dot, paper mushrooms, rainbows, smilies, stars, tab, trips, tripper, window. Sometimes LSD is known by the pictures on them e.g strawberries
Overview	LSD or Lysergic Acid Diethylamide is a hallucinogenic drug originally derived from ergot, a fungus found on rye and other grasses. It's commonly called acid. The experience is known as a trip and these trips can be good or bad. As a street drug it's usually sold as tiny squares of paper called 'tabs', but can also be found as a liquid or as tiny pellets. Acid is not addictive.
Effects	A trip can take from 20 minutes to an hour to start and usually lasts about 12 hours. Once it's started you can't stop it. Until you take a tab of acid you can't tell how strong it is or how it's going to affect you. Acid has very random effects, which feed off a person's imagination and how they are feeling, so can be good or bad - and sometimes very frightening. Colour, sound, objects, time and movement can get distorted.
Risks	If panic sets in the experience can be scary and confusing. Flashbacks sometimes happen. There's no evidence to suggest LSD does any long-term damage to the body or mind. However, if you have mental health issues, acid can make them worse. If you have a history of serious mental health problems in your family it may be a bad idea to take acid as it can bring underlying problems to the surface. People have been known to harm themselves during a bad trip.
Legal status	Class A = illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying someone else with LSD can get you life and an unlimited fine.

Drug	magic mushrooms
Other names	amanita muscaria, fly agaric, liberties, magics, mushies, liberty cap, psilocybe semilanceata, psiloscybin, shrooms
Overview	Magic mushrooms are found in the wild between September and November in Britain. They make you hallucinate when you take them. The most popular is the Liberty Cap (psilocybe semilanceata). The other more potent and toxic kind is called Fly Agaric (amanita muscaria), which will make you sick if you eat it raw. After picking they're either eaten raw or dried out and stored. People cook them up in food or make tea with them. They're sold loose in bags or crushed into tablets. Magic mushrooms are not addictive, but eating the wrong kind of mushroom can make you seriously ill, and even kill you.
Effects	The effects are similar to LSD only the trip is often milder and shorter (it tends to last about 4 hours). Trips come on after about half an hour. Users usually feel giggly and confident. Taking over 30 mushrooms can distort colour, sound, objects, time and movement. If panic sets in the experience can be scary and confusing. Mushrooms make some people feel dizzy and sick and some people get diarrhoea. Flashbacks sometimes happen, in which part of the trip is re-lived a long time after it happens.
Risks	Bad trips can be terrifying, but less likely on mushrooms than on acid. Magic mushrooms can complicate any mental health issues you may have.
Legal status	It is not illegal to possess raw magic mushrooms. However, once they're prepared (e.g dried or stewed) they become a Class A drug. That means possession can get you up to seven years in jail and an unlimited fine. Supplying someone else with magic mushrooms can get you life and an unlimited fine.

Drug	methadone
Other names	diconal, linctus, morphine, methadone, methadone mixture, meth, opium, palfium, pethidine, physeptone, temgesic
Overview	Methadone is a manmade opiate, derived from the opium poppy. It is prescribed by doctors to help people come off heroin. Methadone doesn't deliver the same degree of buzz or high as heroin, but allows people to tackle their psychological addiction and stabilise their lifestyle by stopping withdrawal symptoms. Prescription methadone is usually a syrup which is swallowed. Other manmade opiates come in injectable form. Opiates are highly addictive (see heroin [link to heroin]). When used to come off heroin there are still problems with withdrawal but these are much less severe than the 'cold turkey' that accompanies heroin withdrawal.
Effects	These start quickly and can last several hours but this varies with how much is taken and how the drug is taken. Opiates slow down body functioning and stop physical and psychological pain and anxiety. This creates a feeling of warmth, relaxation and detachment. The pupils of the eye will shrink and the user may become constipated. Some people are sick the first time they take drugs like methadone.
Risks	People taking opiates for the first time can be sick, but these reactions fade with use. With high doses the sedation takes over and users feel sleepy. Too much and you can fall into a stupor or coma. People have died from respiratory failure after taking opiates like methadone. Individual doses vary from person to person. If you do lose consciousness and vomit you may well choke.
Legal status	Morphine, opium, methadone, pethadine and diconal are Class A drugs. Codeine and dihyrocodeine (DF118) are Class B. Temgesic and distalgesic are Class C.

Drug	PMA
Other names	chicken yellow, chicken fever, double stacked, killer, mitsubishi turbo, para-methoxyampethamine, paramethoxymethyamphetamine, PMMA, red mitsubishi
Overview	PMA looks like and is being sold as ecstasy. The effects are very similar to E but PMA is much stronger and can cause a fatal rise in body temperature. PMA comes as a beige, pink or yellowish pressed tablet. These are often marked with the Mitsubishi logo, underscored, 7mm in diameter and 6mm thick. They weigh about 230mg. Because they are much thicker than ecstasy tablets, they've been nicknamed 'double stacked'. It's not addictive but it is possible to build up a tolerance which means people take more and more to get the same buzz.
Effects	The effects of PMA take longer to kick in than ecstasy, but are similar.
Risks	Some users have taken a fatal overdose by mistakenly taking pill after pill thinking nothing is happening. Even a quarter of a tablet can significantly increase blood pressure, body temperature and pulse rates. PMA is stronger than ecstasy so the risk of overheating and dehydration is greater. PMA can cause muscle spasms and lots of people feel sick after taking it. The long-term risks associated with PMA have yet to be studied but they're likely to be similar to ecstasy. Drinking too much with PMA can be dangerous or even fatal as the drug can cause the body to release a hormone which prevents the production of urine. Anyone using too much can get paranoid and depressed. Some long-term users report getting colds, flu and sore throats more often. Anyone with a heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a very dangerous reaction to the drug.
Legal status	Class A = illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying someone else with it can get you life and an unlimited fine.

Drug	poppers
Other names	amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite, kix, liquid gold, ram, rock hard, thrust, TNT
Overview	Poppers are small bottles filled with liquid chemicals called alkyl nitrites. Nitrites like Amyl Nitrite dilate the blood vessels and allow more blood to get to the heart. Poppers are sold in sex shops, clubs and gay bars. Nitrites originally came as small glass capsules that were popped open, hence the name. Nowadays they're available in small bottles. Effects are felt after one big sniff and fade after a couple of minutes. Poppers aren't physically or psychologically addictive.
Effects	An initial head rush that lasts a couple of minutes. Sniffing poppers during sex can make sexual organs feel bigger and orgasms last longer. It may help relax anal sphincter muscles. The effects don't last long and can leave people feeling sick, faint and weak. Some people say they have trouble getting an erection after sniffing poppers. Poppers can give you a severe headache, or a rash around your mouth.
Risks	Poppers are toxic and can kill you if you swallow them. Taking poppers is a dangerous idea for anyone with chest or heart problems, anaemia or glaucoma. It's very dangerous to take poppers with viagra or if you're on medication to reduce your blood pressure as it can cause it to drop so low it is dangerous. They burn your skin and are highly flammable.
Legal status	Amyl Nitrite is very rarely used in medicine these days but is controlled under the Medicines Act. Possession is not illegal but supply can be an offence. There have been cases where the Medicines Act was used to fine shops for selling them, but they're still sold as room aromas or deodorisers in sex shops and some clubs.

Drug	speed
Other names	amphetamine sulphate, base amphetamine, billy, base ice, crystal, dexamphetamine, dexies, dexedrine, meth, methamphetamine, paste, phet, sulph, whizz, yaba
Overview	Speed is the street name for amphetamine. Like cocaine it's a stimulant that people take to keep them awake and alert. The powder is off-white or pinkish and can sometimes look like small crystals. Base speed is purer and is a pinkish-grey colour and feels like putty. Crystal meth, or methamphetamine, is processed speed that looks like off-white rocks or crystals. Speed is either dabbed onto the gums or sniffed in lines like cocaine. Sometimes it's rolled up in cigarette paper and swallowed (a 'speedbomb'). It can be mixed in drinks, or injected. Often it is taken with E. You can get addicted to speed, and over time are likely to need bigger doses to get the same effect.
Effects	The effects kick in after about half an hour if ingested but much quicker if injected. They can last for up to six hours, depending on the quality of the speed. Speed makes people feel wide awake, excited and chatty. It suppresses appetite and can cause hallucinations if a lot is sniffed in a short space of time. The high is followed by a long slow comedown which can make users feel irritable and depressed and can last for one or two days.
Risks	Some users have died from overdose. Speed puts a strain on your heart. Taking speed with anti-depressants or alcohol can be fatal. Taking a lot of speed can give your immune system a battering. You could get more colds, flu and sore throats if you use it a lot. Speed can lead to anxiety, depression, irritability and aggression as well as mental illness such as psychosis and paranoid feelings. Too much sniffing speed can damage your nose. Injecting any drug can cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene. Sharing needles carries health risks.
Legal status	Class B = illegal to have, give away or sell. If prepared for injection, speed becomes a Class A and can get you tougher sentencing if you're caught with it or selling it. Possession can get you up to five years in jail and an unlimited fine. Supplying someone else with it can get you up to 14 years and an unlimited fine.

Drug	tobacco
Other names	ciggies, fags, rollies, smokes
Overview	Tobacco comes from the leaves of the tobacco plant. It contains a drug called nicotine which is highly addictive. It's nicotine that gives smokers their 'hit'. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. Smokers can get hooked very quickly and it can take years and a huge effort to kick the habit. Not many people are able to remain occasional smokers.
Effects	Smoking any drug gets it to the brain quickly. When a smoker inhales, the nicotine reaches the brain in around 8 seconds. Regular smokers say it helps them relax, feel less hungry and feel better. Nicotine speeds up the heart rate and increases blood pressure. First time smokers often feel sick and dizzy.
Risks	Smokers are more likely to get coughs and chest infections. Long-term addiction could leave you with cancer, emphysema or heart disease. Smoking has been linked to the amputation of 2000 limbs a year. It's estimated smoking contributes to 111,000 premature deaths in the UK every year. Other people breathing in your smoke could end up with breathing difficulties, asthma or even cancer. Tobacco contains over 400 chemicals, many of which are known to be harmful.
Legal status	It's illegal for shopkeepers to sell tobacco or tobacco products to anyone under 16

Drug	tranquilisers
Other names	benzos, downers, eggs, jellies, mazzies, moggies, norries, roofies, rugby balls, tems, temazzies, vallies
Overview	Tranquillisers are manmade prescription drugs, produced to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia. There are hundreds of different tranquillisers around but most common are the benzodiazepines, or 'benzos'. These come in over 50 different forms such as tablets, capsules, injections or suppositories. Another common form is temazepam. Some people use them to come down off acid, speed or ecstasy. All tranquilisers can cause psychological and physical addiction and because tolerance increases over time, users have to keep increasing their dose to get the same hit. Benzos in particular are highly addictive.
Effects	Tranquillisers have a sedative effect. They work by depressing the nervous system and slowing the body down. They relieve tension and anxiety and make the user feel calm and relaxed. Big doses can make a user sleepy and forgetful and can send them to sleep.
Risks	Tranquillisers are a depressant and if they're taken with other depressive drugs like alcohol it can lead to accidental overdose. Some have been shown to cause short-term memory loss. Injecting crushed tablets or melted down gel capsules is extremely dangerous and sometimes fatal, leading to collapsed or blocked veins. Withdrawal can cause unpleasant symptoms like a pounding headache, nausea, anxiety and confusion. There's been a big increase in sex crime involving tranquillisers like rohypnol.
Legal status	Tranquillisers can only be prescribed by a pharmacist. They are controlled under Class C of the misuse of drugs act. It's not illegal to possess benzodiapines without prescription. But it is illegal to possess temazepam which could result in a 2 year prison sentence and an unlimited fine.

Drug	yaba (see Methamphetamine page)
Other names	crazy medicine, ice
Overview	Yaba is derived from synthetic amphetamines such as speed but can be manufactured far more quickly and easily. Its ingredients include salt, household cleaning products and lithium from camera batteries. It comes in tablet form - usually red or orange but sometimes green. Yaba is still relatively rare in Britain, but experts reckon it's only a matter of time before it becomes a drug of choice for clubbers as it produces intense visuals and highs. It's sometimes passed off as ecstasy in clubs. It is addictive and habit forming.
Effects	Yaba gives the user powerful hallucinations. It can keep users awake for many days.
Risks	Regular use is linked to lung and kidney disorders. It can give you disturbing hallucinations and make you paranoid. One of the nastier and most common hallucinations is for users to think 'speed bugs' are crawling under their skin. They then frantically try to get them out. Coming off the drug can lead to severe depression and suicidal urges.
Legal status	Class B = illegal to have, give away or sell. If prepared for injection, speed becomes a Class A and can get you tougher sentencing if you're caught with it or selling it. Possession can get you up to five years in jail and an unlimited fine. Supplying someone else with it can get you up to 14 years and an unlimited fine..

Source: http://www.adfam.org.uk (ADFAM)

Last updated: 27 August 2004