Streetworks recognizes that not all drugs are harmful despite how they may be portrayed in the media. As Andrew Weil has written in his book From Chocolate to Morphine, people either develop good or bad relationships with drugs. Bad relationships lead to addictions that may be harmful to one’s health and good relationships are that of experimentation and recreational use of drugs, which is not harmful.

CANNABIS

Also known as: MARIJUANA, HASH, MARYJANE, POT, WEED, HOOCH, SKUNK, TOKE, BLAST, BLUNT, GANGA and HERB.

Physical characteristics: black oil, pills (THC), brownish-black chunks, dried basil like appearance.

How is it taken?

• Smoked
• Eaten

Side Effects: increased heart rate, dryness of mouth, reddening of eyes, impaired driving skills, and concentration, increased hunger. Extended use increased risk of lungs and reproductive system. It also effects the suppression of the immune system.

COCAINE

Also known as: COKE, BLOW, CRACK, SNOW, SKIING, UP, WHITE, HARD, WACKY DUST, BASE and SOFT.

Physical characteristics: powder, hard crystalline or liquid.

Effects of Cocaine: Immediate exhilaration, increased alertness, wakefulness, mild to high degree of euphoria, increased athletic performance, decreases fatigue, clearer thinking, increased concentration, energy, irritability, and insomnia.

How is it taken?

• Smoked
• Snorted
• Injected

B.   Side effects: Higher doses create feelings of paranoia, confusion, disorganization, and an increase in irritability and aggression, Nausea, vomiting. Increased body temperature, and heart rate are common side effects.

DILAUDID

Also known as: dillies

Physical characteristics: pill, capsules and liquid.

How is it taken?

• Fixed
• Eaten
• Muscled

Side Effects: Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, anorexia, hallucinations, skin rash, increased sweating, agitation.

ECSTASY

Also known as E, X, EVA, LOVE DRUG, DANCE DRUG, ADAM, HUG DRUG, ECKIES and E’S.

Physical Characteristics: pill form or white solid crystalline

How is it taken?

• Injected
• Snorted
• Orally
• Hooped
• Mixed with water and sprayed in eyes or on skin.

Side Effects: Ecstasy is a feel good drug. It gives you positive feelings, and it eliminates anxiety and makes you feel extremely relaxed. It also suppresses the need to eat drink or sleep

Health risks: MDMA overdose is characterized by rapid heart beat, or high blood pressure, faintness, muscle cramps, panic attacks, and in more severe cases, unconsciousness or seizures.

GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate)

Also known as G, GROSS BODILY HARM, EASY LAY, CHERRY METH AND EVERCLEAR

Physical Characteristics: clear liquid

How is it taken?

• In liquid form taken orally

Side Effects: GHB can cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, amnesia, visual hallucinations, reduced blood pressure, and decreased heart rate. Convulsions, severe respiratory depression, coma or death. Most individuals regain consciousness within 2-4 hours.

HEROIN

Also known as H, SHIT, HORSE, SMACK, JUNK and DOWN.

Physical Characteristics: white powder or reddish-brown powder

How is taken?

• Fix it
• Smoked
• Snorted
• Muscled

Side effects: First time users usually experience greater than usual dizziness and vomiting. Skin can feel extremely itchy.

Health risks: The majority of the health risks involved with heroin are primarily due to the fact that it is illegal. The danger of what it is mixed with. What heroin is mixed with is what makes it dangerous.

INHALANTS

Also known as SNAPPERS, POPPERS and LAUGHING GAS.

It is found in paint, solvents, aerosols, model glue, nail polish and gas.

Physical Characteristics: liquid

How is it taken?

• Poured on a rag and inhaled
• Poured in a bag and inhaled

Side Effects: Memory Loss, faster heart rate.

LSD

Also know as ACID, CID, BLOTTER and PAPER.

Physical Characteristics:

How is it taken?

• Eaten

Side Effects: Flash backs, can occur between a few days and a few weeks after consumptions, flash backs are an intense feeling. These flashbacks are rarely frightening or fearsome, and they usually pass quickly. More immediate side effects are random laughter, conversations with inanimate objects such as tables and extraordinary silliness.

Health risks: LSD has different effects on different people. The main factor would be on their current mood and environment. For example, if you are feeling anxious, depressed or suffer from mental health problems, LSD will be an extremely unpleasant experience and once it’s taken, will last up to 12 hours.

METHAMPHETAMINES

Also known as Speed, Crank, Ice, Grit, Quick and Crystal Meth.

Physical Characteristics: Pills, Gel caps and Ice like chunks.

How is it taken? Swallowed, injected inhaled, smoked

Side Effects: Irritability, insomnia, nervousness, nausea, hot flashes, dryness of mouth, sweating, palpitations, and hypertensions. Can produce, mental confusion, severe anxiety, and paranoia. Continued moderate to chronic use may lead to physical dependence or even death