THE SIX CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS OF ABUSE

1. GATEWAY DRUGS•Are legal drugs that a non-drug

user might try, which can lead him/her to more dangerous drugs such as marijuana and shabu.

•Teenagers who engage in early smoking & drinking have higher chance of using and experimenting with dangerous drugs of abuse.

2. DEPRESSANT DRUGS• Slows down a persons central nervous

system (brain, spinal cord, nerves).

• Doctors commonly prescribe depressants to help people who have anger management issues, stressed or tensed.

• Depressants relax muscles and nerves.

• These drugs make patients feel sleepy and light headed.

Examples are: alcohol, barbiturates & tranquilizers.

3. STIMULANT DRUGS•Speed up a persons central

nervous system.

•Has the opposite effect of depressants.

•Makes a person’s energy high

•Side effects are depression and tiredness.

Examples are amphetamines (shabu, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine)

4. NARCOTICS•Are drugs which relieve pain

and induce sleepiness.

•These are prescribed to patients with mental disorders or with patients dealing with severe pain like cancer.

•These drugs are illicit and dangerous if taken.

• Examples are cocaine, heroin and marijuana.

5. HALLUCINOGENS•Drugs which distort reality

and facts.

•Affects all senses; makes a user feel, hear, see things that don’t exist in the time being.

•Came from the word hallucinate (to perceive illusions)

• Examples are: Lysergic Acid diethylamide, psilocybin (obtained from mushrooms and mescaline

6. INHALANTS• Found in ordinary household

chemical products and anesthetics.

• Readily available and accessible to young children

• Inhalant toxins are similar to those of alcohol, the only difference is the foul smell.

• Abuse can lead to delusions, brain damage, liver damage, comatose and death.

• Examples are acetone, rugby (solvent), spray paints, cleaning fluids and air conditioner fluids (Freon).

6 CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS ARE:

1.Gateway Drugs

2.Depressant Drugs

3.Stimulant Drugs

4.Narcotics

5.Hallucinogens

6.Inhalants

GUIDE QUESTIONS 1. Why is it important to know the

classifications of drugs?

2. Do you think knowing the classification of drugs will help us someday in our lives?