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168 WIDER W ORLD

Types of drug SEE ALSO
‹
‹ 18–19 Thinking independently
94–95 Anxiety and depression
There are many different types of drug, as well as many street ‹ 166–167 Drug use and abuse
names associated with each of them. All drug use carries risks, Peer pressure 192–193 ›
and teens should be aware of the effects and risks before making
a decision about whether or not to take drugs.

Categories
Some drugs have hallucinogenic effects, which means that
they cause people to see things that are not real, while others
affect a person’s mood and behaviour. Other types of drugs
have a depressant effect, which means they slow down the
body and its functions. Stimulants are drugs that have the
opposite effect – they speed up the body, giving the user
more energy and alertness. Certain drugs combine some or
all of these characteristics.

Drug Form Use Effects Risks

Anabolic steroids Liquid, tablet Swallowed The effects of this stimulant Risks include acne, hair loss,
include increased muscle interrupted physical development,
mass, and the ability to high blood pressure, risk of heart
complete more strenuous attack, stroke, liver failure, menstrual
exercise sessions and to problems, mood swings, paranoia,
recover more quickly. and violent behaviour.
Cannabis Dried herbs, or Drunk, eaten, Cannabis can act as a Users may experience anxiety,
soft brown smoked depressant and stimulant, as paranoia, poor concentration,
lumps well as a hallucinogen. It can and mental health problems.
cause relaxation, giggliness,
and talkativeness, and affects
a person’s sense of time.
Cocaine/Crack White powder Snorted up the This highly addictive Risks include breathing problems,
(cocaine), lumps nose, injected, stimulant leads users to chest pains, heart failure, mental
or "rocks" (crack) smoked feel alert, confident, health problems, overdose,
and often aggressive. seizures, and infections as a
result of injecting.

Crystal meth Crystals, pills, Injected, Crystal meth is very Using crystal meth can lead to
powder smoked, addictive. This stimulant infections as a result of injecting.
snorted, induces feelings of elation Brain damage is possible. People can
swallowed and alertness. overdose, leading to organ damage,
unconsciousness, or death.
Heroin Brownish Injected, This highly addictive Users are at risk of dizziness,
powder, smoked depressant can cause users vomiting, infections as a result of
white powder to experience feelings of injecting, overdose, coma, or death.
well-being and relaxation.

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