Canada’s opioid crisis (fact sheet) – Canada.ca
Types of Drugs
What is a drug? Is any chemical that is swallowed, breathed in, or consumed in another way.
There are different drug types and each have its own set of effects and risks.
Stimulants – (or “uppers”) Impacts the body’s central nervous system. These drugs increase the user’s level of alertness, pumping up heart rate, blood pressure and breathing.
Examples of stimulants – Nicotine (present in tobacco), caffeine, cocaine, methamphetamine.
Risks of Stimulant abuse – When abused, stimulants can cause a variety of consequences.
Example – anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, high body temperature, depression, heart failure, stroke or seizure.
Depressants – Also effect central nervous system, but causing the opposite effect, making the user feel as if things are slowing down ie. “downers”
Examples of depressants – alcohol, marijuana, inhalants and prescription drugs.
Risks of Depressant abuse – Higher risk of high blood sugar, diabetes and weight gain, increased body temperature, sluggish thinking, low blood pressure, impaired memory, hallucinations.
Hallucinogens – Work by disrupting communication within the brain. Users have reported rapidly shifting emotions and perceptions of things that aren’t really there. Hallucinogens come in many forms, which can be smoked, eaten, ingested as pills and mixed into beverages.
Examples of hallucinogens – LSD, ecstasy, marijuana, peyote and salvia.
Risks of Hallucinogen abuse – Persisting Perception Disorder, also known as flashbacks, fear, paranoia, psychosis, anxiety, increased blood pressure, nausea.
Opioids – Powerful painkillers that produce a sense of euphoria. Often prescribed by Doctors to patients who are suffering from intense pain. They are extremely habit-forming, sometimes causing and addiction. They can be smoked, eaten,drank, injected or taken as pills.
Examples of opioids – Heroin, Morphine, Hydrocodone, Opium, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Percocet, Codeine.
Risks of Opioid abuse – Constipation, Liver damage, Brain impairment, euphoria, drowsiness, sedation, pupil dilation, cardiac arrest.
Signs of Possible Drug Use
- Drug paraphernalia (bongs, rolling papers etc.)
- Acts secretive and isn’t co-operative
- Changes in behaviour or personality
- Changes in appearance
- Dry mouth
- Depression
- Enlarged pupils
- Bloodshot eyes
Drug Paraphernalia
Is any item used to injest drugs by smoking, inhaling or injection.
Examples:
- Syringes
- Lighters/matches
- Aluminum foil
- Burnt and bent metal spoons
- Pipes and bongs
- Rolling paper/cut straws
- Food grinder