Stimulants and Depressants

Your first experience with somebody that has a drug problem will probably be with someone using one of three drugs. Two are depressants and one is a stimulant.

Depressant: The central nervous system slows down.

Two depressants are: Alcohol & Marijuana.

Stimulant: The central nervous system speeds up.

Cocaine (crack - synthetic cocaine called methamphetamines)

1. Alcohol: Most abused drug in the world. We pretty much know what the signs and symptoms are because we've seen it. Some of us have seen in the mirror.
   
   Symptoms: Blood shot eyes, slurred speech, blurred vision, stumbling/loss of balance and alcohol breath, pupils constricted.
    

2. Marijuana:
   
   Symptoms: Pupils constricted, reddening of the eyes, mellow (someone yells the building is on fire! Cool man! Increased appetite (munches).
   
   Some people say that marijuana is no worse than Alcohol! Here are the facts.
   
   A. It is 600 times more powerful than just 10 years ago. How do we that?
       When the authorities capture a stash of pot, they send it to the laboratory
       where it is tested.
   
   B. Genetically changes the structure of an unborn child.
   
   C. Destroys sex hormones.
   
   D. Causes lung cancer. (A joint burns 20 times hotter than a match. Smoking
       one joint is like smoking 2 packs of cigarettes.)
   
   E. Memory suffers. (Tell someone a joke and they get it 10 minutes later.)
   
   "And this is the drug they want to legalize!"
    

3. Cocaine: (stimulant)
   
   Symptoms: Pupils dilated, loss of appetite, increased thirst, talks excitedly, behavior changes, feels great.

What To Look For:

Marijuana

A. Greenish-brown dried plant material in plastic bags or small containers.

B. Paraphernalia - rolling papers, pipes, water pipes, roach clips.

C. Small dark seeds, stems, small roaches in ashtrays and pocket lining, hand-rolled cigarettes.

D. Excessive reddening of the eyes.

E. Hunger binges.

F. Odor like burnt rope on clothing.

G. Small holes or burns on clothing.

Inhalants

A. Empty glue or spray cans.

B. Bags or rages with dry paint, glue, etc., in or on them.

C. Dried paint or glue on cloths.

D. Running nose or red eyes.

E. Unpleasant chemical breath.

F. Increased coughing and salivation.

Stimulants

A. Users become talkative, restless, excited.

B. Stimulants may cause user to perspire excessively.

C. Watch for various shapes and colors of tablets or capsules.

D. Hypodermic needles, Cotton balls, spoons. (Can mean heavy abuse.)

E. Small packets of a white powdered substance.

F. Mirrors, tightly rolled dollar bills, single edge razor blades. ( May indicate cocaine use.)

G. Loss of appetite.

H. Sleeplessness.

Depressants

A. User may seem drunk, with no odor of alcohol.

B. Slurred speech, staggering, slow

C. Strong body odor.

D. Watch for pills or capsules.

E. Inappropriate, extreme sleepiness.

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