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By Carrernav and The Australian Drug Foundation

DRUGS

There are a number of drugs, both legal and illegal, available in Australia. Depending on your social circle you may never encounter drugs in your daily life, or you may come across a number of them.. Each has its own form, effects, and consequences, which are listed below. The information has been influenced and reviewed by the Australian Drug Foundation.

Here are some facts about drugs, taken from the Victorian drug statistics handbook 2007, and the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2007.

• 15% of Victorian deaths in 2005 were drug-related. That’s 4,952 deaths due to tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs
• 14.6% of Australians were victims of an illicit drug-related incident: verbal abuse, physical abuse or put in fear (2007)
• 45,077 hospitalisations in Victoria were due to tobacco (2005-06). It accounted for the majority (58%) of all drug-related hospitalisations
• 7,568 hospitalisations in Victoria were due to illicit drugs (2005-06), accounting for 10% of all drug-related hospitalisations
• There were 863 cases of stimulant-related ambulance attendances in Victoria (2006). 80% of the victims had to be transported to hospital
• 92% of the 2656 victims of non-fatal benzodiazepine overdose ambulance attendances in Melbourne (2006) were transported to hospital
• Ambulances attended 486 non-fatal heroin overdoses in Melbourne (2006) and 26% of victims were transported to hospital
• In 2005-06 there were 130 opioid overdose hospitalisations
• 37 heroin-related deaths occurred in Victoria in 2006. 92% were male 
• 1% of 16-24 year olds reported using heroin in their lifetime

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are known as minor tranquilisers, and are prescribed by doctors in order to relieve stress and anxiety, and to help people sleep. Benzodiazepines are depressants, usually come in tablet or capsule form, and work by slowing down the central nervous system. This can cause relaxation, calmness, and relief: however they do not solve the problem behind the anxiety, and can have unwanted side effects.
 
Benzodiazepines have been used illegally for intoxication. They may be taken in the place of heroin or alongside heroin to increase the effects. They can also be used to help people come down from a high, and to aid sleeping.

Side effects of benzodiazepines vary, and can include: impairment of thought processes, memory and coordination; confusion; slurred speech; tiredness; vertigo; blurred or double vision; mood swings; dry mouth; nausea and vomiting; loss of appetite; and feelings of euphoria or depression.

Overdoses of benzodiazepines can be harmful, and may cause unconsciousness or a coma. Death rarely occurs on an overdose of benzodiazepines alone, however injecting it into the bloodstream can cause serious health problems, such as damaged organs, amputation due to poor circulation, strokes, and even death.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine, also known as ‘bup’ or ‘B’, is used for the treatment of heroin addiction. It is prescribed by doctors under the name Subutex, and can be effective in reducing the desire to use heroin, helping people withdraw from heroin and methadone, and also to treat acute pain.

Doses of buprenorphine are taken by placing a Subutex tablet under the tongue and waiting for it to dissolve. Chewing and swallowing are ineffective, and injecting is dangerous. Side effects aren’t overly common, and disappear early on.

Withdrawal from buprenorphine can cause symptoms like those suffered from heroin withdrawal, however they are generally milder. These symptoms include headaches, sweating, aches and pains, cold or flu-like symptoms, trouble sleeping, nausea, mood swings, and a loss of appetite.

Buprenorphine can only be prescribed by a doctor with a permit from the Department of Human Services. It is roughly $5.00 per dose.

Cannabis

Cannabis is a depressant drug. It affects the central nervous system by slowing down the messages going between the brain and the body. Cannabis has many street names including grass, pot, weed, joint, dope, and hash. It comes in three main forms: marijuana, hashish, and hash oil.

The effects of cannabis use may include: relaxation, loss of inhibition, lack of coordination, increased appetite and affected perception, thinking and memory. Larger doses can cause hallucinations, restlessness, excitement, anxiety or panic, paranoia, and slowed reaction time. Other physical effects include reddened eyes, low blood pressure, and an increased heart rate.

THC is the chemical that makes people feel ‘high’ from cannabis. It is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to the brain, where it causes mood changes, alters the way things are perceived, and produces ‘high’ effects.

Long-term effects of cannabis use include respiratory illness, lack of motivation and brain function, reduced hormone production, and impairment of the immune system. Frequent cannabis use has also been linked to drug-induced psychosis, which can place users with a family history of mental illness at risk.
Cannabis can be used for medicinal purposes. It can relieve chemotherapy patients from side effects like nausea, vomiting, weight loss, pain, and epilepsy.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant, which speeds up the messages going between the brain and the body. A common form is cocaine hydrochloride: a crystalline white powder which can be further processed to produce freebase (white powder) or crack (crystals). Cocaine is often diluted with substances like lactose or glucose before being sold. It’s referred to by many names including coke, snow, blow, nose candy, C, and stardust.

Cocaine hydrochloride is generally snorted through the nose; however it can also be injected, added to food or drink, rubbed into gums, or smoked.

The effects of cocaine are great and varied. Users may experience exhilaration, sensations of physical strength and mental capacity, increased sexual arousal, indifference to pain, anxiety, raised body temperature and heart rate, paranoia, violent or aggressive behaviour, headaches, increased breathing rate, amongst other things. It is common for cocaine to cause an initial rush, but then to cause the user a consequent crash once these effects have subsided.

Long-term effects can include depression, hallucinations, eating disorders, cerebral atrophy, paranoia and psychosis, sexual dysfunction, and sensitivity to light and sound. Other long-term effects depend on the method of taking cocaine. Snorting can damage the lining of the nose and nasal passages. Smoking can cause respiratory problems. If injected, cocaine can cause collapsed veins, and damage to the heart, liver and brain.

The strength and mix of street cocaine is generally unknown, which increases the risk of overdose. This can cause a seizure, heart attack, brain hemorrhage, kidney failure, stroke, convulsions, and can lead to coma and death.

Regular cocaine users can develop a tolerance to the euphoric effects, and consequently need to take higher and higher doses to get the desired effect. This increases the chances of overdosing. Withdrawal symptoms of cocaine can be difficult to manage, although there are support services available.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy is a term for drugs that share a similar structure to MDMA (3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine). It has effects similar to amphetamines (like speed, which increases the activity in the nervous system) and hallucinogens (like LSD, which alters perceptions and can induce hallucinations). Ecstasy is manufactured in illegal laboratories, and so it is difficult to know the drug’s strength and hygiene, which can lead to overdosing or poisoning.

Also known as E, eccy, the love drug, or XTC, ecstasy is commonly taken as a tablet which can have various forms. It can also be crushed and snorted, or injected. Ecstasy is known as a ‘party drug’, and so its effects often include prolonged or intense dancing, as well as confidence, a feeling of closeness to other people (inspiring the term ‘love drug’), a sense of well being, anxiety, dilated pupils, sweating, and heightened heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure. The effects of ecstasy can be dangerous for people with health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, liver problems, epilepsy, mental illness, or hypertension.     

Increasing the dosage of ecstasy does not seem to increase the desirable effects, and instead may cause vomiting, convulsions, hallucinations, strange or unpredictable behaviour, or floating sensations. It’s uncommon for ecstasy to be used over a long period of time, as the unwanted effects increase the longer the drug is used, while the desirable effects decrease.

Overdosing is possible with ecstasy, and can cause effects such as high temperature, elevated heart rate, hallucinations, and in worst case scenarios, heart attack, brain hemorrhage, blood clotting, and kidney failure.

GHB

GHB (Gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a depressant drug. GHB is also known as fantasy, liquid ecstasy, grievous bodily harm (GBH), salty water, soap, cherry meth, blue nitro. It commonly comes in the form of a colourless, odourless, salty-tasting liquid, sold in small bottles, although it also comes as a vibrant blue liquid, or as a crystal powder.

GHB is usually swallowed, and taken to increase relaxation, sociability, and decrease inhibition. Since it is somewhat undetectable in appearance, people can use it to spike a drink and cause sleepiness and short-term memory loss. Victims of GHB spiking are often unable to resist or remember a sexual assault.

A danger of GHB is its tendency for a small increased dosage to dramatically increase its effects. There is therefore a minimal difference between producing a desired effect, and an overdose. There is also no way to tell if the drug has been correctly manufactured.

Effects include euphoria, heightened libido, decreased inhibitions, drowsiness, sleep, memory lapses, dizziness, tremors, diarrhea, urinary incontinence and lowered temperature, pulse and blood pressure. Overdosing on GHB can cause dizziness, vomiting, tunnel vision, confusion, blackouts, seizures, respiratory arrest, loss of coordination, and even death. Signs of overdose to watch out for include sleep from which the user cannot be woken, incoherent speech, sweating, vomiting, shallow breathing, inability to stand, and muscle contractions.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogenic drugs affect the senses, changing the way a person thinks, their sense of time, and their emotions. These drugs are often known as psychedelics, as they can cause users to hallucinate. The different types of hallucinogens include: LSD, magic mushrooms, morning glory seeds, datura, mescaline, PCP, ketamine, and in high doses ecstasy and cannabis.

LSD, in its pure state, is a white, odourless powder. It can also come in liquid form, or in tablets and capsules. Street names for this hallucinogenic drug include acid, trips, microdots, and dots.
 
PCP is a dissociative anesthetic. It can also be called angel dust and peace pill. PCP generally comes in pills, capsules or powders. Magic mushrooms, also referred to as shrooms, mushies, magics, golden tops, and liberty caps. Magic mushrooms can look similar to dried mushrooms, or can come in powdered form.

Ketamine hydrochloride is a dissociative anesthetic, also known as horse tranquiliser, special K, K, kitkat, and super K. It can come in tablets or pills, or a white powder that is dissolved in liquid.

Mescaline comes naturally from the peyote cactus, but can also be produced synthetically. It can come in powder forms of various colours, whereas dried, ground peyote buttons usually come in capsules. 

The effects of hallucinogens are varied, and can include euphoria, hallucinations, blurred vision, disorganised thoughts, lack of coordination, a sense of relaxation and well being, heightened heart rate, breathing and blood pressure, agitation and paranoia, and dizziness. 

The effects of hallucinogens can also induce what is called a bad trip. This can make the user experience strong sensations of paranoia, panic and fear, sensations such as insects crawling on their skin, and the feeling of being out of control. 

Overdosing on hallucinogens can heighten negative effects, although death is very rare. If death does occur, it is due to actions induced by the drug, such as dangerous behaviour, suicide, or accidents. The most common long-term effect of hallucinogen is flashbacks. Some users may see colours or experience hallucinations days, months, and even years after using a hallucinogen.

Heroin

Heroin comes from the opioid group of drugs. It is a depressant, and therefore slows down the central nervous system. Heroin is also known as smack, dope, H, junk, horse, black tar, china white, and poison.

In appearance, heroin can be a fine white powder, off-white granules, or pieces of a brown rock-like substance. Heroin is commonly injected into a vein, although it can also be smoked or snorted.    

The effects of heroin are broad and varied. These can include intense pleasure and an acute feeling of well being, confusion, pain relief, lowered blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, suppressed cough reflex, drowsiness, loss of coordination, nausea and vomiting, and reduced sexual urges. In higher doses is can also limit concentration, cause shallow breathing, sweating, itching, nausea and vomiting, and make the user more prone to falling asleep. 

Overdosing on heroin can cause death. Too much of this drug causes breathing to slow, temperature to drop, and heart beat to become irregular. Aside from overdosing, a prominent problem with heroin use is skin, heart and lung infections, and diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. 

Ice

Ice is the street name for crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride. Other names include meth, d-meth, crystal, crystal meth, glass, and tina. It is a strong synthetic stimulant drug, which speeds up the messages going between the brain and the body. Ice is strong than other amphetamines, including the powder form of speed. Ice generally takes on the form of transparent crystals, often with a coloured tinge.

Ice can be taken in numerous ways, including swallowing, snorting, injecting or inserting anally.

The effects of ice include feelings of euphoria, excitement and well being, heightened alertness, confidence and libido, increased energy, the sensation of increased strength, restlessness, itching, picking and scratching, as well as tremors of the hands and fingers. Ice can also speed up heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and increase temperature. It may cause unexpected changes in thought and speech, nervousness, aggression, paranoia, panic attacks, and hallucinations.

The long-term use of ice can cause health issues, such as increased risk of heart-related complications, malnutrition, sleeping issues, depression and paranoia, brain damage, dental problems, and a decrease in immunity.

Inhalants (Solvents)

Inhalants, also known as solvents, are substances that produce vapours, which are inhaled to make a user intoxicated or feel a high. They are depressant drugs, and include domestic or industrial products such as glue, paint, petrol or gasoline, aerosol, and cleaning fluids, as well as aliphatic nitrates. Other names for inhalants are chroming, huff, glue, sniff and gas.

These vaporous drugs are usually taken either by inhaling through the mouth or nose, spraying into a bag, pouring into a bottle, or soaking a cloth, before inhaling. From the lungs inhalants are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.

The effects tend to be less inhibitions, laughter, excitement, confusion, delusions, drowsiness, nausea, nosebleeds, bloodshot eyes, and flu-like symptoms. Inhaling high quantities of these drugs can increase a user’s chance of experiencing disorientation, delusions, or lack of coordination. Overdoses can cause unconsciousness, convulsions or coma.

The long-term health issue effects of inhalants include pale appearance, anemia, irregular heart beat and damaged heart muscle, liver and kidney damage, loss of smell, taste, and hearing, thirstiness, weight loss and tremors. It can also affect memory and the ability to think clearly, as well as effect mood, making users feel angered, irritable, or depressed. 

Methadone

Methadone is an opioid drug, which is similar to the pain-relieving drug morphine. Methadone is a depressant, and so slows down the messages between the brain and the body. This drug is manufactured synthetically to treat people who are addicted to heroin, and is usually taken as a syrup and drunk with fruity drinks.

Methadone can be used either as part of a maintenance program to lower the risks of drug use, or as a withdrawal program, designed to lessen the discomfort of coming off heroin. Methadone as a treatment will help prevent heroin users relapsing into heroin use, as it reduces the power of withdrawal symptoms. It lasts longer than heroin, it’s cheaper, it removes cravings for heroin, and it requires a routine which encourages people to form a stable lifestyle. 

Methadone is prescribed to users by a doctor who is a registered methadone prescriber. Users also tend to have counseling to aid them in giving up heroin.

Side-effects of methadone vary, and can depend on whether the dose is too low, the drug has stopped being taken altogether (withdrawal symptoms), or regular side-effects from the drug itself. These can include runny rose, weakness, abdominal pains, tears, nausea, yawning, muscle spasms, mood changes, insomnia, other cold and flu-like symptoms, nausea, shallow breathing, palpitations, dizziness and reduced temperature, blood pressure and pulse.  

Extended use of methadone will not cause damage to major organs, or any other physical damage. It can be a serious health risk when taken by someone not in a methadone program, or misused, such as injected.

Tobacco 

Tobacco originates from the leaves of the tobacco plant. These leaves contain nicotine, which is a stimulant drug, and therefore increases the speed of messages passing between the brain and the body. Tobacco-based products include cigarettes, cigars, wet and dry snuff, pipe tobacco, and chewing tobacco.

There are three major chemicals in tobacco smoke: nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide. However, these chemicals make up three out of the 4000 chemicals in tobacco smoke. Some smokers use light or low tar cigarettes, but research shows that these smokers are at the same risk of getting diseases as regular cigarette smokers.

The effects of tobacco include mild euphoria, increased alertness and concentration, immediate stimulation, but consequent reduction in brain activity, heightened blood pressure and heart rate, relaxation, dizziness, nausea, lack of appetite, and decreased taste and smell.

Other effects of tobacco smoke are caused by the tar in cigarettes coating the lungs, and according to medical research lung and throat cancer. The carbon monoxide makes the body work harder, as it lessens oxygen levels in the muscles, brain and blood. Long-term effects of smoking can include narrowed airways, raised blood pressure, cancer, and heightened risk of heart disease.

Passive smoking, where a person does not actually smoke themselves, but inhales the exhaled smoke of others around them, can also contribute to health problems such as heart disease and lung cancer.

There are a few methods to quit smoking. People may choose nicotine replacement therapy, going cold turkey, counseling or other advice, alternative therapies like acupuncture and hypnosis, pharmacotherapies, and support groups.    

For more information on drugs and their effects, visit the Australian Drug Foundation website:

www.druginfo.adf.org.au

www.adf.org.au

www.somazone.com.au