Hashish

Hashish (or hash) is an extract of marijuana formed into a gummy substance ranging in color from gold to brown to black, or it is formed into a thick, dark oil called hash oil. Because hashish contains a higher concentration of THC than marijuana, hash and hash oil are more potent and are sold and used in smaller quantities. Hash is most often packaged in aluminum foil, and hash oil is stored in small vials. As with marijuana, both hash and hash oil are smoked in pipes, but they may also be mixed with tobacco in cigarettes or pipes; thus, the paraphernalia associated with hash and hash oil is the same as for marijuana: pipes, bongs, rolling papers, roach clips, and stash boxes. Hash and hash oil also have a very strong, pungent odor when smoked. The effects of hash and hash oil are similar to marijuana, but can be more intense because of its higher concentration of THC.

Depressants

Depressants are often medically prescribed by doctors to treat anxiety, tension, insomnia, muscle spasms, and irritability. However, depressants are also abused for their intoxicating effects. They are obtained by theft, through illegal prescriptions, or they are purchased on the illicit market.

Drugs included in this classification are chloral hydrate, barbiturates, glutethimide, methaqualone (Quaaludesr), benzodiazepines, and antianxiety or sedative drugs such as Valium®, Miltown®, and Equanil®. Depressants are produced in pill or capsule form.

If your teenager is abusing depressants, he or she may appear to be in a state of intoxication much like that of alcohol, with impaired judment, inebriation, slurred speech, and loss of motor coordination. Other symptoms include a weak and rapid pulse, slow or rapid but shallow breathing, and cold and clammy skin.

As with narcotics, the body acquires a need for increased doses of depressants in order to achieve the same high. If your teenager is unaware of an increased dependency on depressants, he or she may increase their intake to dangerous, toxic levels in order to achieve the same intoxicating effects, Mixing depressants with alcohol is a particularly dangerous combination that can cause an overdose and death.

Withdrawal from depressants can be extreme, After 24 hours without the drug, symptoms such as anxiety and agitation may develop, Depending on the potency of the drug, withdrawal will peak between two to eight days, causing appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, increased heart rate, and excessive sweating, Some severe symptoms of withdrawal may be delirium, convulsions, and in some cases, death.

Be aware that you may have prescription depressants in your medicine cabinet, such as Librium®, Xanax®, Valium®, Dalmane®, and Doriden®, that have the potential to be abused by your child.

Barbiturates

Barbiturates were once among the most widely used depressants, prescribed by doctors to induce relaxation and sleep. Like other depressants, barbiturates are sold on the illicit market or are legally prescribed to addicts by physicians.

The three most abused barbiturates are Nembutalr, Seconalr, and Amytalr, which are capsules or pills that may be red, blue, yellow, or white. Their street names include downers, barbs, red devils, blue devils, and yellows. They are usually sold in plastic bags or pill bottles. Barbiturates are taken orally and their effects may last up to six hours.

The physical effects of barbiturates include intoxication much like that of alcohol, slurred speech, and disorientation. An overdose can cause dilated pupils, shallow breathing, clammy skin, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and death.

Crack

Crack and rock cocaine are forms of cocaine that are extremely addictire and very dangerous. (Crack and rock cocaine are nearly identical drugs, hence they will be referred to as crack only.) Crack has quickly become a major problem in this country because it is inexpensive, readily available, and highly addictive. Crack comes in white to tan pellets and is sold in small vials. It is smoked in glass pipes and makes a crackling sound when it is smoked. Paraphernalia associated with crack includes glass pipes called "base" pipes, homemade pipes, and small vials used to store the drug.

Crack is absorbed into the blood stream through the lungs in just a few seconds. If your teenager is using crack, he or she will temporarily appear euphoric, extremely alert, and highly energetic. Other symptoms include dilated pupils, loss of appetite, elevated heart rate, elevated respiration rate, and higher body temperature. The high lasts only a few minutes, leaving an intense depression called a "crash" and an immediate desire for more of the drug. The severe addiction associated with crack stems not only from a desire for the euphoria of the high but a desire to escape from the "crash" following the high. Prolonged use of crack can cause extreme irritability, depression, paranoia, convulsions or death.

Methamphetamine - Ice

Ice is the translucent crystal, smokable form of methamphetamine. It is also commonly called glass or crystal and, like other stimulants, is highly addictive. (In terms of molecular structure, ice and methamphetamine are the same). The use of ice results in a longer, more intense high and an enhanced and more rapid onset of the negative effects of other forms of methamphetamine.

Similar in appearance to rock candy or rock salt, ice is sold in clear, heat sealed cellophane packets. It is smoked by using a one-chamber pipe (bong) where the ice is heated until it turns to a gas, and then inhaled by the user.

If your teenager is using ice, he or she may experience increased alertness, euphoria, appetite loss, dilated pupils, elevated heart rate, increased respiration, and elevated body temperature. Prolonged use can cause blurred vision, dizziness, loss of coordination, collapse and toxic psychosis. Prolonged use of ice will also cause damage to other organs, particularly the lungs, liver and kidneys. Heavy short-term or prolonged use can also cause delusional states or even a toxic psychosis similar to paranoid schizophrenia. Acute depression and fatigue may result when the use of ice is stopped. An overdose can result in high blood pressure, fever, stroke, heart failure and death.

Some law enforcement and treatment professionals see ice as a growing problem because of its purity and its immediate and intense effect, which may, depending on the dose, last from 2-14 hours. In addition, its use may become popular because the smoking of ice eliminates the use of a needle, thereby reducing the risk of AIDS and other blood diseases; while the low cost of production results in large profits for the dealers who sell ice and the clan lab operators who produce it.

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamines and amphetamines are also highly addictive and dangerous stimulants. Commonly referred to as uppers and speed, these drugs are sold in powder, pill, and capsule forms that can be inhaled through the nose, swallowed, or injected.

Like cocaine and crack, the physical effects of methamphetamines and amphetamines are in creased alertness, euphoria, appetite loss, dilated pupils, elevated heart rate, increased respiration, and elevated body temperature. Prolonged use of these drugs can cause blurred vision, dizziness, loss of coordination, and collapse. An overdose can result in high blood pressure, fever, stroke, and heart failure.

The most popular of the two drugs are methamphetamines, commonly called speed, meth, crank, crystal, or crystal meth or in its smokable form, ice, glass or crystal. Methamphetamines are usually found in powder form in colors ranging from white to tan, and can be swallowed, inhaled through the nose, or injected. It is sold in small plastic or paper packets or plastic bags. The paraphernalia associated with inhaling the drug are razor blades, mirrors, straws, and rolled dollar bills; the paraphernalia associated with injecting the drug include syringes, spoons, and surgical tubing, bandanas, or a belt used to constrict the vein