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EFFECTS OF HEROIN, MARIJUANA, ECSTACY, ALCOHOL,
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE START OF THIS SERIES ON DRUGS
SIGNS TO LOOK FOR IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR KIDS ARE ON DRUGS
With the more common drugs, there is not much of a problem in detecting; the stench of alcohol and tobacco around the house soon "lets the cat out of the bag" and you can help your children before they get too deeply entrenched and addicted. With some of the other drugs, it is not so easy. Let us look at the illegal drugs , beginning with :-
MARIJUANA (Cannabis) , the most commonly used illegal drug here in South Australia. This drug, which also goes under the common names of - dope, grass, mull, green hash, ganja, blow and weed, is rather enigmatic, producing different effects on different people. Also, its effects may vary for the same user in different situations. Its main, destructive action, is on the nervous system and these effects may last for 2 to 3 hours or even longer if eaten, resulting in a serious hangover, drowsiness and weakened concentration making it as risky to consume Marijuana as to drink alcohol . Many young people are deceived into believing that the "recreational" use of Marijuana is quite harmless, however, smoking or eating this drug, which is a depressant, decreases alertness, making it dangerous to drive a vehicle or operate machinery where others may be placed at risk of accidents when under the influence.
You may observe that your child manifests an unusual sense of self-confidence and feel relaxed with altered perceptions of time and space. On the other hand, he / she may be confused in mind, behaving with anxiety and even in a state of real panic. More at risk are those who have a history of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. Keep a look out for any persistent bouts of coughing because this drug , when smoked regularly, can cause respiratory problems leading to chronic bronchitis and, as with tobacco, cancer of the lung, mouth and throat. What many people do not know is that Marijuana is more lethal than tobacco, with more tar content than its equivalent weight of strong tobacco. Further to that, Marijuana smoke contains higher proportions of cancer-producing chemicals than does cigarette smoke. Consumers of Marijuana may also experience some memory loss and those who consume the drug during pregnancy, place their unborn children at risk. Watch out especially for the following behaviour in your children - sensations of relaxation, euphoria, a feeling of happiness, accompanied by excessive talkativeness and the urge to laugh. When the drug is consumed in large does, it may result in serious depression and paranoia.
AMPHETAMINES :- These drugs, going under names of Speed, Uppers and Whizz are often used by those, such as truck drivers, rock-music entertainers etc, who need to keep awake for long period of time. The drug may be taken in powder form, mixed in a drink, or in tablet form . It can also be injected and "snorted". Your children need to be aware of the fact that those who "prepare drinks" at parties, can easily dope / spice their "friend's" drinks . These drugs have a strong stimulating effect upon the nervous system, keeping their victims excited, awake and over-alert. Increased breathing and heart-rate gives the user a real "high", with a feeling of great energy reserve , along with a false feeling of self-confidence. After this euphoric excitement wears off, some users experience decreased appetite, leading to loss of body weight. Observe if your children manifest some of the negative effects of these drugs - tantrums, mood changes, irritability and restlessness. Long-term addiction to these drugs is not difficult to detect because, along with insomnia, paranoia and mental confusion, your children may manifest very poor health through loss of sleep and food. Those who consume the drugs by means of injection risk contracting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C, along with other infections transmitted through non-sterilised needles and syringes. One of the main characteristics of these drugs is the suddenness of their effects which could be as soon as an hour (or even less) after consumption and these effects could last for up to twelve hours or more. The bizarre hallucinations may include seeing strange scenes with distorted colours and considerable confusion in senses of time, space, sound and colour. Tragically, these drugs may affect brain functions permanently with "flashbacks" occurring even years later.
ECSTACY:- This drug, being seen in increasing frequency here in Australia, goes under the common names of - E, eccies, love drug, XTC, doves - and comes in fancy coloured tablets or capsules - white, brown, red, yellow or pink. As with Amphetamines, their effect can begin within minutes - approx 30 minutes - and last for about six hours. It is becoming popular to take this drug at parties / disco dances / night clubs and is very dangerous because of the risk of dehydration and heat-stroke following long sessions of excited dancing when there has been insufficient fluid intake. Parents, it is very important that your children know of these dangers if they frequent such drug-related parties.
HEROIN:- This is a most addictive substance, derived from morphine or codeine. Its effects can be most insidious - a feeling of euphoria, followed by a false sense of relaxation. However, the price its users pay to gain such "peace of mind" is very costly - nausea, dulled responses, vomiting, poor coordination. Regular usage can develop a real tolerance of the drug, with a dependence that demands more and more consumption. So intense may be the need for regular intake of the drug that the user will go to any length to get his / her dose. This could even lead to stealing to find the money to maintain the habit and the taking of the lives of others, if necessary, to find cash to pay the drug providers. Long-term consumers may also suffer constipation , loss of sexual drive and take on the appearance of those we call "junkies" -- dirty, unshaven and with no sense of self-esteem. Overdoses, particularly of impure varieties, can lead to coma and death.
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