Protecting Children in Substance-Abusing Families

Author(s): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Kropenske, V., Howard, J., Breitenbach, C., Dembo, R.

Year Published: 1994

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Table 6: Major Substances of Abuse

Drug	Paraphernalia	Observable Effects of Use
Alcohol	bottles and cans	impaired coordination, staggered walk, bloodshot eyes, flushing, slurred speech
Cocaine	small glass vials; foil, cellophane, or paper packets; triple beam scales SNORTING: mirrors, razor blades, straws INJECTING: syringes, needles, spoons, cotton, tourniquets SMOKING: small glass or pottery vials, glass pipes, handrolled cigarettes	increased alertness and energy, dilated pupils, rapid speech, tremors, sweating, runny or irritated nose, decreased appetite, weight loss, depression
Amphetamines Methamphetamine	SWALLOWING: pill bottles, plastic bags, paper packets SNORTING: plastic or paper packets, plastic bags, razor blades, mirrors, straws INJECTING: plastic or paper packets, plastic bags, syringes, spoons, tourniquets, needles	increased alertness, decreased appetite, weight loss, increased respiration and heart rate, dilated pupils, sweating, rash, insomnia, depression
Heroin	foil or cellophane packets, rubber or plastic balloons folded into balls INJECTING: needles, cotton, matches, spoons or bottle caps, tourniquets SNORTING: razor blades, straws, pipes	needle marks, slurred speech, slow gait, sleepy appearance, constricted pupils, decreased pulse and respiration rate
Sedatives	pill bottles, plastic bags	impaired judgment, staggered gait, drowsiness, slurred speech, dilated pupils, shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse
Phencyclidine (PCP)	tablets, pills, or gelatin capsules; dark-colored cigarettes, paper or cellophane packets, clear liquid in small glass vials	drowsiness, excitement, slurred speech, muscle rigidity, unusual eye movements, exaggerated gait, sweating
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)	small paper squares, vials, tablets or capsules in plastic bags	dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, anxiety, confusion, disoriented sense of direction, distance, and time
Mushrooms	dried mushrooms, brownish powder	dilated pupils, sweating, hyperventilation, tremors, rambling speech, hyperactivity, depression
Peyote	brown disc-shaped dried cactus "buttons," brownish powder	muscle tension, vomiting, dilated pupils, dizziness, chills, increased pulse, sweating, hallucinations
Mescaline	aspirin-like pills or capsules
Marijuana Hashish Hashish Oil	plastic bags, aluminum foil packets, "ZigZag" cigarette papers, handrolled cigarettes, wooden or clay pipes, waterfilled pipes, plastic bags, roach clips, decorative boxes, small vials	restlessness, relaxation, bloodshot eyes, increased appetite, impaired coordination
Inhalants	spray cans, glue containers, saturated cloths, ampules	dilated pupils, runny nose, watery eyes, impaired coordination, slurred speech, headache, weight loss

Drug Group	Drug	Street Names	Method of Use
Depressant	Alcohol	booze, liquor, juice, brew, beer, wine, product brand names	swallowed in liquid form
Stimulants	Cocaine	coke, blow, white, snow, snort, flake, nose candy, toot, white lady, cane	snorted or injected
	Cocaine	crack, rock	smoked
	Amphetamines	uppers, pep pills, bennies, dexies, black beauties	swallowed in capsule, tablet, or pill form
	Methamphetamine	speed, meth, moth, crank, water, crystal, crystal meth, ice, ice cream, batu, shabu	snorted, injected, or smoked
Narcotics	Heroin	smack, junk, horse, China white, Mexican brown, mud, black tar	injected, snorted, or smoked
Sedatives	Barbituates, Methaqualone, Choral hydrate, Glutethimide, Benzodiazepines	barbs, downers, yellow jackets, yellows, red devils, blue devils, ludes, supers	swallowed in capsules, tablet, or pill form, injected
Hallucinogens	Phencyclidine (PCP)	angel dust, crystal, supergrass, killer weed, KJ, sherms, embalming fluid, hog, rocket fuel	snorted, injected, drunk, applied to leafy material and smoked, or swallowed in capsule, tablet, or pill form
	Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)	acid, blotter acid, microdot, cubees, purple haze, white lightning	swallowed in tablet or capsule form, or placed into thin squares of gelatin, paper, sugar cubes, gum, candy, or crackers
	Mushrooms (Psilocybin/ Psilocyn)	magic mushrooms, shrooms	chewed, smoked, or ground and infused in hot water and drunk as tea
	Peyote (Mescaline)	STP	chewed, swallowed in capsule or pill form, ground and infused in hot water and drunk as tea
Cannabis	Marijuana	grass, pot, weed, Acapulco gold, Colombian, ganja, smoke, sinsemilla	smoked in handrolled cigarettes or pipes
	Hashish	hash
	Hashish Oil	hash oil
Inhalants	Nitrous Oxide	laughing gas, whippets	inhaled or sniffed, sometimes using a paper bag, rag, gauze, or ampulse
	Amyl Nitrate	poppers, snappers
	Butyl Nitrate	rush, bolt, locker room, bullet, climax
	Airplane Glue, Aerosol Sprays, Gasoline, Paint Thinner

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Table 6: Major Substances of Abuse

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