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often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and then hold it in their lungs as long as possible, marijuana is damaging
to the lungs and pulmonary system.
Long-term users of marijuana may develop psychological dependence and require more of the drug to get
the same effect. The drug can become the center of their lives.
Narcotics:
Narcotics such as heroin, codeine, and morphine initially produce a feeling of euphoria that
often is followed by drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Users also may experience constricted pupils, watery
eyes, and itching. An overdose may produce slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and
possible death.
Tolerance to narcotics develops rapidly and dependence is likely. The use of contaminated syringes may
result in diseases such as HIV infection, endocarditis, and hepatitis. Addiction in pregnant women can lead to
premature, stillborn, or addicted infants who experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
Heroin
: People who use heroin report feeling a "rush" (euphoria) accompanied by effects that include:
dry mouth, flushing of the skin, heavy feelings in the hands and feet, clouded mental functioning, going "on the
nod," a back-and-forth state of being conscious and semi-conscious people who use heroin over the long term
may develop: collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves’ abscesses (swollen tissue filled with pus),
constipation and stomach cramping, liver or kidney disease, lung complications, including various types of
pneumonia
In addition to the effects of the drug itself, street heroin often contains dangerous chemicals that can clog
blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain, causing permanent damage. Also, sharing drug
injection equipment and having impaired judgment from drug use can increase the risk of contracting infectious
diseases such as HIV and hepatitis (see "Injection Drug Use, HIV, and Hepatitis").
People who inject drugs such as heroin are at high risk of contracting the HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) virus.
These diseases are transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids, which can occur when sharing
needles or other injection drug use equipment. HCV is the most common bloodborne infection in the Unites
States. HIV (and less often HCV) can also be contracted during unprotected sex, which drug use makes more
likely.
An overdose occurs when the person uses too much of a drug and has a toxic reaction that results in
serious, harmful symptoms or death.
When people overdose on heroin, their breathing often slows or stops. This can decrease the amount of
oxygen that reaches the brain, a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia can have short- and long-term mental effects
and effects on the nervous system, including coma and permanent brain damage. Source: National Institute on Drug
Abuse
Publications-drug facts/heroin
Amphetamines/other Stimulants:
Amphetamines (speed, uppers), methamphetamines, and other
stimulants can cause increased heart and respiratory rates, elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, and decreased
appetite. In addition, users may experience sweating, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, sleeplessness, and
anxiety. Extremely high doses can cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, loss of coordination, and even
physical collapse. An amphetamine injection creates a sudden increase in blood pressure that can result in
stroke, very high fever, or heart failure. Extremely high doses of amphetamines can cause rapid or irregular
heartbeat, tremors, loss of coordination, and physical collapse.
In addition to the physical effects caused by the amphetamines, users report feeling restless, anxious, and
moody. Higher doses intensify the effects. Persons who use large amounts of amphetamines over a long period
of time can develop an amphetamine psychosis that includes hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.
Barbiturates/other Depressants
: Barbiturates (downers), methaqualone (Quaaludes), tranquilizers
(Valium), and other depressants have many of the same effects as alcohol. Small amounts can produce calmness
and relaxed muscles, but somewhat larger doses can cause slurred speech, staggering, and altered perception.
Very large doses can cause respiratory depression, coma, and death. The combination of depressants and
alcohol can multiply the effects of the drugs, thereby multiplying the risks.
The use of depressants can cause both physical and psychological dependence. Regular use over time may
result in a tolerance to the drug, leading the user to increase the quantity consumed. When regular users