Facts About Alchol, Tobacco and Drugs

Facts About Alchol, Tobacco and Drugs

Alcohol (Beer, Wine, Liquor)

Physical Symptoms: Intoxication, slurred speech, unsteady walk, impaired coordination, slowed reflexes, lowered inhibitions 

Look For: Smell of alcohol on clothes or breath, intoxicated behavior, hangover, glazed eyes, bottles, cans or flasks or water bottles containing liquid other than water

Dangers: Accidents due to impaired ability and judgement, heart and liver damage, addiction

Cocaine or Amphetamines (speed, uppers, meth, coke, rock, crack, crank,
crystal, ecstasy)

Physical Symptoms: Dilated pupils, restlessness, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, brief euphoria, talkativeness, feeling of well-being followed by depression, loss of appetite, nervousness

Look for: Glass vials, razor blades, straws, glass pipes, white crystalline powder, syringes, needle marks

Dangers: Severe depression, paranoia, heart attack, seizures, lung damage, addiction

Hallucinogens (acid, LSD, PCP, mushrooms)

Physical Symptoms: Altered mood, anxiety, panic, nausea, slurred speech, blurred vision, lack of coordination

Look For: Capsules, tablets, "micro dots", blotter squares, tin foil, dried mushrooms, dilated pupils, hallucinations, disorientation, mood swings, nausea

Dangers: Unpredictable behavior, emotional instability, violent behavior

Inhalants (gas, aerosols, glue, nitrates, correction fluid, paint, computer keyboard duster/cleaner)

Physical Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, headaches, poor motor coordination and lack of control, bad breath, impaired vision, violent behavior, memory and thought problems

Look For: Cleaning rags, empty spray cans like whipped cream or paint cans, tubes of glue, baggies, small bottles, socks saturated with substance

Dangers: Unconsciousness, suffocation, nausea and vomiting, damage to brain and central nervous system, sudden death

Marijuana (pot, dope, weed, herb, grass, hash, joint, blunt)

Physical symptoms: Altered perceptions, red eyes, dry mouth, sweet burnt odor, neglect of appearance, loss of motivatiohn, slow reactions, memory lapses, euphoria, laughing, hunger

Look For: Rolling papers, pipes, dried plant material (dark green or brown), roach clips, baggies, incense

Dangers: Anxiety, loss of motivation, impaired short term memory and learning, slowed thinking, addiction

Opioids (Heroin, Morphine, Codeine, Lortab, Oxycontin, Vicodin)

Physical Symptoms: Euphoria, drowsiness, insensitivity to pain, nausea, vomiting, watery eyes, runny nose, lethargy

Look For: Needle marks, needles, syringes, spoons, pipes, pinpoint pupils, cold moist skin

Dangers: Lethargy, weight loss, AIDS, Hepatitis, accidental overdose, addiction

Tobacco (smokes, butts, cigs, snuff, dip, chew, plug)

Physical Symptoms: shortness of breath, odor of cigarette smoke, discolored teeth or fingers

Look For: Rolling papers, pipes, spit cups, lighters, matches, cigarettes

Dangers: Respiratory illness and oral, lung or other cancers, addiction

Tranquilizers (Valium, Xanax, Ativan)

Physical Symptoms: Depressed breathing and heartbeat, intoxication, drowsiness, uncoordinated movements

Look For: Capsules and tablets, longer periodos of sleep, pill bottles

Dangers: Muscle rigidity, withdrawal and overdose requiring medical attention especially if using alcohol, addiction