C H A P T E R 6
Challenges to effective drug therapy
67
when their occupation puts them in contact with readily
available drugs or when someone else in the home is
using a prescription drug. Many of the drugs used illic-
itly are addictive and can change a person’s entire life,
with drug-seeking behaviour becoming a major factor.
Researchers have identified actual changes in the brain
and neurotransmitter patterns of people who abuse and
become addicted to such drugs. Trying to reverse these
changes and return the person to a non-addicted state
is a physiological, as well as a psychological, challenge.
The use of these drugs can have severe consequences
for health, can mask underlying signs and symptoms of
medical problems and can interact with other medica-
tions that the user may need.
Being informed about drugs available in the com-
munity, current trends among teenagers or young adults
and community resources available to help people can
guide parents and healthcare professionals while dealing
with this drug culture problem. Education provides a
crucial defence against drug abuse and helps the public
and healthcare professionals recognise the problem
and deal with it when it occurs. Funded by the Aus-
tralian Government Department of Health and Ageing
as part of the National Drug Strategy, the Australian
■■
TABLE 6.3 Frequently abused street drugs and their potential health consequences
Drug
Street names
Class
Health consequences
Amphetamines
Uppers, whites, dexies
Stimulant
Hypertension, tachycardia, insomnia,
restlessness
Amyl nitrate
Boppers, pearls
Stimulant
Tachycardia, restlessness, hypotension, vertigo
Anabolic steroids
Roids, muscle
Steroid
Hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, acne, cancer,
cardiomyopathy
Barbiturates
Downers, reds
Depressant
Bradycardia, hypotension, laryngospasm,
ataxia, impaired thinking
Benzodiazepines
M&Ms, Uncle Milty
Depressant
Confusion, fatigue, impaired memory, impaired
coordination
Cannabis
With
formaldehyde
With cocaine
Pot, grass, weed,THC; fry
sticks; primo
Mixed CNS
Drowsiness, elation, dizziness, memory lapse,
hallucinations
Cocaine
Snow, blow, crack
Stimulant
Tachycardia, hypertension, hallucinations,
confused thinking
Fentanyl
Jackpot, China white
Opioid
Sedation, arrhythmias, shock, cardiac arrest,
decreased respirations, constipation
Gamma-
hydroxybutyrate
GHB, fantasy, liquid X,
liquid E, “date rape” drug
Depressant
Memory loss, hypotension, somnolence
Heroin
Brown sugar, joy, crank,
fairy dust, horse, smack
Opioid
Sedation, arrhythmias, shock, cardiac arrest,
decreased respirations, constipation
Ketamine
Super acid, special K
Depressant
Paralysis, loss of sensation, disorientation,
psychic changes
LSD
Acid, sunshine, blotter acid Hallucinogen Hallucinations, hypotension, changes in
thinking, loss of social control
MDMA
Ecstasy, b-bombs, go,
Scooby snacks
Hallucinogen Hallucinations, psychic change, loss of memory,
hypotension, cardiac arrest
Methamphetamine Crystal, glass, speed,
crystal meth, ice, base
mother’s cocaine
Stimulant
Hypertension, tachycardia, restlessness, changes
in thinking
Methylphenidate
Ritalin
Stimulant
Agitation, tachycardia, hypertension,
hyperreflexia, fever
Morphine
Mort, Miss Emma
Opioid
Sedation, arrhythmias, shock, cardiac arrest,
decreased respirations, constipation
OxyContin
Oxy, Oxycotton, Oxy 80s,
hillbilly heroin, poor
man’s heroin, cotton
Opioid
Sedation, arrhythmias, shock, cardiac arrest,
decreased respirations, constipation
PCP
with steroids
Angel dust, zombie; juices Hallucinogen Acute psychosis, HF, death, seizures, memory
loss
Peyote
Button, mesc
Hallucinogen Acute psychosis, tremor, altered perception,
death
Rohypnol
Rophies
Amnesiac
Date rape drug, loss of memory, immobility
Viagra/MDMA
Sextasy
Hallucinogen,
ED drug
Severe hypotension, hallucinations, increased
sexual function
CNS, central nervous system; ED, erectile dysfunction; HF, heart failure; LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide; MDMA, methylenedioxymethamphetamine;
PCP, phencyclidine;THC, tetrahydrocannabinol.
