National Health Goals

Introduction

Classification of Illicit and Prescription Drugs

• Drugs can be classified in several ways, but the mood-altering or psychoactive drugs are the ones we hear about most.
• Depressant drugs include alcohol, tranquilizers, and barbiturates.
• Opiate narcotics include heroin, codeine, morphine, and methadone.
• Stimulants include nicotine, cocaine, and amphetamines.
• Designer drugs are made in laboratories and have many of the same properties as the drugs they simulate, such as pain relievers, anesthetics, or amphetamines.
• Drugs that cause the user to have hallucinations are called hallucinogens or psychedelics.

The Consequences of Drug Use

• Drug use takes a human toll in terms of increased morbidity and mortality and lost productivity.
• Drug use also has significant economic costs.
• Drug use can lead to significant legal problems, resulting in jail time and substantial fines.

Use and Abuse of Drugs

• Drug use generally begins with smoking cigarettes and alcohol use.
• The reasons given for using drugs are similar to the reasons given for using alcohol and tobacco.
• Some risk factors make one more likely to misuse or abuse drugs.
• The use of most illicit drugs has leveled or decreased in the past decade.
• The development of new drugs and "generational forgetting" contributes to the maintenance of drug use in the United States.
• Marijuana is the most widely used drug in the United States and is associated with a host of physical health and social consequences.
• Stimulants, including cocaine and methamphetamine, are the second most commonly used illicit drugs.
• The continued use of club drugs is a concern given the strong evidence of their harmful effects.
• Inhalant use poses a serious risk to physical health, including risk for sudden death.
• Misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs have become an increasing problem.
• Women who are pregnant, nursing, or want to get pregnant should avoid drug use, including many prescription drugs.

Strategies for Action

• The best way to avoid problems associated with drug use is not to try illegal drugs and to be careful in the use of legal drugs.
• People who have a problem with drugs typically will need help to develop skills and personal characteristics to using them.

Web Resources

Suggested Readings