What It Does
With alcohol legally available to persons over 21 in the United States, its use is fairly widespread even among those who have not yet reached the legal age. Alcohol is consumed through drinking liquid forms of beer, wine and spirits and is known to be an extremely addictive substance. The immediate consequences include difficulty with motor control, slowed and impaired decision making and problem solving processes, dehydration, nausea, equilibrium dysfunction, increased heart rate, and dilated pupils. On younger drinkers, the developmental process may be slowed, resulting in physical and mental growth problems. Alcohol users tend to display impulsiveness, immaturity, and pleasure-seeking behaviors. In some cases, the user may experience memory loss, liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and death.

Infofax -Alcohol

Arizona Statistics
Alcohol use rates for Arizona high school students have remained at or below the national average for 1991 through 1995. Rates dropped from 1991 to 1995 in reported drinking in the lifetime and in the past 30 days for Arizona use. For twelfth graders 1991 lifetime use was 80.9 percent in 1995 use was 72.8 percent with half reporting use in the past 30 days in 1991 and 43 percent in 1995. Tenth graders dropped from 73.8 percent to 68.7 percent in lifetime use from 1991 to 1995. The only reported increase was in alcohol use among sixth graders in the past 30 days. In 1991, the rates were 3.4 percent and in 1995 13.6 percent, although lifetime use dropped from 51.1 percent to 32 percent in that same time for sixth graders.

Increased approval or indifference toward peer alcohol use has been reported in high school students from 1989 to 1995. In 1989, 52.8 percent reported this attitude versus the 66.8 percent reported in 1995. In 1995, parents estimated that 6 percent of Arizona kids used alcohol, where the actual figures were 11 percent for elementary, 20 percent for middle school, and 38 percent for high school students. Drunk driving among Arizona youth dropped 24 percent between 1990-1995. In 1996, 108 (1 percent) pregnant Arizona women 19 or younger reported alcohol use during pregnancy.

Straight talk about alcohol
"On New Year's Eve of this last year, my cousin died in a drunk driving accident. I was out, and I had to take a friend home, and on the way back, there was an accident in the road. I didn't know what had happened but I didn't really think about it. Two days later, I found out it was my cousin. He was walking across the road and was hit by a drunk driver and killed instantly. He left behind a pregnant wife and two children 10 and 2."

Drinking and Driving

Other Web Resources

• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
• US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
• National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Higher Education Center for Alcohol

Additional Resources Related to Alcohol Abuse

Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies CAAS
The Center's mission is to promote the identification, prevention and effective treatment of alcohol and other drug use problems in our society through research, publications, education and training.

Center of Alcohol Studies
Rutgers University's Center of Alcohol Studies provides information on alcohol and drugs. Their site includes fact sheets about Facts on Alcohol, Drugs, and Domestic Violence as well as other important information.

Dealing With Adolescent Experimentation
Many adolescents experiment with alcohol, and there are a variety of reasons why they do so. Your best bet at influencing your teenage son or daughter positively is to offer open channels of communication.

Dispelling Myths About Alcohol
Kids develop all sorts of beliefs about alcohol, some accurate and some erroneous or distorted. It is very important for you to provide your adolescent son or daughter with thorough and accurate information about alcohol.

Kids Learn How To Drink
The most influential models in a child's life are his or her parents.

Statistics
16,189 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol in the United States -- an average of one every 32 minutes. These deaths constituted approximately 38.6% of the total 41,967 traffic fatalities. (NHTSA, 1998)

About 1,058,990 were injured in alcohol-related crashes -- an average of one person injured approximately every 30 seconds. About 30,000 people a year will suffer permanent work-related disabilities. (Miller at al, 1996b)

Every weekday night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., one in 13 drivers is drunk (BAC of .08 or more). Between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on weekend mornings, one in seven drivers is drunk. (Miller et al., 1996c)

Since 1982, annual alcohol-related traffic deaths have been reduced 36%. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that between 90,307 and 128,529 lives have been saved between 1983 and 1996 due to the decrease of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes in the United States. (NHTSA, 1997)

About three in every five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. (NHTSA,1997)

Economic costs of alcohol-related crashes are estimated to be $45 billion yearly. An additional $70.5 billion is lost in quality of life due to these crashes. (Miller et al, 1996b)

In 1997, there were 2 alcohol-related traffic deaths per hour, 45 per day and 315 per week. That is the equivalent of 2 jetliners crashing week after week. (NHTSA, 1997)

While most drivers involved in fatal crashes have no prior conviction for DWI, those who do are at a significantly greater risk of causing a drunk driving crash. (NHTSA,1997)

During the period 1982 through 1997, approximately 333,586 persons lost their lives in alcohol-related traffic crashes. (NHTSA, 1998)

A driver with a BAC of 0.15 is more than 300 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash. (NHTSA, 1997)

In the past decade, four times as many Americans died in drunk driving crashes as were killed in the Vietnam War. (NHTSA, 1995)

Drunk driving is the nation's most frequently committed violent crime. (MADD, 1996)

Arizona Statistics
Arizona 1997 Total Traffic Fatalities = 951

Fatalities Alcohol-Related = 433

Percent Alcohol-Related = 45.5%

Other Web Resources

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving
• America Cares
• National Commission Against Drunk Driving
• Students Against Destructive Decisions
• Safe Party Guide
• Today's Current News Articles About Alcohol
• National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
• Higher Education Center for Alcohol

Qué es lo que hace?
Con el alcohol legalmente disponible a las personas de mayores de 21 años en los Estados Unidos, su uso esta al alcanze inclusive entre aquellas personas que todavía no tienen la edad legal para consumirlo. El alcohol es consumido por medio de la cerveza, vino y oros licores y es conocido como una sustancia extremadamente adictiva. Las consecuencias immediatas incluyen dificultades con el sistema motor, el decaímiento de las habilidades para tomar decisiones, deshidratación, naúsea, desequilibrio, incremento en la pulsación del corazón y la dilatación de pupilas. Entre los bebedores más jóvenes, el proceso de desarrollo puede ser retrasado resultando en problemas de crecimiento tanto físico como mentales. Las personas que consumen alcohol tienden a demostrar impulsividad, immadurez, y conductas que buscan placer. en algunos casos, el usuario puede experimentar perdida de memoria, daño al hígado, problemas cardiovasculares y la muerte.

Realidades sobre el alcohol y su influencia al conducir automóviles
"en la vispera de año nuevo, mi primo murió en un accidente relacionado con la influencia del alcohol. Yo habia salido a llevar a un amigo a su casa. en mi regreso, ví un accidente en la calle. Yo no sabía que había sucedido pero no le dí mucha importancia. Dos días mas tarde, me enteré que se trataba de mi primo. El estaba caminando por la calle y fue golpeado por un conductor en estado de ebriedad y murió instantaneamente. El dejó a su esposa embarazada y a dos niños de 10 y 2 años de edad".

What It Does
Cocaine may be injected, inhaled (snorted), or smoked and may leave the user feeling restless, nervous, anxious, and irritable. Continued use of cocaine leads to an inability to achieve the "high" that first-time users report. The addictive properties of cocaine are unpredictable and lead to different levels of dependency in individual users.

Physically, cocaine affects the central nervous system and blocks the reabsorption of the chemical dopamine, which is associated with pleasure. Cocaine users have dilated pupils and increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Immediate effects include reduced mental function and fatigue and increased hyperactivity. The long term cocaine users report depression, paranoia, nasal damage (in those who snort), and cocaine use can result in cardiac and respiratory arrest.

Infofax - Crack and Cocaine

Arizona Statistics
For Arizona citizens under 15, cocaine type drugs accounted for four deaths from 1985-1995. A total of nine deaths for older youth (15-19 years) were attributed to cocaine type drugs during the same time period.

Straight talk about cocaine
"I've been in the hospital wishing to die, killed my liver for my drugs, and lived through those endless nights. I've lived in hell for three years because of my addiction. Snorted thousands of dollars away. Why? Because my best friend told me it would help."

"The only thing that stopped us are our kids.. We were lucky we still had them. Cocaine feeds you with false hopes that life is so good. Once it has brain washed you, you have no hopes."

Other Web Resources

• Cocaine Anonymous
• Facts About Cocaine

Qué es lo que hace?
La cocaína puede ser inyectada, inhalada o fumada y puede dejar al usuario sintiendose agitado, nervioso, ancioso e irrtado. El uso continuo de la cocaína conduce a la inhabilidad de alcanzar el climax que reportan los usuarios que lo hacen por primera vez. Las propiedades adictivas de la cocaína son inpredecibles y conducen a diferentes niveles de dependencia entre cada individuo.

Físicamente, la cocaína afecta el sistema nervioso central y bloquea la reabsorción del compuesto quimico dopamine, el cual esta asociado con el placer. Las personas que usan cocaína tienen las pupilas dilatadas y un acelerado latido del corazón, elevada presión sanguínea y temperatura del cuerpo. Efectos inmediatos incluyen una función mental reducida, fatiga e incrementada hiperactividad. Las personas que usan cocaína a largo plazo reportan depresion, paranoia, daño nasal y el uso de cocaína puede resultar en un paro cárdiaco y respiratorio.

Realidades sobre la cocaina
"Yo he estado en el hospital deseando morir, maté a mi hígado por mis drogas y viví todas esas noches interminables. Yo he vivido en el infierno por tres años debido a mi adicción. Malgasté miles de dolares. Por qué? Por que mis mejores amigos me dijeron que me ayudarían".

"Lo único que nos prevenía eran nuestros niños. Nosotros tuvimos suerte y todavia los tenemos. La cocaína te alimenta de esperanzas falsas, de que la vida es muy buena. Una vez que te ha lavado el cerebro, ya no tienes esperanza".

What It Does
Ecstasy, also called MDMA or Adam, is a drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine like properties. Use of ecstasy causes confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia and possibly psychotic episodes. It also increases heart rate and blood pressure, may cause muscle tension, involuntary teeth-clenching, nausea, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, faintness, chills or sweating.

Ecstasy has been reported to contribute to heightened sexual experience, tranquility, and happiness.

Infofax - Ecstasy

Other Web Resources

• Facts About MDMA
• Go Ask Alice! (Columbia University)

Qué es lo que hace?
Extasis, también llamada "MDMA o Adam" es una droga con propiedades de alucinogenos y amfetamina. El uso del éxtasis causa confusión, depresión, insomnio, deseo de drogas, ansiedad severa y paranoia y posiblemente episodios psicóticos. También incrementa el latido del corazón y presión sanguínea, puede causar tensión muscular, nausea, visión borrosa, escalofríos, apretamientos involuntarios de los dientes, rapidos movimientos de los ojos, sudores y desmayos. El éxtasis ha sido reportado por contribuir a incrementar la experiencia sexual, tranquilidad y felicidad.

What It Does
Heroin, also called "smack", "H", "skag", and "junk", is processed from morphine, found in the seed pod of the poppy plant. Heroin is highly addictive and may be injected, inhaled (snorted), or smoked. After injecting heroin, the user feels a euphoric rush that is usually combined with a flushing of the skin, a dry mouth and heavy extremities. After the euphoria, the user goes into a state which alternates between wakefulness and drowsiness. Mental functioning is clouded.

Heroin affects the long term health of the individual user. They may develop collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, cellulitis, and liver disease. Other complications due to the additives in heroin may result in clogging blood vessels that lead to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain which may cause infection or destroy cells on the vital organs.

As with most drugs, a tolerance develops so higher doses are used over time to achieve the same euphoria. The body becomes physically dependent on the drug and the user will go through withdrawl when the drug is not used .

Infofax - Heroin

Straight talk about heroin
"Have you seen the commercial with the girl who sets the egg on the kitchen counter and says 'this is your brain' then proceeds to smash it with a cast iron frying pan saying 'this is your brain on heroin'?

Well, that commercial is NO JOKE. That is exactly what heroin has done to my family. I will probably always be a burnout, but I can't quit getting high. So I leave you with this piece of advice... If you can quit then you need to because you don't need to live your life HIGH!"

Heroin Terminology/Definitions
Treatment Definitions

Other Web Resources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse and Addiction
• PBS Story on Heroin

Qué es lo que hace?
La heroina también conocida como "smack", "H", "skag" and "junk" es procesada de la morfina, encontrado en la semilla de la planta "poppy". La heroina es altamente adictiva y puede ser inyectada, inhalada o fumada. Después de inyectar heroina, el usuario experimenta un estado eufórico que es usualmente combinado con un erizamiento de la piel, boca seca y extremidades pesadas. Después de la euforia, el usuario enfrenta un estado que alterna entre la debilidad y las nauseas. El funcionamiento mental esta nublado. La heroina a largo plazo afecta la salud de cada individuo. Ellos pueden desarrollar obstrucciones venales, infección de la cubierta del corazón y las válvulas, abscesos, celulitis y enfermedad del hígado. Otras complicaciones debido a los aditivos en la heroina puede resultar en vasos sanguíneos obstruidos que van a los pulmones, hígado, riñon o cerebro los cuales pueden causar infección o destruir celulas en los organos vitales. Al igual que con otras drogas, la tolerancia incrementa con un dosaje alto en busqueda del sentimiento de euforia. Debido a la adicción del organismo al uso de la droga, los usuarios experimentan efectos negativos cuando la droga no se consume.

Realidades sobre la heroina
"Has visto el comercial con la chica que pone un huevo en la cocina y dice: este es tu cerebro y luego procede a aplastarlo con una sarten de metal y dice: Este es tu cerebro cuando tiene heroina"? Bueno, ese comercial no es un chiste. Eso es exactamente lo que ha hecho la heroina a mi familia. Yo probablemente seré alguine que se exceda, pero no puedo dejar la heroina. Asi que les doy este consejo.....Si pueden dejarlo, haganlo, ya que no necesitan vivir sus vidas excediendose con esta!

What It Does
Because the substances leading to inhalant use are commonly found in household products, its popularity is high among youth. Since the chemicals involved in inhalant use are diverse, it is difficult to make generalizations about the effects of inhalant use on the user. Inhalants are introduced to the body through sniffing the substance. The chemicals may cause immediate death when they replace oxygen in the lungs and central nervous system or by causing irregular heart rhythms. Inhalants may do irreversible damage to the neurological functioning of the user. This may effect the nerves in the body as well as reducing the size of the brain. Users frequently report deteriorated cognitive and memory functioning and behavioral changes. Use can also lead to muscle weakness, liver failure, anemia, and hepatitis.

Infofax - Inhalants

Arizona Statistics
Inhalant use remained steady or increased slightly from 1991-1995 for Arizona youths. Sixth graders and high school seniors in 1995 reported similar rates of trying inhalants at 15.6 and 14.8 percent. In the past 30 days, sixth graders had higher rates of inhalant use (6.3 percent) than tenth (5.6 percent) or twelfth graders (5.1 percent) in 1995.

Straight talk about inhalants
"..but my life is pretty much ruined now. I have been busted so many times it's not funny...if you are going to start using drugs, think twice because I have lost my chance at life don't lose yours..the sad thing is I say that to people but I keep abusing everything I am using..I am 15."

Other Web Resources

• National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
• Internet Mental Health

Qué es lo que hace?
Ya que las sustancias que conducen al uso de los inhalantes son comunmente encontrados en productos de casa, su popularidad es alta entre la juventud. Ya que los químicos involucrados en el uso de inhalantes son diversos, es díficil hacer generalizaciones sobre los efectos del uso de inhalantes el el usuario. Los químicos pueden causar una muerte inmediata cuando reemplazan oxígeno en los pulmones y en el sistema nervioso central o causando ritmos irregulares del corazón. Los inhalantes pueden causar daños irreversibles a el funcionamiento neurológico de el usuario. Esto puede afectar los nervios en el cuerpo así como a reducir el tamaño del cerebro. Los usuarios frecuentemente reportan sus habilidades cognitivas deterioradas y cambios en su comportamiento. El uso puede causar debilidad muscular, falla del hígado, anemia y hepatitis.

Realidades sobre los inhalantes
"Pero mi vida ya casi esta aruinada. Me han agarrado tantas veces que ya ni es un chiste,,,,Si vas a comenzar a usar drogas, piensalo dos veces porque yo he perdido mi chance con la vida y no pierdas la tuya……lo triste es que yo les digo esto a las personas pero yo continuo abusando todo lo que uso….Tengo 15 años".

What It Does
LSD or acid, as it is commonly known, is a colorless, odorless and tasteless liquid that is dropped onto some absorbant medium. The mediums have varied over the years but include sugar cubes, coffee, tablets, capsules, minitablets, and gelatin chips but the most common is the "blotter"--LSD soaked paper. The blotter is often a cartoon.

The drug itself is absorbed quickly. Its effect begins about 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion and lasts six to nine hours. The physical effects are dilated pupils, muscular weakness, rapid reflexes, decreased appetite and increased blood pressure and body temperature.

The acid alters serotonin, a chemical in the brain that allows us to make sense of the world around us. The properties of objects become more vivid and distorted. There may be emotional changes in addition to the physical changes.

Flashbacks, or the re-experiencing of LSD's effects, can occur without warning for up to a year or longer after use.

Infofax -LSD

Other Web Resources

• DEA-Publications - LSD in the US

Qué es lo que hace?
LSD o acido como es comunmente conocido, es un liquido sin color, odor o sabor depositado en un medio absorbente. Los métodos han variado a traves de los años pero incluyen cubos de azúcar, café, tabletas, capsulas, minitablas, cubos de gelatina pero el mas común es el "blotter"-LSD papel mojado. La droga es absorbida rápidamente. El efecto empieza entre 30 a 90 minutos después de la ingestión y dura de 6 a 9 horas. Los efectos físicos son: pupilas dilatadas, debilidad muscular, reflejos rápidos, disminución del apetitio y la incrementación de la presión sanguínea y temperatura del cuerpo.
El acido altera la serotina, un químico en el cerebro que nos permite tener sentido sobre el mundo que nos rodea. Las propiedades de objetos se hacen más vividas y distorcionadas. Pueden haber cambios emocionales asi como cambios físicos. Los efectos o la re-experimentación de los efectos de los LSDs pueden ocurrir sin aviso hasta al año o más del tiempo después de haber comenzado su uso.

What It Does
Smoking marijuana in pipes, bongs, or rolled like cigarettes are the most common forms of use. The chemical in marijuana that leads to its high is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which affects the user at the cellular level. The short term effects of marijuana include increased heart rate, memory and coordination loss, difficulty thinking, anxiety, and panic attacks.

The brain, lungs, and heart all suffer the effects of marijuana use. For the heavy and long-term users, the chemicals in marijuana cause problems in the brain resulting in irreversible memory deterioration and difficulties learning. Behaviorally, the user may also display more aggressive and angry tendencies. The lungs can be damaged by smoking marijuana much like the effects detected in tobacco smokers. Lung tissue may be destroyed and the user left with higher susceptibility to chest colds and coughs. Since the heart rate increases during use, the long term marijuana user risks damage to the cardiovascular system.

Infofax - Marijuana

Arizona Statistics
Marijuana remains one of the most popular drugs of choice. Half of all high school seniors, 45 percent of tenth graders, and 26 percent of eigth graders reported trying marijuana in 1995, which is three to four times the rates in 1991. Marijuana use sharply increased in 1993, but did not continue to grow in 1995. As for regular use, 22 percent of all high school and 9 percent of all junior high school students said that they smoked marijuana at least once a month in 1995. Among elementary students, 3 percent said they had tried marijuana in the past month. Parents estimated that 4 percent of Arizona youth use marijuana, whereas the actual use for elementary students was 3 percent, middle school students 9 percent, and high school 22 percent in 1995.

Straight talk about marijuana
"The memory of what happend that night scares me even now. I know all I did was smoke pot that night and I am sure there is a good chance it was laced with something else, but the whole point is that with illegal drugs, you just never know what can happen. I was completely naive and thought the whole 'I'm only having fun, its only pot' thing. But what I thought was only pot proved to change the rest of my life. All I'm asking is that you educate yourselves and realize you are not invincible--you are human."

Other Web Resources

• Marijuana Anonymous
• Facts About Marijuana and Marijuana Abuse

Qué es lo que hace?
El fumar marihuana en pipas, "bongs" ó enrollados como cigarrillos son las formas de uso mas comunes. El componente químico en la marihuana que conduce al climax es llamado delta-9-tetrahidrocanabinol, el cual afecta al usuario a nivel celular. Los efectos a corto plazo de la marihuana incluyen el incremento el los latidos del corazón, perdida de la memoria y de la cordinación, dificultad al pensar y ataques de pánico. Tanto el cerebro, pulmones y el corazón sufren los efectos del uso de la marihuana. Para los usuarios que lo usan mucho y a largo plazo, los químicos en la marihuana causan problemas en el cerebro resultando en una irreversible deteorización de la memoria y dificultades de aprendizaje. en cuanto a la conducta, el usuario puede también mostrar tendencias agresivas y mal humor. El fumar marihuana puede dañar los pulmones al igual que los efectos que han sido detectados en los fumadores de tabaco. Los tejidos pulmonares pueden ser destruidos y el usuario se queda con una alta suceptibilidad a los resfriados del pecho y toz. Ya que los latidos del corazón incrementan durante el uso, los fumadores constantes de marihuana arriesgan un daño al sistema cardiovascular.

Arizona Statistics
Marijuana remains one of the most popular drugs of choice. Half of all high school seniors, 45 percent of tenth graders, and 26 percent of eigth graders reported trying marijuana in 1995, which is three to four times the rates in 1991. Marijuana use sharply increased in 1993, but did not continue to grow in 1995. As for regular use, 22 percent of all high school and 9 percent of all junior high school students said that they smoked marijuana at least once a month in 1995. Among elementary students, 3 percent said they had tried marijuana in the past month. Parents estimated that 4 percent of Arizona youth use marijuana, whereas the actual use for elementary students was 3 percent, middle school students 9 percent, and high school 22 percent in 1995.

Realidades sobre la marihuana:
"El recuerdo de lo que pasó ese noche me aterroriza inclusive hasta ahora. Yo sé que todo lo que hice fue fumar hierba esa noche y yo estoy segura que hay un buen chance que eso está ligado con algo más, pero el punto es de que con las drogas ilegales, uno nunca sabe lo que puede pasar. Yo era completamente ingenua y pense "sólo me estoy divirtiendo, sólo estoy fumando hierba". Pero lo que yo pense que era solo hierba terminó cambiando el resto de mi vida. Todo lo que les pido es que se eduquen y se den cuenta que nadie es invencible, somos humanos".

What It Does
Methamphetamine may be one of the most dangerous and addictive drugs available. In different forms, the user can inhale (snort), inject, smoke, and orally ingest methamphetamine. The drug effects the central nervous system, heart, and behavior. From the first try, the user may experience difficulty sleeping, decreased appetite, confusion, anxiety, aggressiveness, irritability, hyperactivity, and increased breathing rates. Methamphetamine may damage neuron cell-endings and blood vessels in the brain. Risks of use include death from cardiovascular problems and hypothermia and convulsions. Long term use may result in symptoms mirroring Parkinson's disease with uncontrollable shaking, memory loss, and difficulty controlling bodily functions.

Infofax - Methamphetamine

Arizona Statistics
Methamphetamine use increased in popularity among Arizona adolescents and children between 1991 and 1995. In high school students, 17 percent of twelfth graders, 16 percent of tenth graders, and 11 percent of eighth graders reported methamphetamine use in 1995, all of which are higher rates than the national averages and double the 1991 Arizona rates. Sixth graders in Arizona report higher rates of having tried methamphetamines than high school seniors nationwide (7 versus 4 percent).

Straight talk about methamphetamine
"We were smoking rocks when I fell back into a seizure and stopped breathing after a larger hit... The paramedics were called and then it wasn't my secret anymore. My boyfriend and my best friend gave me CPR. I woke up to paramedics not knowing what just happened to me."

Other Web Resources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• US Department of Justice

Qué es lo que hace?
La metamfetamina puede ser una de las drogas disponibles mas peligrosas y adictivas. Se puede ingerir la metamfetamina de varias maneras tales como al inhalar, injectarse, fumar u oralmente. La droga afecta el sistema nervioso central, el corazón y la conducta. Desde el primer uso, el usuario experimentar dificultad al dormir, disminución del apetito, confusión, ansiedad, agresividad, irritabilidad, hiperactividad y respiraciones más frecuentes. La metamfetamina puede dañar las neuronas y los vasos sanguineos en el cerebro. Los riesgos del uso incluyen la muerte debido a problemas cardiovasculares, hipotermia y convulsiones. El uso a largo plazo puede resultar en sintomas parecidos a la enfermedad de Parkinson con temblores incontrolables, perdida de memoria y dificultad controlando las funciones del cuerpo.

Realidades sobre la metamfetamina
"Nosotros nos encontrabamos fumando "rocks" cuando derepente me dió un acceso y paré de respirar después de una inhalación larga. Se llamó a los paramédicos y luego esto dejo de ser mi secreto. Mi novio y mi mejor amigo me administraron respiración de boca a boca. Me desperté viendo a los paramédicos sin saber lo que me acababa de suceder."

What It Does
PCP, also called angel dust, ozone, wack and rocket fuel, is a white powder that is easily mixed with water or alcohol. It can be snorted, smoked, or eaten. The effects on the body are different depending on the amount of the dose. At low doses there may be a slight increase in breathing rate, rise in blood pressure and pulse rate, shallow respiration, numbness of extremities, and lack of coordination in muscles. A larger dose may cause the following: drop in blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiration, possibly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, flicking up and down of the eyes, drooling, loss of balance, and dizziness. High doses may also cause seizures, coma, death, hallucinations, and illusions. PCP often mimics the full range of symptoms of schizophrenia.

Infofax - PCP

Other Web Resources

• National Families in Action

Qué es lo que hace?
El PCP también conocido como "angel dust, ozone, wack and rocket fuel", es un polvo blanco que es fácilmente mezclado con alcohol o agua. Puede ser ingerido por inhalación, fumado o comido. Los efectos en el cuerpo son diferentes de acuerdo al dosage. en bajo dosaje puede encontrarse un pequeño incremento en la respiración, en la presión sanguínea y el pulso, ahogos, adormecimiento de las extremidades y falta de coordinación en los músculos. Un dosaje alto puede causar lo siguiente: baja de presión en la sangre, pulso y respiración probablemente acompañados por nausea, vómito, visión borrosa, parpadeo, exceso de salivación, perdida de equilibrio y mareos. Dosajes altos también pueden causar ataques, coma, muerte, alucinaciones e ilusiones. El PCP muchas veces refleja los mismos síntomas de la esquizofrenia.

What It Does
Rohypnol, also known as "La Rocha" and "Roofies", is a small white tablet with Roche inscribed on one side and with a one or two encircled indicating the mg dosage. Rohypnol is usually taken orally but sometimes ground up and snorted.

Rohypnol causes the user to feel intoxicated then sleepy. It may last up to eight hours. Users exhibit slurred speech, impaired judgment and difficulty walking. It can cause deep sedation, respiratory distress and blackouts. Sometimes the drug causes the opposite effect and the user becomes aggressive.

Rohypnol is considered a sexual assault drug because of the potential to cause blackouts and amnesia at high doses. The most common method used to drug someone has been to put it into a drink at a bar, nightclub, or party. The drink would not taste out of the ordinary.

Infofax - Rohypnol and GHB

Other Web Resources

• Rohypnol and GHB: Just the Facts
• Drug Free Resource Net
• Congressional Testimony of "DEA"

Qué es lo que hace?
El rohypnol también conocido como "La Rocha" y "Roofies", es una pequeña tableta blanca con el logotipo Roche inscrita en un lado con uno o dos circulos indicando las dosis en miligramos. El rohypnol hace que el usuario se sienta intoxicado y luego con sueño. Su efecto puede durar hasta ocho horas. Los usuarios muestran dificultades para hablar, problemas para tomar decisiones y dificultad al caminar. Este puede causar una sedación profunda, problemas respiratorios y pérdidas del conocimiento. A veces la droga causas el efecto opuesto y el usuario se pone agresivo.

What It Does
Anabolic/Androgenic steroids are made up of synthetic derivatives of testosterone, a natural male hormone. Steroids are usually taken in pill form though some may be injected. Some athletes practice "stacking" in which they take many types of steroids and sometimes in combination with other drugs.

Steroids have been shown to increase lean muscle mass, strength and endurance. For males and females some of the effects of steroids are acne, jaundice, trembling, swelling of feet or ankles, bad breath, reduction in HDL, high blood pressure, liver damage and cancers, aching joints, and increased chance of injury to tendons, ligaments,and muscles. Steroids pose the following dangers to men: shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm count, impotence, baldness, difficulty or pain in urinating, development of breasts and enlarged prostate. For women, the dangers include growth of facial hair, changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle, enlargement of the clitoris, deepened voice, and breast reduction.

Infofax - Steroids

Straight talk about steroids
"There may be a greater number of cases of anabolic steroid-induced psychiatric illness in this country than had been assumed...these effects may pose a danger not only to the steroids user but to the public at large."
-David Katz and Harrison Pope, Harvard University

Other Web Resources

• NIDA Research Report - Anabolic Steroids
• ATLAS: Anabolic Steroid Prevention Program
• Tips forTeens About Steroids

Qué es lo que hace?
Esteroides anabólicos/androgénicos son creados de derivativos sintéticos de testosterone, una hormona masculina natural. Los esteroides son usualmente consumidos en forma de pastilla aunque algunos pueden ser inyectados. Algunos atletas practican el metodo de "stacking" en el cual ellos toman muchos tipos de esteroides y algunas veces en combinación con otras drogas.

Los esteroides han demostrado incrementar la grasa de la masa muscular, fuerza y resistencia. Para hombres y mujeres algunos de los efectos de los esteroides son el acne, ictericia, inchazón de pies y tobillos, mal aliento, reducción en HDL, alta presión sanguínea, daño al hígado y canceres, altos chances de heridas a los tendones, ligamentos y musculos. Los esteroides presentan los siguientes peligros entre los hombres: encogimiento de los testiculos, cantidades reducidas de esperma, impotencia, dificultad al urinar, calvicidad, desarrollo de los pechos y prostatas enlargadas. Entre las mujeres, los peligros incluyen: crecimiento del pelo facial, cambios o suspención en el ciclo menstrual, enlargamientos del clitoris, una voz más profunda y reducción de los pechos.

Realidades sobre los esteroides
"Puede haber un número más grande de casos de enfermedades psyquiatricas, generadas por los esteroides de las que se suponian en este país. Estos efectos pueden llevar daños no sólo a los usuarios de esta droga sino también al público en general".
-David Katz & Harrison Pope, Universidad de Harvard

What It Does
In different forms, tobacco may be smoked or ingested orally as "chew". The legal age for tobacco use in the United States is 18, but is frequently abused at much younger ages. The tobacco user reports that the substance relaxes and soothes them. Nicotine has been discovered to be one of the active ingredients in tobacco leading to the user's claiming state and addiction.

Lung and mouth diseases are among the most commonly reported problems with tobacco use. Higher rates of lung disease and cancers, tumors, and infections are reported for tobacco users than non-users. Tobacco use may also lead to staining of the teeth and fingers, tooth decay, increased susceptibility to chest colds and coughs, nausea, asthma-like breathing symptoms, and premature births. . Long-term use, in addition to lung and heart problems, leaves the user with decreased nail and hair growth and skin problems. Smoking tobacco has the added risk of introducing non-smokers to the chemicals through airborne smoke.

Infofax - Tobacco

Arizona Statistics
Tobacco use rose in Arizona residents 18-24 years old between 1990 and 1996 from 21 to 28 percent. In 1993, 9.6 percent of Arizona males in grades 9-12 reported themselves as frequent tobacco users (defined as use more than 29 days in the past month) and 27.3 percent said they had used tobacco products in the past month. For females in the same cohort, 11 percent considered themselves frequent users and 28.9 percent had used tobacco in the past month. In the western region (figures not available for just Arizona), in 1993, 18.6 percent of males and 2.5 percent of females in grades 9-12 had tried smokeless tobacco. Over 10 percent of pregnant women under 19 in 1996 reported tobacco use during pregnancy. Less than one percent reported use of both tobacco and alcohol while pregnant.

Straight talk about tobacco
Doctor: "You know the best way to quit is to go home and if you have any packs around the house, throw them out."

Quadruple-bypass patient and cigarette pack collector Chuck Hynes: "That is going to be tough doctor."

Other Web Resources

• US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
• Smoker's States National Prevention Control Program
• American Medical Association Tobacco Links

Additional Tobacco Resources

American Cancer Society This is the home of the Great American Smoke Scream, a smoking cessation program aimed at teens as well as other information about smoking and the American Cancer Society's programs.

CDC Prevention Guidelines
This document provides information outlining the need for school health programs to prevent tobacco use and objectives for those programs. It also provides recommendations for schools.

Health Facts about Tobacco Use
Interesting facts about tobacco use.

INFACT's Tobacco Industry Campaign
INFACT Turns Spotlight on Tobacco Marketing to Children.

Qué es lo que hace?
en diferentes formas, el tabaco puede ser fumado o ingerido oralmento como goma. La edad legal para el uso del tabaco en los Estados Unidos es de 18 años, pero este es frecuentemente consumdio a edades mas tempranas. El consumidor de tabaco reporta que la sustancia los calma y relaja. La nicotina ha sido descubierta como una de los ingredientes activos en el tabaco que promueven el estado y la adicción del usuario. Enfermedades de los pulmones y la boca estan entre los problemas mas comunmente reportados con el uso del tabaco. Indices mas altos del cáncer al pulmón, tumores e infecciones son reportados entre los usuarios del tabaco y no en los que no lo usan. El uso del tabaco puede conducir también a la mancha de los dientes y dedos, caída de dientes, incremento de suceptibilidad a los resfriados y tos, naúsea, problemas respiratorios como el asma, y nacimientos prematuros. El uso al largo plazo así como problemas de los pulmones y el corazón dejan al usuario con una reducción en el crecimiento del pelo y de las uñas asi como problemas de la piel. El fumar tabaco incrementa el riesgo en exponer a los no fumadores con los químicos por medio del humo en el medio ambiente.

Realidades sobre el tabaco
Doctor: "Ud. Sabe que la mejor manera para dejar de fumar esta en el ir a casa y tirar todos los paquetes de cigarrillo que tenga ". Un paciente de cirugía cuadruple y colector de cigarrillo de la marca de Chuck Hynes dice responde: "Eso va a ser muy dificil, Doctor".

Alcohol and Other Drugs
Fast Facts regarding adolescent's use of alcohol and other drugs

The Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse (AMERSA)
AMERSA is an association of multidisciplinary health care professionals in the field of substance abuse dedicated to improving education about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)
CSAP is the focus of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' efforts to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems nationwide

DIADS (Drug Information and Decision Support)
Use this on-line aid to help determine your alcohol and drug prevention program's effectiveness.

Drug Prevention Skills Center
This site contains tips for keeping kids drug-free, insight about why they try drugs, as well as links to other empowering messages.

Go Ask Alice (Columbia University)

Guiding Hands
Guiding Hands is an adolescent services corporation specializing in resources, referrals, escorts, interventions, and the location and retrieval of runaways. Their site has information about their services as well as listings of treatment centers and programs. Guiding Hands can be contacted 24 hours a day, everyday.

Narcotics Anonymous (Worldwide)

NCADI - National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) is the information service of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

NIDA: National Institute on Drug Abuse
This site contains NIDA organizational information as well as many drug abuse resources and information about grants.

Sobriety and Recovery Resources
Numerous personal stories and links of resources make up this site. It also includes the Adolescent Substance Abuse and Recovery Resources