Prescription Drugs

Prescription Drugs
By Karin, Serena, and Jenny

Definition
Prescription drugs: they are medication
prescribed for a specific problem

Recreational use of prescription
drugs:
● It is a serious problem among teens and
young adults.
● Studies show teens are more likely to use
a prescription drugs opposed to illegal
drugs
● Many teens justify abusing drugs by
saying they are just 'self-medicating'
● Prescription drugs are riskier than using
illegal drugs

Types of prescription drugs:
● Depressants-slow the brain functions
● Opioids and morphine derivatives-
painkillers
● Stimulants- used to increase energy,
increased blood pressure, and heart
pressure
● Anti-depressants- drugs that handle
depression

Depressants
Brand names:
● Xanax
● Valium
● Halcion
short term effects:
● confusion
● dizziness
● fever
● depression
● addiction
street names:
● candy
● clowners
● sleeping pills
long term effects:
● chronic fatigue
● sleeping problems
● cravings
● anxiety

Rohypnol
users crush it to inject, drink, or smoke it
with marijuana
brand name:
Rohypnol
Effects:
- memory disabilities
-paralysing
street names:
- forget me pills
-mexican valium
-Rz
-Roche
-Roofies

Opioids and morphine derivatives
Brand names:
● Fiorinal and codeine
● Robitussin A-C
● Tylenol with codeine
● Diacid
long term effects:
● insomnia
● cold flashes
● vomiting
Street names:
● Captain Cody
● cody
● loads
● juice

Stimulants
Brand names:
● Ritalin
● Concerta
● Dexedrine
Short term effects:
● exhaustion
● apathy
● depression
Street names:
● R- ball
● Skippy
● JiF
● Speed
Long term effects:
● feeling of hostility or paranoia
● high body temperature
● irregular heart beat

Antidepressants
- studies find that 14% of young people
taking antidepressants become violent
Brand names:
● Prozac
● Zoloft
● Celexa
Effects:
● insomnia
● irritability
● violent thoughts

Ketamine- anesthetic
Brand names:
● Ketaset
● Ketalar
● Ketalar SV
Street names:
● Special K
● K
● Super C

Over-the-Counter
-can be obtained without a prescription
Brand names:
● Coriciclin
● Robitussin
Effects:
● hallucinations
● insomnia
Street names:
● DXM
● CCM or Triple C

Stats
Everyday in the US:
● 25,000 youths abuse prescription pain relievers for the
first time
● most prevalent in the US, Europe, South Asia and
Africa
● in 2006, 206 million people abused prescription drugs
● 2007 in the US 3.3% of 12-17 yr. olds and 6% of 17-25
yr. olds abused prescription drugs
● prescription drugs cause the largest % of deaths from
overdose

cont.
● In 2005, 4.4% of teens admitted to taking prescription
painkillers
● 2.3 million teens took stimulants
● 2.2 million teens abused over-the-counter drugs
Cause of deaths:
45% - prescription
39% - street drugs (combined- amphetamine,
methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine)

cont.
● in a survey, 50% of teen thought that prescription
drugs were safer than illegal drugs
● 60-70% say that their home medicine cabinets are their
source of drugs
People take them to:
● fit in
● relieve boredom
● be rebellious