IILEGAL SUBSTANCES
Links:
www.nida.nih.gov National Institute on Drug Abuse
www.ncadd.org National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
www.drugfreeamerica.org Partnership for a Drug Free America
www.samhsa.gov/csap.htm Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration
www.acde.org American Council for Drug Education
www.apha.org American Public Health Association Section of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/Drug_Guide/ Drug Guide
Illegal substances include marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, psilocybin, ecstasy, mescaline, acid, amphetamines, heroine, and a host of other drugs that flood the black market. Most if not all are available in our state and communities; one only need know where to look.
Depending upon the area of the state, certain drugs are more prevalent than in other areas. For the most part, marijuana, methamphetamine and cocaine are abused across the state.The signs of use and/or abuse vary according to the drug used. Marijuana users exhibit giddiness, blood shot eyes, lack of coordination, lethargy, and/or an appetite (or the “munchies”). Cocaine users usually show rapid speech, an inability to sit still for any period of time, a lack of attention span, and/or flushed skin tone. Amphetamine (and methamphetamine) users may show atypical movements or repetitive motions, inability to concentrate, agitated movements and motion, inability to sit still for any period of time, lack of appetite, dilated pupils, and/or rapid speech and paranoia. Symptoms of use vary but the listed signs are fairly typical.
Substance use and abuse affects the family and particularly the youth that are in the home. Parental neglect of the children’s needs, most importantly positive attention and involvement, can occur. Further, those children tend to develop attitudes about substance use that not socially acceptable.
Employment can be effected by the use and abuse of illegal substances. Many companies have prescreening for drug use, and random drug screens. Legal consequences are possible for those who use such substances. Should a person be convicted of a felony charge, legal rights and privileges can be lost, such as the right to vote, entry to subsidized housing, grants and the right to own weapons.
It is easier to not start to use drugs than it is to stop. However, there are resources and services that can assist a person who desires to quit their involvement and abuse of drugs. For more information see our Services page. For additional prevention services contact the Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator at SFL.