Health risks exist regardless of whether cocaine is inhaled (snorted), injected, or smoked. The major ways of taking cocaine are sniffing or snorting, injecting, and smoking (including free-base and crack cocaine). However, once someone starts taking cocaine, one cannot predict or control the extent to which he or she will continue to use the drug. Individuals who have tried cocaine have described the experience as a strong high that gave them a feeling of supremacy. Learn more about the fentanyl risk on our Fentanyl pages.Ĭocaine is a powerfully addictive drug. Heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and many other drugs found on the street can be cut with fentanyl, in powder, liquid, or pill form, rendering them even more toxic.
The non-medical use of fentanyl is having a tragic impact on people who use substances, their families, and communities across Canada.Īs a medication, fentanyl is a synthetic opiate, a prescription-grade drug used primarily by cancer patients in severe pain in a patch form.Ī lot of the illegal drugs bought off the street risk being tainted with fentanyl, which between 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. We’ve provided more information on each illegal drug below. Hallucinogenics – LSD and magic mushrooms and to a lesser extent cannabis and ecstasy – tend to alter the way the user feels, sees, hears, tastes, or smells. Stimulants – amphetamine, cocaine, crack, and ecstasy – have a stimulant effect giving a rush of energy and making people more alert. Sedatives can cause an accidental overdose. They can have a numbing effect that produces drowsiness if a lot is taken.
Sedatives – opioids, heroin, tranquilizers – have a sedative effect that slows down the way the body and brain function. Just because someone else has tried it and had a certain feeling, does not mean it will be the same for everyone. How a drug will affect a person can depend on many things like age, body type, or mental state. These drugs cause different experiences and reactions for different people. Different drugs have different dangers associated with them. A person of any age can accidentally overdose when using drugs, whether they are someone experimenting for the first time, or someone who is using street drugs regularly. When people use drugs they may do risky or dangerous things that could hurt them or other people.
It’s often harder to think clearly and make good decisions for a person who is using drugs.ĭepending on the drug, there may be long-term effects from using, including substance use disorder and addiction. While using drugs, a person is less able to do well in school, sports, and other activities. They can affect our emotions and the way we feel, they may cause people to do things they wouldn’t normally do. Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. Illegal drugs can be harmful for anyone, but they are particularly hazardous for young people whose brains and bodies are still developing. What makes a drug illegal? Drugs are illegal if the government has included them in their laws on controlled substances. It’s not safe for anyone to take illegal drugs because, depending on the drug, they can have negative or unexpected effects on the mind and body – and some of them can be the cause of accidental or fatal overdose. Why are illegal drugs so dangerous? When people talk about the “opioid or drug crisis” they usually mean illegal or street drugs. Source – CCSA – Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction – A Drug Prevention Strategy for Canada’s Youth Early drug use sets in motion a pattern of behaviour that can result in destructive personal and social consequences. A mother’s dilemma – Letting go to get a son backĦ0% of those who use illegal drugs are 15 to 24 years old.Preventing Prescription Drug Use by Teens.7 Tips on Staying Connected to Your Teenager.