Drug Information

 

Effects of Heroin use

SHORT TERM EFFECTS(HEROIN AND NYAOPE)

  • Excitement
  • Calmness
  • Slow reflexes
  • Constriction of eye pupils
  • Drooping of eyelids
  • Sometimes trouble breathing
  • Poor concentration
  • Sweating
  • No feelings of pain, fear, hunger, stress and anxiety
  • Sleepy, tired, lazy and slurred speech
  • Little interest in school / work /relationships
  • Mood swings
  • Withdrawn, argumentative behavior
  • Nausea
  • Death due to overdose.

 

Effects of Methamphetamine TIK/Crystal Meth Use

  • Increase in heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate
  • Blood vessels constrict
  • Pupils becomes enlarged
  • Poor appetite and severe weight loss
  • Increased activity
  • Feelings of increased alertness, aggression, violence and agitation (flight or fight)
  • Feelings of well being, exhilaration or excitement
  • Palpitations
  • Depression, restlessness, and severely tired
  • Paranoia and intense anxiety (panic) after high
  • Inability to sleep
  • Continuous talking
  • Hallucinations/psychosis
  • Seizures and stroke
  • The high is usually followed by a fast down (crash), that can include a state agitation and violent behaviour
  • Rise in body temperature
  • Death

 

Effects of CAT / Methamphetamine Use:

  • Short-term effects include:
  • Reduced fatigue and blocks hunger
  • Impulsive, erratic behavior
  • Feelings of heightened confidence and arousal
  • Paranoia, irritability and severe depression
  • Stimulation of heart rate and respiration
  • Feeling of excitement
  • Increased alertness
  • Dilated pupils
  • Temperature may be severely elevated
  • Jerky eye movement
  • Blurred vision

Effects of Cocaine/Crack use

  • Feelings of well being, happiness and excitement
  • Elevates the mood, self-confidence and alertness
  • Sexual interest
  • Makes conversation easily
  • Alertness, wakefulness,
  • Don’t really feel tired
  • Improves thinking, improved concentration, high energy levels
  • Hallucination (high dose).

 

Effects of Dagga use

  • Relaxed, feelings of euphoria (happiness and talkativeness)
  • Feeling tired and lacking energy
  • Cravings for certain food and increased appetite (“the munchies”)
  • Giggling
  • Mood swings from being happy and relaxed to lazy and tired
  • Dry mouth
  • Sometimes, nausea and vomiting
  • Lazy
  • Sometimes hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that doesn’t exist)
  • Eyes become red, pupils dilated (enlarged)
  • Poor co-ordination, increasing the risk of accidents
  • Forgetful
  • Talking and doing “funny things”

Effects of Alcohol use

  • Smelling of alcohol
  • Drunk and off-balance
  • Poor judgement and decisions
  • Red eyes
  • Poor balance
  • Frequent urination
  • Slurred speech
  • Nausea
  • At first having energy, but later being tired, sleepy
  • Giggling
  • Inappropriate behavior
  • Aggression and violence
  • Emotional outbursts and crying
  • Anxiety
  • Cravings