These drugs are for when you're sick. Using them when you're
not sick isn't smart. Some of these drugs like Valium, Ritalin, and Tylenol with Codeine
are really powerful, and only a doctor or your parents/guardians should give them to you.
Many young people take Ritalin, for instance, to treat hyperactivity - but they should
never give or sell it to others. Just because prescription and over-the-counter drugs are
legal doesn't mean that abusing them is safe. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:
treat pain and other health problems. They are prescribed because your doctor says you
need the medicine. He or she writes out specific instructions called a prescription, which
is given to a pharmacist by a parent or guardian. If you follow your doctor's prescribed
directions, these drugs can make you well. If you don't follow the directions, the drugs
can make you sick. In elementary school, the school nurse usually gives you these drugs.
As you get older, you become responsible for taking your own medicine. Drugs prescribed to
you are meant for you and you only.
STREET NAMES FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: Speed, Crank,
Downers, Uppers, Nod, and Bennies.
THE LOOK: Prescription drugs come in forms like pills,
capsules, liquids, sprays, and inhalers.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE PRODUCED: in laboratories.
PRESCRIPTION
DRUG USE: Most prescription drugs are taken orally, although some are injected or
inhaled, like those taken to control diabetes or asthma.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE LEGAL: when prescribed by a doctor
and filled by a pharmacist. |
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OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS: are
drugs that you can buy without a prescription. They include cold medicines, diet pills,
and pain killers. They can also be dangerous when not used according to the directions. STREET NAMES FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS: These drugs are usually
called what they're known by in drug stores.
THE LOOK: Over-the-counter drugs come in forms like pills,
liquids, capsules, sprays, and inhalers.
OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS ARE PRODUCED: in laboratories.
OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUG USE: Most over-the- counter drugs
are taken orally.
OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS ARE LEGAL: However, follow the
directions for using them correctly.
WHICH OF THESE LEGAL DRUGS ARE ABUSED?
There are two types of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that are abused. The
effects of the drugs will vary according to how much of the drug is taken, how it is
taken, how often it's taken, and the user's expectations of what the drug will do.
- Depressants: drugs that slow you down: In general, depressants reduce your anxiety,
tension, and angry feelings.
- Stimulants: drugs that speed you up: Stimulants have the opposite effect on your body of
depressants. In general, stimulants increase your energy.
It's important to remember that you can become dependent on depressants and stimulants.
This means that your body and mind think they need the drug to function properly. A person
can also become addicted to stimulants and depressants. This means that all the user
thinks about is how he or she is going to get the next dose. A tolerance for these drugs
can be developed too. When users develop a drug tolerance, more and more of the drug is
needed in order to get the desired high. |