| The A to Z | | Print | |
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Class |
Drug |
Possession |
Production or Dealing |
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A |
Ecstasy, heroin and methadone, LSD, cocaine and crack, magic mushrooms, methamphetamine, PMA, 2CB, amphetamines (if prepared for injection). |
Up to 7 years in prison, or a fine, or both. |
Up to life in prison, or a fine, or both. |
|
B |
Amphetamines (speed), cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids (such as ‘Spice') pholcodine, methylphenidate (ritalin), cathinones (including mephedrone). |
Up to 5 years in prison, or a fine, or both. |
Up to 14 years in prison, or a fine, or both. |
|
C |
Tranquilisers, some painkillers, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), GBL (gamma Butyrolactone) BZP, Ketamine. |
Up to 2 years in prison, or a fine, or both. |
Up to 14 years in prison, or a fine, or both. |
A – Z Drugs
Alcohol
What it looks like and how it's taken
Drunk as 'alcopops', spirits, beers and wines.
Immediate effects
Reduces inhibitions and increases sense of relaxation. Each unit of alcohol takes approximately one hour for the liver to process.
Risks
Short term: Hangover including dehydration, headache, nausea, sensitivity to noise and bright lights, and depression. Intoxication can lead to aggressive/irrational behaviour and accidents.
Long term: Regular heavy drinking can cause stomach disorders, cancer of mouth, and throat, increased risk of stroke, liver cirrhosis, brain damage (including memory problems), high blood pressure, problems with the nervous system, changes in physical appearance (e.g. weight gain, thread veins and purple, bulbous 'drinkers nose'), sexual and mental health problems, and family and work problems.
Legal status
It's illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under 18-years-old. Also if you drive or attempt to drive while unfit due to alcohol consumption (being unfit means having a Blood Alcohol Concentration of over 80mg per 100ml), you face an automatic disqualification ('driving ban'), a large fine and the possibility of a prison sentence.
Category
Depressant.
5 Stages of Drunkenness
Image courtesy of Lifeline Publications
Amphetamines
Also known as: Speed, Whizz, Sulph, Base
What it looks like and how it's taken
Grey or white powder that is snorted, swallowed, smoked, injected or dissolved in drink. Tablets are swallowed.
Immediate effects
For 3 to 4 hours users feel animated, over-confident, and full of energy. Appetite and ability to sleep are adversely affected.
Risks
Short term: Some users may feel tense and anxious while using and afterwards many feel very tired and depressed. The drug can cause sudden death from heart attack or stroke.
Long term: Frequent high doses can cause panic, hallucination and weight loss. Heavy long-term use places strain on the heart and can cause mental illness. Amphetamines are addictive.
Legal status
Class B or Class A if prepared for injection.
Category
Stimulant.
Amyl Nitrite
Also known as: Poppers, TNT, Liquid Gold, Alkyl Nitrite, Butyl Nitrite
What it looks like and how it's taken
Clear yellow liquid, smells sweet when it's fresh and 'sweaty' when it's not. Vapour is breathed in through nose or mouth from a small bottle or tube.
Immediate effects
Almost instant 'head rush' with flushed face and neck. Lasts 2 –5 minutes.
Risks
Short term: Pounding headaches, nausea, fainting, and bulging eyes. If spilled it can burn the skin and may be fatal if swallowed. People with anaemia, glaucoma and breathing or heart problems are most at risk.
Long term: Regular use can lead to tolerance (greater amount needed to produce same effect) and an increase in risks listed above.
Legal status
Amyl nitrite is a prescription-only medicine. Possession is not illegal but supply through sex shops and clubs can be an offence under the Medicines Act.
Category
Stimulant.
Anabolic Steroids
Also known as: Roids. Trade names: Sustanon 250, Deca-Durabolin, Dianabol, Anavar, Stanozolol
What it looks like and how it's taken
Steroids come in liquid or tablet form. The tablets are swallowed and the liquid is usually injected.
Immediate effects
Sports enthusiasts claim steroids make them able to train harder and can help build muscle mass. The drug can also make users feel more aggressive.
Risks
Short term: Taking steroids can mean normally calm people can become aggressive or even violent. If you're young, anabolic steroids can affect the natural development of the body. If you're male, you can get erection problems, grow breasts, become sterile and develop acne. It can also make your testicles shrink. If you're female, you can get extra facial hair, a deep voice, shrinking breasts and an increased risk of menstrual problems. Injecting any drug can cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene. Dirty or shared needles and other injecting works can also help the spread of HIV and hepatitis.
Long term: Long term usage can lead to paranoia, confusion and sleep problems. You could also experience dramatic mood swings and suffer long-term depression. Steroid use can lead to increased blood pressure and increases the likelihood of liver failure, stroke or a heart attack.
Legal status
If possessed without a prescription or supplied illegally, classified as Class C.
Cannabis
Also known as: Hash, grass, weed, reefer, ganjha, skunk, smoke, resin (solid, soapbar and council)
What it looks like and how it's taken
Comes as solid lump 'resin'; leaves, stalks and seeds called 'grass'; or sticky dark oil. Can be smoked or cooked and eaten with food.
Immediate effects
Users feel relaxed and may have sharper sense of colours and sounds. Some feel urge to eat.
If taken in food, effects can be stronger and harder to control.
Associated paraphernalia
Rolling papers such as Rizla, pipes, bongs.
Risks
Short-term: Impairs ability to concentrate and conduct complex tasks. Can lead to tiredness and lack of motivation.
Long term: Regular heavy use can lead to development or worsening of mental health problems including paranoia. Smoked with tobacco, it increases health risks associated with tobacco use and can lead to nicotine addiction. Very heavy use can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Can lead to heart and breathing problems.
Legal status
All Cannabis, including Oil, Resin and Grass are Class B.
Category
Depressant, Analgesic, Stimulant and Hallucinogen.
Cocaine
Also known as: Cocaine: coke, charlie, cheech, chico, chong snow, white stuff, fairy dust, snifter. Crack: rock, freebase.
What it looks like and how it's taken
Cocaine is a white powder that is snorted or dissolved and injected.
Crack, a stronger version, comes as rocks or stones and is smoked or injected.
Immediate effects
Cocaine acts fast and lasts about 30 minutes. Users feel confident, strong and alert, and may be left craving more. Crack acts faster. More intense effects last about 10 minutes.
Associated paraphernalia
Razors, mirrors, something to snort through, glass pipe, needles and syringes.
Risks
Short term: Some users may feel tense and anxious while using and afterwards many feel very tired and depressed. It can also cause convulsions, chest pain and sudden death from heart attack or stroke. Sniffing can damage the inside of the nose. Smoking crack can cause breathing problems and lung damage.
Long term: Frequent use can lead to paranoia, hallucinations, aggression and weight loss. Cocaine and especially crack cocaine are highly addictive. Chronic use also causes severe damage to heart and circulation, brain damage and severe mental health problems.
Legal status
Class A.
Category
Stimulant.
Ecstasy
Also known as: 'E' pills, Sweeties, MDMA (chemical name), Eckies, X, Jabs
What it looks like and how it's taken
Tablets of different shapes, sizes and colours - often with a designer logo. Taken by swallowing the tablet.
Immediate effects
Within 20 minutes to one hour, increases energy and sense of well-being. Sounds, colours and emotions more intense. Lasts up to 6 hours.
Risks
Short term: Use can lead to overheating and dehydration if users dance without taking breaks or sipping non-alcoholic fluids. This can be fatal. Drinking a pint of liquid every hour and eating a salty snack from time to time are advised. Users can feel tired and depressed for a few days after use.
Long term: Ecstasy use has been linked to mental health problems, and liver, kidney and brain damage.
Legal status
Class A.
Category
Stimulant / Hallucinogen.
Gamma hydroxybutyrate
Also known as: GHB, GBH, Gabba, Liquid Ecstasy, 'G'
Similar substances: Gamma-butyrolactone (GBL)
What it looks like and how it's taken
GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) is closely related to gamma-hydroxybutrate (GHB); both are dangerous drugs with sedative and anaesthetic effects. GBL converts to GHB shortly after entering the body. Comes in small bottles. Colourless, odourless liquid. Sometimes it also comes in capsule form. Liquid and capsules can be swallowed. It is a common solvent used in products like paint strippers and stain removers.
Immediate effects
GHB and GBL produce essentially the same effects and vary greatly in strength. They both produce a feeling of euphoria and can reduce your inhibitions and make you feel sleepy.
Risks
Short term: Larger doses can cause drowsiness, sickness, disorientation, convulsions, coma and breathing difficulties. Can cause nausea, reduced heart rate, drowsiness, coma, hypothermia, seizures, unconsciousness, coma and death. Due to their effect GHB and GBL have been linked to drug-assisted sexual assault.
Long term: Long term effects are not well understood. Using both GHB and GBL can cause unconsciousness, coma and death. Even experienced users are at risk from death by intoxication. Taking these drugs with alcohol or other sedative drugs adds to the risk of harm. But it is also clear that they can cause death when taken on their own.
Legal status
Class C.
Category
Depressant.
Heroin
Also known as: Smack, Skag, H, Junk, Gear, Kit
What it looks like and how it's taken
Brownish-white powder. Some heroin comes in a brown/black form that looks like hard toffee. Smoked, dissolved or injected.
Immediate effects
Slows the brain, heart rate and breathing. Effects can make the user relaxed, drowsy and numb, detached from worry, and oblivious to pain.
Associated paraphernalia
Needles, syringes, spoon, lighter or candle.
Risks
Short term: There is a real risk of drug overdose, possibly leading to coma or death. Heroin is often mixed with domestic household substances and other additives which can be harmful.
Long term: Heroin is highly addictive and larger and more frequent doses may be needed to feel 'normal'. Injecting can damage veins; sharing needles can spread hepatitis and HIV.
Legal status
Class A
Category
Depressant
Ketamine
Also known as: K, Special K, Vitamin K, Ket, Horsey
What it looks like and how it's taken
Usually comes in the form of a white powder (sometimes in tablet form, sold as ecstasy) or a liquid. Can be swallowed, inhaled or injected.
Immediate effects
A powerful anaesthetic used on humans and animals, it can produce 'out of body' experiences, numbness and hallucinations.
Risks
Short term: Can cause problems with vision, loss of coordination, and frightening hallucinations that require assistance and reassurance from others. it's particularly dangerous if used in combination with depressants such as alcohol or heroin. It can make some mental health problems worse.
Long term: Prolonged use can cause disorientation and detachment from reality but the long-term effects are not well understood.
Legal status
Class C.
Category
Hallucinogen
Khat
Also known as: Quat, Qat, Qaadka, Chat
What it looks like and how it's taken
Khat is a leaf which is chewed over a number of hours.
Immediate effects
Acts as a stimulant and can increase feelings of alertness and make users feel more talkative. It also acts as an appetite suppressant.
Risks
Short term: It can increase feelings of anxiety and aggression. Some users find it makes them very irritable, in some cases extremely angry and even violent. Anyone suffering from pre-existing mental health problems should avoid using Khat.
Long term: Frequent users may develop insomnia, heart problems and sexual problems like impotence.
Legal status
Although not illegal in the United Kingdom, Khat is illegal in many other countries including the United States. Khat contains the substances Cathine and Cathinone, which become Class C drugs when prepared for use.
Category
Stimulant.
LSD
Also known as: Acid, Trips, Tabs
What it looks like and how it's taken
Comes in small squares of paper, often printed with designs, or as tiny tablets called microdots and dots. Tablets are swallowed. It is a myth that LSD can be absorbed through the skin from transfers.
Immediate effects
Hallucination—the 'trip'. Starts within an hour and can last 8 - 12 hours or longer. Surroundings seem altered, colours brighter, sounds different, movement and time may seem distorted.
Risks
Short term: Trips cannot be controlled or stopped. A bad trip can be terrifying, which requires help and reassurance from others. Mental health problems can be triggered and existing conditions made worse.
Long term: Users may have 'flashbacks' where they relive a trip without taking the drug again.
Legal status
Class A.
Category
Hallucinogen.
Magic Mushrooms
Also known as: Shrooms, Mushies
What it looks like and how it's taken
Grow wild throughout Ireland in the autumn and are eaten raw, dried, cooked in food, or stewed into a tea.
Immediate effects
Similar to LSD but the trip is usually milder and shorter, often lasting about 4 hours. However, this dependant on the dose, whether they are fresh or dry and how they have been taken.
Risks
Short term: Stomach pains, sickness and diarrhoea. Poisoning by eating wrong kind of mushroom by mistake. Can complicate mental illnesses.
Legal status
Class A
Category
Hallucinogen.
Mephedrone
Also known as: 4MMC, Meph, M-cat, Magic, Plant Food
Similar substances: Methylone, Methedrone, Bubbles
What it looks like and how it's taken
These substances are part of the 'cathinone' group of drugs. Cathinone is a naturally occurring stimulant found in the khat plant and cathinones are a group of drugs related to amphetamine compounds like ecstasy. Cathinone derivatives such as mephedrone and MCAT come in capsules and powders and are sometimes mixed with other cathinones and caffeine. They are usually snorted or swallowed.
Immediate effects
Effects are those of a stimulant somewhat like MDMA. It may produce euphoria, alertness, talkativeness and feelings of empathy. But also anxiety and paranoid states in some.
Risks
Short term: Severe nosebleeds have been reported after snorting as well as anxiety and paranoia. There is also the risk of over-stimulating the heart and the nervous system, which would increase the chances of having a fit.
Long term: Some reports say it can be compulsive to use and create a state of psychological dependence. It has recently been made illegal in a number of countries due to growing evidence of harms, including a reported possible cause of death in Sweden in 2008.
Legal status
mephedrone and related cathinones became Class B substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 on 16 April 2010.
Category
Stimulant
Methadone
Also known as: Meth, Linctus
What it looks like and how it's taken
Comes as a green, amber or blue mixture liquid, or as white tablets. Usually swallowed.
Immediate effects
Effects similar to heroin, although less intense but longer acting.
Risks
Short term: Drug overdose, possibly leading to coma or death, if taken by someone not used to the drug. Methadone should only be taken as part of a prescribed and supervised programme to treat addiction to opiate drugs, especially heroin.
Long term: Methadone can be addictive, and it should never be given or sold to someone else.
Legal status
If possessed without a prescription or supplied illegally, classified as Class A.
Category
Depressant.
Methamphetamine
Also known as: Crystal Meth, Crazy Medicine, Ice, Zip, Yaba, Go-Fast, Cristy, Tina, Chalk, Crank, Shabu, Glass
What it looks like and how it's taken
Methamphetamine usually takes the form of a white odourless and bitter-tasting crystalline powder, readily soluble in water or alcohol. It can be smoked, injected intravenously, snorted or digested orally. It is known as Ice when in a crystal-like rock form and Yaba when in tablet form, usually red, orange but sometimes green. Methamphetamine is still relatively rare in Ireland.
Immediate effects
Immediately after smoking or injecting, users experience a rush that lasts only a few minutes. Small amounts of methamphetamine can produce euphoria, wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite and increased respiration. The user may also experience powerful hallucinations.
Risks
Short term: The drug can cause disturbing hallucinations and make the user extremely paranoid. One of the nastier and most common hallucinations is 'speed bugs' or 'crank bugs' where users think bugs are crawling under their skin and go frantic trying to get them out.
Long term: Regular use is linked to lung and kidney disorders. Coming off the drug can lead to severe depression and suicidal urges.
Legal status
Methamphetamine is a form of amphetamine and currently sits within Class A.
Category
Stimulant.
Naphyrone
Also known as: NRG-1, NRG1, Energy-1, Energy1, Rave
Similar substances: Methylone, Methedrone, Amphetamine, Speed, MDMA
What it looks like and how it's taken
Naphyrone is a fine white or off-white/yellow powder – usually snorted like cocaine or swallowed ‘bombed’ in wraps of paper.
Naphyrone is a stimulant drug closely related to ‘cathinone derivatives’ including mephedrone, a group of drugs that are ‘cousins’ of the family of amphetamine compounds which include amphetamine itself (speed), methamphetamine and ecstasy (MDMA), among many others.
When sold over the internet, it was often described as a plant food, research chemicals or bath salts, and not for human consumption.
Immediate effects
Effects are those of a stimulant somewhat like MDMA. It may produce euphoria, alertness, talkativeness and feelings of empathy. But also anxiety and paranoid states in some.
Risks
Naphyrone does not have a long history of use, so there is little evidence of its long term effects or on the risks from using it. However, due to its similarity to other ‘cathinone derivatives’, naphyrone is likely to share the same risks such as anxiety, paranoia, overstimulation of the heart and circulatory system and overexcitation of the nervous system (with the risk of fits).
The high potency of naphyrone by comparison with other cathinones like mephedrone suggests that it is likely to be associated with a higher risk of accidental overdose.
Legal status
Naphyrone was controlled as a Class B drug on the 23rd July 2010 meaning it is illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to five years in jail. Supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you up to fourteen years in jail and an unlimited fine.
Category
Stimulant.
Nicotine
What it looks like and how it's taken
Cigarettes, pipes, cigars, loose tobacco, chewing tobacco. Is smoked or chewed.
Immediate effects
Acts fast, first increasing alertness then producing a sense of relaxation.
Associated paraphernalia
Rolling papers, filters.
Risks
Short term: Nicotine addiction can develop quite rapidly and regular smokers often feel anxious and irritable if unable to smoke. Smoking can restrict growth in young people.
Long term: Other chemicals in tobacco cause lung cancer and stomach diseases, heart disease, circulation problems, wrinkled skin and premature ageing.
Legal status
It is illegal for retailers to sell tobacco to anyone under 18.
Category
Stimulant
PMA
Also known as: Chicken Yellow, Chicken Fever, Double Stacked, Killer
What it looks like and how it's taken
Usually a white tablet which is unusually thick compared to ecstasy, hence the name 'Double-Stacked'. PMA is swallowed.
Immediate effects
Users report experiencing similar effects to ecstasy although effects last substantially stronger.
Risks
Short term: PMA affects the body's temperature control and as it is stronger than Ecstasy the risk of overheating is much greater. Users require immediate help if they feel their temperature soaring on the dance floor and anyone with a heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a very dangerous reaction to the drug. Frequent use can also bring on paranoia and depression.
Long term: As PMA is a drug is quite a new drug, long term risks have not yet been established, but it is thought that they are likely to be similar to the risks associated with Ecstasy.
Legal status
Class A.
Category
Stimulant.
Piperazines
Also known as: BZP, Party Pills, Fast Lane, Silver Bullet, Smiley's, Happy Pills, Pep
What it looks like and how it's taken
Piperazines are a broad class of chemical compounds used widely in human and veterinary medicines. The best-known recreational stimulants are BZP (Benzylpiperazine), TFMPP, DBZP and mCPP, which mimic the effects of ecstasy. They are also used in industry to make plastics, resins, pesticides, brake fluid and a variety of materials and products. Some piperazine compounds act as effective worming agents for pets and farm animals. BZP can come in different coloured pill form and is also sold as an off-white powder, in capsules and as a liquid.
Immediate effects
The stimulant effects of BZP are similar to ecstasy but dose for dose BZP is not as potent. Effects can last for 6 – 8 hours. With decreased appetite and sleeplessness. Users often suffer a severe hangover-like reaction that can last for up to 24 hours.
Risks
Short term: Agitation, vomiting, stomach pain, fits, irregular heart rhythms, diarrhoea, allergic reactions and fever have all been reported.
Long term: BZP is a stimulant drug, which makes it particularly risky if taken by anyone suffering from high blood pressure or a heart condition. Perfectly healthy young people can have a fit or heart attack after taking stimulant drugs. And you may not know that you have a pre-existing heart condition. ??Mixing BZP with amphetamines (like ecstasy and speed) and alcohol can be very dangerous. In rare cases users may suffer from serotonin syndrome, which can cause high blood pressure and may be fatal.
Legal Status
Benzylpiperazine (BZP) became a class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in December 2009.
Category
Stimulant.
Solvents
Also known as: Glue, Gas, Aerosols
What it looks like and how it's taken
Butane gas cigarette lighter refills, disposable cigarette lighters, aerosol sprays (hairsprays, air fresheners), whipped cream cans and glue tins or tubes. Sniffed or breathed in through a cloth or sleeve. It has been known for Gas to be squirted straight into the back of the throat.
Immediate effects
Similar to being very drunk. Users feel dizzy, giggly and light-headed. Some hallucinate. Effects last from a few minutes to 30 minutes.
Associated paraphernalia
Plastic bag.
Risks
Short term: Hangover for a day or two. Nausea, vomiting, blackouts, bad cough, spots/sores around mouth, persistent cold and heart problems. Inhaling with a plastic bag can cause suffocation. It is extremely dangerous to squirt gas into the mouth as this can cause sudden death. Sometimes people's hearts stop beating if they have been sniffing solvents.
Long term: Damage to brain, liver, kidneys, nervous system, lungs and reproductive organs.
Legal status
It is illegal for retailers to sell butane gas refills to anyone under 18. Also illegal for solvents to be supplied to people of any age in the knowledge that they are to be abused.
Category
Depressant.
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Also known as: Spice
What it looks like and how it is taken
Products like 'Spice' are likely to contain synthetic cannabinoids which is a chemical produced to mimic the psychoactive effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active compound in cannabis. Herbal smoking mixtures tend to be a mix of inert plant ingredients that are sprayed with synthetic cannabinoid compounds. There is nothing natural or herbal about these compounds, they are man-made.
Immediate effects
Synthetic cannabinoids mimic the psychoactive effects of THC and so the effects - good and bad - are likely to be very similar to cannabis.
Risks
Short term: The chemical composition and ingredients of herbal products like ‘Spice' are changing all the time, and there are a wide range of possible synthetic cannabinoids that could be used, which is why you can never be sure what you're getting or how it will affect you.
Long term: Regular use of products containing stronger synthetic cannabinoids may increase the risk of later developing psychotic illnesses including schizophrenia.
Experts are concerned that 'Spice' products containing synthetic cannabinoids have the potential to be more harmful than cannabis due to the way they are made and because the compounds present and there potency will be unknown to the user.
Legal status
Synthetic Cannabinoids ('Spice') became a class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in December 2009.
Category
Hallucinogen.
Tranquillisers
Also known as: Jellies, Tranx, Benzos. Trade names:Valium, Librium, Mogadon, Diazepam, Nitrazepam, Temazepam
What it looks like and how it's taken
Tablets or capsules. Can be swallowed or injected.
Immediate effects
Relieves anxiety and tension. Calms users and slows them down. High doses can make users drowsy and forgetful.
Risks
Short term: Dangerous mixed with alcohol or other drugs.
Long term: Regular use can damage short term memory and reduce energy. Almost all tranquillisers are addictive. Withdrawal symptoms include depression, insomnia and panic attacks.
Legal status
If possessed without a prescription or supplied illegally, classified as Class C.
Category
Depressant.
