 |
The impacts of illicit drug use in the community include premature death, crime, mental health disorders, transmission of HIV/AIDS and other blood borne viruses. For information on the types of illicit drugs:
For information about Queensland alcohol and other drug treatment programs and services visit Treatment Programs
Further information about illicit drugs is also available at the Australian Drug Foundation - Illegal Drugs.
Try your luck at What's the buzz and see how much you know about methamphetamine.
Cannabis is a drug that comes from the plant 'cannabis sativa'. It is a depressant, which means it slows down the body's central nervous system.
The active chemical in cannabis is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the part that gives the high when consumed.
It comes in three main forms – marijuana (dried flowers and leaves), hasish/hash (resin) and hasish oil. It is known by a number of names including 'grass', 'pot', 'weed', 'dope', 'mull' and 'ganja', amongst many others.
For further information and resources about cannabis:
Amphetamine and methamphetamines are central nervous system stimulants.
In powder form these drugs are often called 'speed', 'goey' or 'whiz' and the paste form is often called 'base' or 'paste', among other names. All forms of methamphetamine are synthetically made and chemically related.
For further information and resources visit the Australian Drug Foundation -Amphetamines.
Cocaine is a stimulant made from processing leaves of the coca plant and usually comes in powder form. Cocaine can be 'cut' or mixed with other substances including glucose, lactose and baking powder.
Cocaine is known as 'coke', 'charlie', 'snow', 'blow' and other names. 'Crack' is a form of freebase cocaine (where hydrochloride is removed through a chemical process).
For further information and resources visit the Australian Drug Foundation - Cocaine.
Ecstasy is a man-made drug that has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. It is often called 'e', 'pills', 'eccy' or 'eggs'.
The active ingredient in ecstasy is MDMA (3,4-methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine), however, often ecstasy tablets or powder don't actually contain any MDMA. More often than not they are made from methamphetamine, sometimes mixed with ketamine or other substances.
Ecstasy may also contain or be made from PMA, MDA ("Adam") or MDEA ("Eve"), all related amphetamine-type drugs.
For further information and resources visit the Australian Drug Foundation - Ecstasy.
Hallucinogenic drugs are also known as 'psychedelics'. They change the way a person perceives the world, affecting the senses, altering thinking, sense of time and emotions.
There are many kinds of hallucinogens including LSD, magic mushrooms and PCP. cstasy and cannabis can have hallucinogenic effects in high doses.
For further information and resources visit the Australian Drug Foundation - Hallucinogens.
Heroin is one of a group of drugs called 'opioids'. Other opiods include opium, morphine, codeine, pethidine, oxycodone, buprenorphine and methadone.
Opioids are depressants, which mean they slow down the body's central nervous system. Opioids are made from the resin of the seedpod of the opium poppy. Many forms of opioids are used for medical purposes, mostly for pain relief.
Heroin is an illegal opioid made from morphine or codeine by a chemical process. The potency and purity of heroin can be varied.
For further information and resources visit the Australian Drug Foundation - Heroin.
Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants and are prescribed by doctors to relieve stress and anxiety, and to help people sleep.
Common benzodiazepines include valium, serepax, mogadon, normison. People can use benzodiazepines illegally to become intoxicated.
For further information and resources visit the Australian Drug Foundation - Benzodiazepines.
