NARCOTICS

Effects

Narcotics initially produce a feeling of euphoria that often is followed by drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Users also may experience constricted pupils, watery eyes, and itching. An overdose may produce slow and shallow breathing, clammy skin, convulsions, coma, and possibly death.

Tolerance to narcotics develops rapidly and dependence is likely. The use of contaminated syringes may result in diseases such as AIDS, endocarditis, and hepatitis. Addiction in pregnant women can lead to premature, stillborn, or addicted infants who experience severe withdrawal symptoms.

TypeWhat is it called?What does it
look like?
How is it used?
HeroinSmack Horse Brown Sugar Junk Mud Big H Black TarPowder, white to dark brown Tar-like substanceInjected Inhaled through nasal passages Smoked
MethadoneDolophine Methadose AmidoneSolutionTaken orally Injected
CodeineEmpirin compound with Codeine Tylenol withCodeine Codeine Codeine in cough medicinesDark liquid varying in thickness Capsules TabletsTaken orally Injected
MorphinePectoral syrupWhite crystals Hypodermic tablets Injectable solutionsInjected Taken orally Smoked
MeperidinePethidine Demerol MeperganWhite powder Solution TabletsTaken orally Injected
OpiumParegoric Dover's Powder ParepectolinDark brown chunks PowderSmoked Eaten
Other NarcoticsPercocet Percodan Tussionex Fentanyl Darvon Talwin LomotilTablets Capsules LiquidTaken orally Injected

DESIGNER DRUGS

Effects

Illegal drugs are defined in terms of their chemical formulas. To circumvent these legal restrictions, underground chemists modify the molecular structure of certain illegal drugs to produce analogs known as designer drugs. These drugs can be several hundred times stronger than the drugs they are designed to imitate.

The narcotic analogs can cause symptoms such as those seen in Parkinson's disease—uncontrollable tremors, drooling, impaired speech, paralysis, and irreversible brain damage. Analogs of amphetamines and methamphetamines cause nausea, blurred vision, chills or sweating, and faintness. Psychological effects include anxiety, depression, and paranoia. As little as one dose can cause brain damage. The analogs of phencyclidine cause illusions, hallucinations, and impaired perception.

TypeWhat is it called?What does it
look like?
How is it used?
Analogs of Fentanyl (Narcotic)Synthetic Heroin China WhiteWhite powder resembling heroinInhaled through nasal passages Injected
Analogs of Meperidine (Narcotic)Synthetic Heroin MPTP (New Heroin) MPPP PEPAPWhite powderInhaled through nasal passages Injected
Analogs of Amphetamines and Methamphetamines (Hallucinogens)MDMA (Ecstasy, XTC, Adam, Essence) MDM STP PMA 2, 5-DMA TMA DOM DOBWhite powder Tablets CapsulesTaken orally Injected Inhaled through nasal passages
Analogs of Phencyclidine (PCP) (Hallucinogens)PCPy PCE TCPWhite powderTaken orally Injected Smoked