DEPRESSANTS

● Also known as "downers", are any drug that reduces the functioning of the central nervous

system or any other part of the body.

● In small quantities it can cause the user to feel more relaxed and less inhibited.

● In larger quantities they can cause unconsciousness, vomiting and even death. Depressants

affect concentration and coordination. They slow down a person's ability to respond to

unexpected situations.

a. Street Names

Barbs, Benzos, Downers, Georgia Home Boy, GHB, Grievous Bodily Harm, Liquid X, Nerve Pills,

Phennies, R2, Reds, Roofies, Rophies, Tranks, Yellows.

nd produce profound sleep or stupor.

STAGES OF EFFECTS OF NARCOTICS

1. Stage of Excitement – Increase of mental activity, restlessness and even hallucination.

2. Stage of Stupor – Person becomes quiet, lethargic and can go to sleep.

3. Stage of Narcosis – Individuals feel relaxed, asleep, muscles flexible.

OPIATES

These are analgesic and sedative drugs that contain opium or an opium derivative from the poppy

plant (Papaver somniferum). Opiates include opium, morphine, and codeine.

COMMON OPIATES

OPIUM

● Narcotic drug produced from the drying resin of unripe capsules of the opium poppy,

Papaver Somniferum.

MORPHINE

● Principal derivative of opium. Its name was derived from the name “Morpheus”, the Greek

god of dreams.

HEROIN

● It is derived from morphine. It is three to five times more powerful than morphine from which

it is derived and the most addicting opium derivative.

CODEINE

● A component of opium and a derivative of morphine, in most respects a tenth or less as

effective as morphine. It is widely used as an ingredient in cough syrup.

PAREGORIC

● A tincture of opium mixed with camphor. Used as a cure for diarrhea and abdominal pain.

ia and lowers inhibitions, it has been used by sexual

predators to lower the defenses of their victims.

ALCOHOL

● The #1 abused substance. Nearly a quarter of the population participates in binge drinking

(58.6 million), and 6.7% of the population reported heavy drinking (16.9 million). As a

depressant, alcohol produces impaired coordination and judgment, slurred speech, and

blackouts.

● The king of all drugs with potential for abuse.

METHAQUALONE (Quaalude,® Mandrax®)

● Methaqualone was developed in India in 1955 as a safe barbiturate substitute. The

disinhibitory effect is

similar to that caused by alcohol and can last 60 to 90 minutes; the sedating effects last 6 to 10

hours.

In 1984 it was classified as a Schedule I drug.

ROHYPNOL®

● Rohypnol® is a trade name for flunitrazepam, a CNS depressant that belongs to a class of

drugs known as benzodiazepines. Flunitrazepam is also marketed as generic preparations

and other trade name products outside of the United States.

● Like other benzodiazepines, Rohypnol® produces sedative-hypnotic, anti-anxiety, and

muscle relaxant effects. This drug has never been approved for medical use in the United

States by the Food and Drug Administration. Outside the United States, Rohypnol® is

commonly prescribed to treat insomnia. Rohypnol® is also referred to as a “date rape” drug