2.4.2
Illegal Drug Effects and Schedules
What follows is a list of some of the more “common” (“notorious” might be a better word) illegal substances along with their Schedule assignment; more important, though, is what these substances can do to you:
| Common Name | Schedule | Effects |
| Marijuana/Pot/Weed | I | Euphoria then relaxation. Slow reaction time & poor balance/coordination. Symptoms worsen when combined with alcohol. This also increases heart rate/blood pressure. Long term potential for respiratory infections, chronic cough, and even mental health problems. |
| Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Lunesta, Ambien) | IV | Drowsiness/dizziness, poor speech and concentration. Lower blood pressure and slower breathing rate. Can be used in date rape situations. |
| Cocaine, Coke, Crack | II | Increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Headache, abdominal pain, nausea, increased alertness and energy along with anxiety and insomnia. Erratic behavior including violence. Heart attack, stroke, seizure, coma. Long term loss of smell, weight loss, damaged lungs and nasal passages ( from snorting). |
| Heroin | I | Euphoria, dry mouth, itching, nausea, vomiting, slower breathing and heart rate. Long term collapsed veins, infections in heart valve or heart lining, pneumonia, liver/kidney disease. |
| LSD (Acid) | I | Rapid mood swings, loss of reality, no rational thought or communication, high blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Dizziness, tremors, no appetite. Long term flashbacks, visual distortions, paranoia, disorganized thought, mood swings. |
| MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly) | I | Loss of inhibition, increase in blood pressure & heart rate, muscle tension, nausea, faintness, chills. Sharp rise in body temperature, enough to cause kidney failure/death. Long term confusion/depression, inability to pay attention, anxiety, memory and sleep problems. Can decrease the effects of alcohol but the alcohol and MDMA can result in neurotoxicity (damage to nerve tissue). |
| PCP (Angel Dust) | II | Paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. Anxiety and problems thinking, sense of distance from your environment. Increase heart rate and blood pressure. Increased breathing rate and shallow breathing. Redness in face, numbness in extremities. Long term memory loss, speech/thinking problems, loss of appetite. |
| Psilocybin (mushrooms) | I | Hallucinations, no concept of time or reality, muscle weakness, panic, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting. Long term flashbacks/memory issues. |
| Synthetic Cathinones (bath salts) | I Some blends outright banned | Euphoria/sociability, increased heart rate & blood pressure, paranoia, agitation, violence. Irritability, depression, nausea, sweating, dizziness, cloudy thinking. Long term use leads to death. |
| Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice) | I | Increased heart rate and blood pressure, agitation, confusion, paranoia, hallucinations. |
| Steroids (anabolic) Performance Enhancement | III | Oily skin/acne, fluid retention in extremities, yellowing skin, infection. Long term, kidney/liver damage, enlarged heart, high blood pressure and risk of stroke/heart attack, irritability/aggression, impaired judgment. |
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/commonly-used-drugs-charts#CannabisMarijuanaPotWeed
What you have in the chart above are the most commonly abused drugs. Basically, they provide no medical benefit (except for the Benzodiazepines when used as directed). Take a close look at the symptoms that can be brought about by these substances (not every individual will experience every symptom, but is it worth the risk?). How many of these symptoms are something you want to feel? Even more important, how many of these symptoms are compatible with operating a motor vehicle? Remember, once you are under the influence of these drugs, you are not likely able to stop using them. The best prevention here is to say no to taking any or all of these substances before there is any chance of your being affected (harmed) by them. The best defense is to simply steer clear.
By the way, have you ever heard the term “controlled substance?”
A controlled substance is simply a drug that is on one of the 5 schedules you read about because it must be regulated. Again, there is little to no medical benefit from taking many of these drugs.