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DRUGS AND THEIR STREET NAMES

The word 'drug', as currently used, refers to a chemical substance which, after introduction into the body, alters the normal state of bodily functions. A drug may be taken orally, inhaled, or injected into the skin, muscle or a vein. 'Drugs' may be obtained legally from a doctor or chemist, or may be illicitly obtained. There is an overlap of terminology here, as some legally obtained drugs, such as Rohypnol®, may have an illicit street resale value.

Regardless of how acquired, drugs may be abused (misused) in terms of the recommended dose or purpose for which they were made. This leads to many problems including addiction, overdosage (see 'Drug overdose' and 'Overdose indicators'), side effects, and other general complications. The latter include poor general health and the spread of infectious disease such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV (see 'Hepatitis (A, B and C)' and 'HIV / AIDS').

The most commonly abused drugs are the psychotropic drugs, which act on the mind. The brain ('central nervous system') may be stimulated by stimulants and antidepressants, and depressed (slowed down) by sedatives. The brain may also be affected in other ways, for example by hallucinations (imagining things). In short, drugs may alter the mind, behaviour, thoughts, and mood.