Commonly Seen
Substances
Not sure what you’re dealing with? Educate yourself on the various types of harmful substances often used in and around King County.
Key Substances
Drug Prevention Starts With Education
Amphetamines
A prescription stimulant used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that can be abused to stay awake or suppress appetites. Chronic abuse produces a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia: paranoia, hallucinations, violent and erratic behavior.
Benzodiazepines
This medication is a depressant that causes sedation, induces sleep, relieves anxiety, and prevents seizures. Misuse of this substance often creates a sense of euphoria/hallucination and overdose can be fatal.
Cocaine
This crystalline powder is derived from coca leaves. Cocaine, also known as “crack,” is smoked or injected to induce an intense euphoric “rush.” Tolerance with this substance builds quickly, making it easy to overdose.
DXM /
Dextromethorphan
Found in many over-the-counter cough suppressant medications, DXM is abused to alter time perception and cause hallucinations. High doses of DXM used with alcohol or other drugs, including antidepressants, can cause death.
Ecstasy / MDMA /
Molly
Known as the party drug, ecstasy can come in various forms of pills and powder to cause increased motor activity, hallucinations, and euphoria. It can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), which can lead to liver, kidney, and cardiovascular failure and death.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s 80-100 times stronger than morphine and is often added to heroin to increase its potency, or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Improper use of this substance can cause an intense, short-term high that can lead to nausea, fainting, seizures, and death.
GHB / Gamma-
Hydroxybutyric Acid
This substance is medically prescribed as xyrem, but as a mistreated substance, it is known as the “date rape drug,” which dissolves in beverages as a powder or liquid. This addictive substance can lead to hallucinations, euphoria, drowsiness, decreased anxiety, excitement, and aggressive behavior.
Heroine
This opiate narcotic drug is made from morphine and extracted from certain poppy plants. Heroine is a highly addictive drug that causes an intense euphoric rush and a twilight state of being. Physical symptoms of use include drowsiness, respiratory depression, constricted pupils, nausea, a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and heavy extremities.
Marijuana
Also known as “weed,” this mind-altering psychoactive drug is made from the cannabis sativa plant. It is known to cause euphoria and increase appetite, among other side effects including difficulty in problem-solving, anxiety, and impaired judgment.
Methamphetamine
More commonly known as “meth,” this highly addictive stimulant speeds up the body’s system and comes in a pill and powder form. High doses can cause convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, stroke, or death.
Morphine
This drug is a non-synthetic narcotic (opioid) made from opium, prescribed as Kadian, among other prescription names. While it’s effective for pain relief, it’s incredibly addictive and can cause lowered blood pressure and slow pulse rate, coma, and possible death.
Oxycodone
This semi-synthetic opioid drug is prescribed for pain as Tylox, Percodan, and OxyContin. This drug is addictive, and overuse can induce feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and pain relief. Chronic use of oxycodone with acetaminophen may cause severe liver damage.
Psilocybin
These hallucinogenic chemicals are obtained from certain fresh and dried mushrooms that cause panic attacks, hallucination, and muscle weakness when used in large doses. Overdose may result in psychosis or death.
Spice/ K2 /
Synthetic Marijuana
This synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is found in marijuana, is a combination of plant material sprayed with synthetic psychoactive chemicals. It usually resembles potpourri and is dangerous for human consumption.
