False! Weed has the same toxic chemicals as cigarettes – but at higher concentrations. One marijuana joint contains as much cancer-causing tar as four cigarettes. False! Many young people believe that club or designer drugs such as Ecstasy are safe. Tablet testing at raves has only fueled this misconception. Some foreign governments and private organizations in the U.S. have established Ecstasy testing at raves. Once the drug is tested for the presence of MDMA, it is returned to the user. This process leads partygoers to believe that the government has declared their pill safe to consume. But the danger of Ecstasy is the drug itself — not simply its purity level. Choice B. Cocaine and heroin. Choice C. GHB. Accidental overdose on larger amounts of GHB is not uncommon since the concentration of the drug is difficult to determine. GHB is a nervous system depressant. Small doses of GHB relax and sedate the body but can easily cause the user to become unconscious or to lapse into a coma. Combining even low doses of GHB with alcohol can be deadly, as alcohol multiplies the drug’s depressant effect. Choice D. Inhalants. Inhalants are anything you breathe in, like household solvents, aerosols, model airplane glue, nail polish remover, lighter and cleaning fluids, or gasoline. They also include aerosol cans, like whipped cream chargers and hairspray. Inhaling concentrated substances can induce irregular and rapid heart rhythms and lead to heart failure and death within minutes of use. Prolonged abuse of inhalants can cause permanent damage to the nervous system, which greatly impairs physical and mental capabilities. Choice A. Ketamine, Rohypnol and GHB. Small doses of these drugs relax and sedate the body. They are classified as date rape drugs because they’re relatively tasteless and odorless. Unsuspecting victims may not detect Ketamine or GHB when poured into a beverage. Once ingested, victims are vulnerable to attack. Choice C. LSD. This drug radically changes an individual’s mental state by distorting the perception of reality and producing behavioral changes that are often multiple and dramatic. Effects of LSD usually last from two to twelve hours. Users may also experience hallucinations, fusion of senses, diminished control over thought processes and distorted perceptions of time, distance and height. Many users experience bad “trips” consisting of fear, anxiety and depression. In some cases, terrifying hallucinations may lead to violence, homicide or suicide. Long-term users of LSD experience flashbacks which may involve visual hallucinations from past acid trips, apathy, low motivation and frustration. Choice A. PCP. Known for “killing” pain and creating a false sense of great strength, the drug makes users extremely dangerous to themselves and others. Using PCP can cause multiple and dramatic behavioral changes. Psychological effects include heightened alertness, out of body sensations, loss of inhibitions, failure to feel pain and may lead to aggressive and violent behavior. Choice C. Pharming (or trail mix) is the term used by some youth to describe the act of taking several prescription pills at once, to see what happens when they interact. This is a highly dangerous practice. The non-medical use of prescription drugs is a serious public health concern and can lead to abuse, addiction and death. Prescription drugs should only be used under the care of a doctor or pharmacist, and only after learning about possible side effects and understanding the potential interactions one medication may have with another. Mixing drugs (also called polydrug use) can be lethal. Choice B. Rohypnol. Rohypnol is physically and psychologically addictive, producing sedative effects that force the muscles to relax and slow the response time of the central nervous system. One milligram can impair an individual for eight to twelve hours. It is most commonly known as a “date-rape” drug because it is odorless, tasteless and can be unknowingly slipped into a beverage. Victims who have been drugged often awaken disoriented and suffer from memory loss. True! Does this sound to you like the war on drugs isn’t a success? The vast majority of people in the world do not choose to do drugs. Remember this when someone tries to make you feel like you’re the only one who’s not experimenting.