1. Change in school or work attendance or performance.

2. Alteration of personal appearance.

3. Mood swings or attitude changes.

4. Withdrawal from responsibilities/family contact.

5. Association with drug-using peers.

6. Unusual patterns of behavior.

7. Defensive attitude concerning drugs.

Alcohol (beer, wine, liquor)

Physical Symptoms

Intoxication, slurred speech, unsteady walk, relaxation, relaxed inhibitions, impaired coordination, slowed reflexes

Look For

Smell of alcohol on clothes or breath, intoxicated behavior, hangover, glazed eyes

Dangers

Addiction, accidents due to impaired ability and judgment, overdose when mixed with other depressants, heart and liver damage

Cocaine (coke, rock, crack, base)

Physical Symptoms

Brief euphoria, elevated blood pressure and heart rate, restlessness, excitement, feeling of well-being followed by depression

Look For

Glass vials, glass pipe, white crystalline powder, razor blades, syringes, needle marks

Dangers

Addiction, heart attack, seizures, lung damage, severe depression, paranoia

Marijuana (pot, dope, weed, grass, hash, joint, blunt)

Physical Symptoms

Altered perceptions, red eyes, dry mouth, reduces concentration, and coordination, euphoria, laughing, hunger

Look For

Rolling papers, pipes, dried plant material, odor of burnt hemp rope, roach clips

Dangers

Anxiety, loss of motivation, impaired short-term memory and learning, slowed thinking and reactions, addiction

Hallucinogens (acid, LSD, PCP, MDMA, Ecstasy, E, Ketamine, psilocybin mushrooms, peyote)

Physical Symptoms

Altered mood and perceptions, focus on detail, anxiety, panic, nausea, synesthesia (ex: smell colors, see sounds)

Look For

Capsules, tablets, “microdots”, blotter squares

Dangers

Unpredictable behavior, emotional instability, violent behavior (with PCP)

Inhalants (gas, aerosols, glue, nitrites, Rush, correction fluid, paint)

Physical Symptoms

Nausea, dizziness, headaches, lack of coordination and control

Look For

Odor of substance on clothing and breath, intoxication, drowsiness, poor muscular control, flushed skin

Dangers

Unconsciousness, suffocation, nausea and vomiting, damage to brain and central nervous system, sudden death

Narcotics (heroin, junk, dope, black tar, OxyContin, Demerol, morphine, codeine)

Physical Symptoms

Euphoria, drowsiness, insensitivity to pain, nausea, vomiting, watery eyes, runny nose

Look For

Needle marks on arms, needles, syringes, spoons, pipes, pinpoint pupils, cold moist skin

Dangers

Addiction, lethargy, weight loss, contamination from unsterile needles (hepatitis, AIDS), accidental overdose

Stimulants (speed, uppers, crack, ice, Ritalin, crystal, meth, amphetamines, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine)

Physical Symptoms

Alertness, talkativeness, wakefulness, increased blood pressure, loss of appetite, mood elevation

Look For

Pills and capsules, loss of sleep and appetite, irritability or anxiety, weight loss, hyperactivity

Dangers

Fatigue leading to exhaustion, addiction, paranoia, depression, confusion, possible hallucinations

Depressants (sedatives, tranquilizers, downers, ludes, Valium, alcohol)

Physical Symptoms

Depressed breathing and heartbeat, intoxication, drowsiness, uncoordinated movements

Look For

Capsules and pills, confused behavior, longer periods of sleep, slurred speech

Dangers

Possible overdose, especially with alcohol, muscle rigidity, addiction, withdrawal and overdose require medical treatment