Hallucinogens Facts
Hallucinogens Facts
Hallucinogens Facts
What is LSD?
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamid) is a potent hallucinogen derived from lysergic acid. Lysergic acid can be found on ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. Commonly referred to as acid, a hit or dose can be found as tablets, capsules, clear liquid, thin squares of gelatin, or colorful paper dipped in LSD that is licked. Although colorless and odorless, LSD has a slight bitter taste. Blotter acid, which is absorbent paper soaked in LSD and sold as squares, can be obtained for $4 to $5 for a high or trip that lasts three to 12 hours. Other slang terms for LSD include Microdot, White Lightning, Blue Heaven, Windowpane, and Sugar Cubes. LSD is a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance with severe penalties for possession and use.
What is PCP?
Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties. The drug was previously used as an anesthetic in humans in the 1950s but discontinued because patients became agitated and disoriented after its use. The drug was also used as an animal tranquilizer but discontinued in 1979. Illegal supplies on the street are manufactured in clandestine labs where supplies are of dubious quality and may contain impurities. Among drug users,
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PCP can be found as a pure white, crystal-like powder, tablet, capsule, or bittertasting, clear liquid that is consumed orally, injected, sniffed, or smoked. PCP is often combined with marijuana and tobacco products. A study in Houston reported the use of fry, marijuana and tobacco products dipped in PCP-laced embalming fluid and smoked. Some slang terms for PCP include Angel Dust, Crystal, Jet Fuel, and Cyclone. In Texas, PCP is a Schedule I Controlled Substance with severe penalties for possession and use.
What is Ecstasy?
Ecstasy or MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a stimulant that combines the properties of methamphetamine or speed with mind-altering or hallucinogenic properties related to the hallucinogen, mescaline. Designer drugs are illicit variations of other drugs. Because of many different recipes used to manufacture Ecstasy, deaths have been caused by some other substances inadvertently created during production, such as PMA (paramethamphetamine). Known on the street as Adam, X-TC, Clarity, Essence, Stacy, Lovers Speed, Eve, etc., Ecstasy is most often found in tablet, capsule, or powder form and is usually consumed orally, although it can also be injected. Ecstasy is sometimes packaged in capsules or generic tablets to imitate prescription drugs with the average dose costing anywhere from $7 to $30 per pill. Ecstasy is illegal, and is classified as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance. For more information about Ecstasy, see Ecstasy: Just the Facts.
which can cause death or permanent liver damage within hours of ingestion. Some dealers sell edible mushrooms found at the grocery store laced with LSD or PCP as magic mushrooms. Psilocybin or Psilocin mushrooms are Schedule 1 Controlled Substances with severe penalties for possession and use.
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self-inflicted injuries. The use of hallucinogens can also unmask mental or emotional problems, like depression or schizophrenia.
Your regions TCADA Prevention Resource Center. Dial toll-free (888) PRC-TEXX to be connected to the center nearest you. Your local Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Other sources can be found at your local public library and in the yellow and blue pages of your phone book under Drug Abuse.
Access reliable information instantly from the Internet from the following sites: The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Informations home page has information on hallucinogens and other substances of abuse. <http://www.health.org> The National Institute on Drug Abuse has national statistics and the latest research findings available. <http://www.nida.nih.gov> The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has a drug database to help parents identify specific drugs, their effects, and drug paraphernalia. <http://www.drugfreeamerica.org>
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Sources
Hallucinogens
Drugs of Abuse. Washington, DC: Drug Enforcement Administration, 1996. <http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/contents.htm> Get It Straight: The Facts About Drugs. Drug Enforcement Administration and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. <http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/ straight/cover.htm> Johnson, Jay, and Jane Maxwell. TCADA Dictionary of Slang Terms. Austin, Tx: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 1997. <http://www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/slang/> Kemper, Bob and Carolyn Starks. Weed a Growing Risk to Teens. Hallucinogenic Jimson Reportedly Can Kill. Chicago Tribune. 9 Oct. 1997: 1. Kotarba, Joseph. The Rave Scene in Houston, Texas: An Ethnographic Analysis. TCADA Research Briefs. Austin, Tx: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 1993. <http://www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/houstonrave.pdf> LSD, PCP, Ecstasy and Ice. Its Your Business: Drug Awareness. American Council for Drug Education. LSD, PCP, Ketamine, Ecstasy, and Mushrooms. Drug Free Resource Net, Partnership for a Drug Free America. <http://www.drugfreeamerica.org> Maxwell, Jane. Substance Abuse Trends in Texas: December 1997. TCADA Research Briefs. Austin, TX: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 1997. <http://www.tcada.state.tx.us/research/trends/dec97/> Officials Report Wave of Teens Abusing Morning Glory Seeds. AustinAmerican Statesmen. Thursday, October 2, 1997: B2. The Straight Facts About Drugs and Alcohol. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information. <http://www.health.org/pubs/strafact/straight.htm> Tips for Teens About Hallucinogens. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. <http://www.health.org/pubs/tips/teenhall.htm> What You Can Do About Drug Use in America. Office for Substance Abuse Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1991. <http://www.health.org/pubs/drugamer/drugamer.htm>
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LSD
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide). NIDA Capsules. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, September 1997. <http://www.nida.nih.gov/ NIDACapsules/NCIndex.html> New LSD Screening Tests Yield Surprising Results. Forensic Drug Abuse Advisor, Vol. 9 (6) June/July 1997.
PCP
Clouet, Doris, H., ed. Phencyclidine: An Update. NIDA Research Monograph 64. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1986.
Where to Find Help
PCP (Phencyclidine). NIDA Capsules. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, September 1997. <http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDACapsules/ NCIndex.html> Tschirgi, Trent. Drug Information Database: General Information about Phencyclidine. Center for Substance Abuse Research, University of Maryland, Office of Substance Abuse Studies, 1990. <http://www.bsos.umd.edu/cesar/pcp.html> Elwood, William. Fry: A Study of Adolescents Use of Embalming Fluid with Marijuana and Tobacco. TCADA Research Briefs. Austin, TX: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 1998. <http://www.tcada.state.tx.us/ research/fry.html>
Ketamine
Ketamine: A Fact Sheet. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, The National Clearinghouse of Alcohol and Drug Information, 1998. <http://www.health.org/pubs/qdocs/ketamine/ketafact.htm> Ketamine Abuse Increasing. Intelligence Reports. Washington, DC: Drug Enforcement Administration, 4 February 1997. <http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/ programs/diverson/divpub/substanc/ketamine.htm> Ketamine: The Hot New Drug of Abuse. Forensic Drug Abuse Advisor. Vol. 9, Issue 6, June/July 1997. <http://www.inform.umd.edu/EdRes/Colleges/BSOS/ Depts/Cesar/drugs/KETA-ART.HTML> Tori, Steven P. Ketamine Abuse, Special K. Intelligence Report. Newtown, PA: Middle Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network, 1996.
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Ecstasy
Designer Drugs. NIDA Capsules. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, September 1997. <http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDACapsules/ NCDesigner.html> Drug Abuse and Drug Abuse Research. The Third Triennial Report to Congress from the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services. Rockville, Md.: National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1991. Mathias, Robert. Like Methamphetamine, Ecstasy May Cause Long-Term Brain Damage. NIDA Notes, Vol. 11, No. 5, November/December 1996. <http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNindex.html>
Where to Find Help
MDMA (Ecstasy). NIDA Capsules. Rockville, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse, July 1994. <http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDACapsules/NCIndex.html>
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