Parents: look out for these drugs
It is virtually impossible to protect your child from being exposed to drugs but you can help protect him against drug abuse.
Health24
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Health24
The first step is to educate yourself. Here is a list of drugs that are commonly abused in South Africa.
Narcotics:
Non-synthetic narcotics: opium, heroin (rapidly on the increase in SA), morphine and codeine (found in most over the counter painkillers)
Synthetic narcotics: Wellconal, Pethadine and Physeptine Sedatives:
These have a calming, dulling effect on the central nervous system.
Barbiturates: Tuinal, Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal and Vesparax
Non-Barbiturates: Mandrax, Mogadon and Dalmadorm
Tranquilizers: Stellazine, Librium, Valium and Ativan
Stimulants:
These increase alertness and energy, and inhibit fatigue and sleep.
Cocaine: best-known and mostly used by the affluent
Appetite suppressants: Prescription - Obex and Tenuate, and over-the-counter - Nobese, Thinz and Redupon (most commonly abused by adolescents)
Nicotine (in cigarettes) and caffeine (in coffee) are also stimulants that can be abused.
Hallucinogens:
The use of these can result in visual distortions and hallucinations.
Marijuana: 'dagga', 'weed' or 'grass'
LSD: 'acid'
Inhalants:
These produce light-headedness and dizziness and can result in a loss of consciousness or death.Chloroform, ether, benzine, petrol, paint thinners, aerosols and some synthetic glues.
Methamphetamines and MDMA:
'Speed'; and Ecstasy (MDMA): a chemical relative of methamphetamine or speed, but which is free for the most part of the hallucinations that normally accompany these psychedelic drugs.