We have taught our teens about drugs and the side effects and they may even know someone who has tried drugs. When you talk about drugs, teens know that you are talking about cocaine, crack, heroin, marijuana and alcohol and are used to hearing about them.

However, here are some facts about the new class of drugs called designer drugs and how to keep your teens safe from them.

The Sad Truth

The drugs mentioned above are illegal. Using, selling or even possessing them will get you jailed. These types of drugs are imported into the country from other places and sold on the streets.

There are now other drugs that have gone high tech. These drugs are created by chemists to replace the drugs that are illegal so that people who use them or sell them can stay out of jail and/or still stay in business.

Designer drugs have been created to mimic the effects of illegal drugs. Their chemical make-up is tweaked so that they don’t contain any illegal substances. Another name for these drugs is “party drugs.” This is where most people encounter them for the first time. Unfortunately, they also encounter the awful side effects.

Toxic chemicals are used to manufacture them and many of these chemicals are often still present in the drug. That includes formaldehyde, phenylacetic acid and others. Formaldehyde isn’t used to preserve animals any longer because of its toxicity, which has been known to cause cancer.

Those who take these designer drugs experience the same euphoric effects as illegal drugs, but with a twist. The first time these drugs are tested is when they are given to unsuspecting drug users who think they are getting one thing but are really being slipped another. Since party drugs are not the real thing, kids think they are safe to use, but too much of a chemical can turn the entire batch deadly, with even just one snort or swallowing of a pill.

The results are devastating and many have died from using party drugs. Taking too much can result in unconsciousness, convulsions and death. The manufacturing process has moved from professional chemists to household kitchens and apartments. The problem is that many of the chemicals needed are purchased separately without raising suspicion.

Here is a condensed list of some designer drugs. You may have heard of most of them:

* Crystal Meth
* Ecstasy (MDMA)
* LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
* GHB (Gamma hydroxybutyrate)
* China White
* Ketamine (animal tranquilizer)

Some of these are stimulants and others relax you into a state that creates an “out of body” experience. Unfortunately, many of these designer drugs are derivatives of anesthetics and without observation, can depress heart rate and breathing. Hallucinations, anxiety, euphoria and changes in behavior can lead to violence, accidents and death.

Laws have been enacted to make them illegal to produce and use. Know the facts about designer drugs and inform your children about them.

One risk that teens face is the threat of drugs. Here are some facts about drugs and their side effects.

Talking to Teens about Drugs

First of all, know that the scare tactics don’t work. You can’t scare or bully your teen into not getting involved with drugs. What you can do is place the facts in front of them, be honest, and then believe that they will make the right decision.

It is never too early to talk about drugs. Children are exposed to drugs, alcohol and sex at an earlier age these days. When you try to keep it from them, they will ask their friends, who probably know as little as they do. Step up and give them the opportunity to ask questions of you so that they understand all the ramifications.

Popular Drugs and Side Effects

When it comes to talking about drugs, your children will have questions. Begin the dialogue about drugs and see where that leads you in your conversation. Here are some facts about the drugs on the street these days and what they can do:

* Heroin – This drug comes from the opium plant. It is extracted from the dried milk of the opium poppy. Highly addictive, heroin is injected, smoked or inhaled. It has different street names (horse, smack). A small dose can leave you feeling euphoric as if you have left your body. However, once you come down from your high, you may feel drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and cramps. It is easy to overdose if you are not careful.

* Cocaine – It is also called snow, crack and nose candy. Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the cocoa plant. It can be inhaled, smoked or injected. The drug is mixed or cut with other substances to gain the purest drug. Some of these chemicals that cocaine can be laced with can lead to overdose or a bad experience (trip) that can leave you physically and mentally damaged. Crack cocaine is a stimulant that can lead to heart attacks even in first-time users.

* Alcohol – This is classified as a drug even though it is not illegal. If you are under 21, you are not allowed to buy it, but many teens find ways around that. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. Driving under the influence is one of the number one killers of teenagers. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning and possibly death.

* Designer drugs – This list includes Ecstasy, PCP, LSD, GHB and crystal meth. They were created to give the same feelings as the drugs above without using illegal substances. These drugs have proved just as deadly, as a bad batch can lead to brain damage and death.

* Cough medicine – Over-the-counter medications are being used to get high. The active ingredient, dextromethorphan, can lead to paranoia, dizziness as well as an “out of body” experience some kids are looking for. Chronic usage can lead to brain damage, seizures and possible death.

Teens take drugs for different reasons. Talking to them about drugs and their side effects before they get interested can be a deterrent to ever trying them.

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