Say no to drug and substance abuse

The alarming increase in easy access to drugs and substance abuse is dramatically growing especially among young people in SA.

- Different people respond differently to the same drug.
- The more drugs you take the more you will have to feed the habit.
- It is not weak people who become drug users but drug users who become weak.
- Life can be tough but using drugs only makes it tougher.
- Look out for symptoms of drug abuse.
- If you are already using drugs seek help now before it’s too late.
- If you know of someone who needs help, call one for the SANCA officers.
- Say no to drugs.

SANCA (South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence)
011-482-1070 or www.sancanational.org.za

Some of the drugs sold in SA are CNS (central nervous system) stimulants – The two major types of abused CNS stimulants are Cocaine and Amphetamines.
Cocaine street names:
- Coke
- Snow
- Dust
Crack or Rock of Cocaine street names:
- Crack
- Rock
Methamphetamine street names:
- Speed
- Crank
- Meth

What are stimulants?
CNS stimulants are drugs that speed up the operation of the brain and spinal cord. It is important to emphasise that “speed up” does not mean “improve” or “enhance”. The brain stimulants definitely do not make the brain work better. Rather, they cause the brain and the rest of the nervous system to work harder, and often to make more mistakes.

Possible side effects
Stimulant users tend to become hyperactive, e.g. nervous, extremely talkative and unable to stand still. Stimulants also tend to release the user’s inhibition and to impair his / her ability to perceive time and distance. Persons under the influence of stimulants become easily confused and lose the ability to concentrate or to think clearly for any length of time, this could cause a driver to overreact and make wrong decisions.

Other side effects may include:
- Increased heart and respiratory rates.
- Elevated blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Decreased appetite