Key Facts

Provided below is a reference to the various drugs available out there (Source: From Grief to Action). This is only a brief (very brief) desciption of each drug, and there are more complexities than listed below. For more information, visit www.ftga.ca.

Alcohol

What it is: a depressant which slows down parts of the brain and nervous system

Effects: reduced concentration; slurred speech; blurred vision; lack of coordination and judgement; increased aggression; possible brain damage; possible overdose/unconsciousness; liver damage; heart/blood disorders; stomach inflammation; impotence; menstrual irregularity

Cannabis (marijuana, weed, pot, dope, grass, ganja, hashish)

What it is: a short name for the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa; what causes the high is the chemical called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

Effects: a feeling of well-being and lethargy; tendency to talk and laugh more; reddening of the eyes; impaired coordination; reduced concentration; lack of perception of time, sound, and colour; feelings of excitement, anxiety, paranoia, and confusion

Cocaine (cocaine hydrochloride, coke, blow, snow, flake)

What it is: a central nervous system stimulant, derived from leaves of coco plants; floods the brain with dopamine, a natural occuring neurotransmitter

Effects: feeling of euphoria and wellbeing; increased alertness and energy; increased confidence; reduced appetite; increased heart rate and body temperature; enlarged pupils; increased aggressive behaviour; inability to judge risks; headaches; dizziness; restlessness; loss of concentration; lack of motivation; heart pain; heart attack; nose bleeds; cocaine psychosis (hyperactivity, delusions)

Ecstasy (MDMA-MetheleneDioxyMethAmphetamine, XTC, MDM, E, X)

What it is: a synthetic drug that stimulates the central nervous system, often sold  in tablet or powder form

Effects: increased feelings of self-confidence and well being; rise in blood pressure and body temperature; increased pulse rate; jaw clenching; teeth grinding; sweating; dehydration; nausea; anxiety; hallucinations; irrational behaviour; vomitting; convulsions; loss of appetite, insomnia, depression, muscle aches, loss of concentration

Heroin (smack, horse, dope, rocks, shit, down, gear)

What it is: a central nervous system depressant which comes from the opium poppy; usually comes in powder form

Effects: dull perceptions of pain and fear; slow breathing; reduced body temperature; nausea; vommitting; itching; constipation; damaged veins, heart and lungs; irregular menstruation; infertility; impotence

Inhalants (glues, aerosols, liquid paper thinners, butane gas, nitrous oxide, gasoline)

What it is: solvents that depress the central nervous system

Effects: feelings of excitement and relaxation; loss of coordination; disorientation; increased fear; blackouts; mild hallucinations

Methadone

What it is: a depressant drug that slows brain or central nervous system activity; does not produce a high, but used to help stabilize those who are dependent on heroin-like opiates

Effects: sweating; constipation; lowered sex drive; aching muscles and joints; itchy skin; suppression of appetite; stomach pain; nausea; vommitting

Methamphetamine (meth, crystal, jib, speed, ice, crank, glass, tweak, sketch, tina, yaba, shabu)

What it is: a synthetic central nervous system stimulant, usually sold in forms of tablets, capsules, chunks, powders, crystals, and glass shards

Effects: there are many effects of meth, which could not all be listed here, but some effects are irritability; tooth grinding; insomnia; restlessness; anxiety; panic; headache; jaw clenching; decreased fatigue; extreme weightloss; seizures; respiratory depression; convulsions; kidney and heart failure; confusion; paranoia; violence; memory loss

Psychedelics (hallucinogens such as magic mushrooms, peyote cactus, LSD/acid)

What it is: a group of drugs that can change a person’s perception, which makes them see or hear things that do not exist

Effects: changes in thought, sense of time and mood; anxiety; fear; loss of control; inability to concentrate; abnormally rapid heart beat; raised blood pressure; depression; psychosis

Onsite: Insite’s detox floor

Onsite is an addition to Insite where the injection users can turn to should they ever decide to quit using. It is located on the second floor of the same building, and consists of 12 detoxification rooms (each with its own bathroom). The facility also includes a common room and kitchen, and is staffed with nurses, doctors, and counsellors for their various services. Onsite incorporates a methadone program and enforces standard rules; like any other detox facility, drug use is prohibited and can result in withdrawal from the program.

I feel that the addiction of Onsite to Insite reinforces the goals of this organization. As I have stated in one of my previous posts (CBC’s Fifth Estate: “Staying Alive”), the point of Insite is not to encourage or increase drug use, but to ensure that the drug users are safe and directed away from crime and disease. Those who are looking for a way out can finally be a step closer to it-or in this case, a flight of stairs closer. In addition, up another flight of stairs is a temporary shelter which houses 18 rooms, for those who need a night away from the madness on the streets, or have nowhere else to go. When I discovered this, I questioned whether many drug users overstay their welcome at Onsite; however, I quickly answered my own question when I re-evaluated the power of addiction. I feel that many users probably do not stay long; instead they are probably already looking for the next fix first thing in the morning.

I am not sure whether these resources are adequate for the number of users out there; 12 detox beds and 18 temporary shelter beds seem like a small number, but you have to start somewhere. If all of those detox rooms are filled, there is potential that there are 12 less users on the street, and therefore potential of getting 12 users off the streets and off the drugs (though this may be unlikely because of relapse, one cannot help but think of the best case senario.) Even if half of those users stayed clean, it is a start. If you don’t offer anything at all, then nothing is done (sounds redundant, but true). And sometimes the power of suggestion goes a long way.