The statistic above illustrates that drug use knows no geographic barrier – it can happen to your child. If you suspect your child is using drugs, but are unsure which drug he/she may be using, refer below to the ABC’s of Drugs. This information categorizes the most common drugs by type, gives common street names for each and clearly outlines the intoxication effects and longer-term health effects of taking each drug. For complete listing of drug street names used amongst youth click here. You can also download the ABCs of Drugs in PDF format. For parenting tips about drug use and your teen, visit our Advice section.
What does the DEA Schedule mean?
- Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacturing, among other restrictions.
- Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use;
- Schedule II drugs are available only by prescription (un-refillable) and require a form for ordering.
- Schedule III and IV drugs are available by prescription, may have five refills in 6 months, and may be ordered orally.
- Most Schedule V drugs are available over the counter.
Key:
- Taking drugs by injection can increase the risk of infection through needle contamination with staphylococci, HIV, hepatitis, and other organisms.
- Associated with sexual assaults.
Drugs Definitions
Category: Cannabinoids
Substance: Hashish 
Street Names: boom, chronic, gangster, hash, hash oil, hemp
How administered: Swallowed, smoked
Federal Classification: Schedule I
Intoxication Effects: euphoria, slowed thinking and reaction time, confusion, impaired balance and coordination
Health Consequences: cough, frequent respiratory infections; impaired memory and learning; increased heart rate, anxiety; panic attacks; tolerance, addiction
Substance: Marijuana
Street Names: blunt, dope, ganja, grass, herb, joints, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, sinsemilla, skunk, weed
How administered: swallowed, smoked
Federal Classification: Schedule I
Intoxication Effects: euphoria, slowed thinking and reaction time, confusion, impaired balance and coordination
Health Consequences: cough, frequent respiratory infections; impaired memory and learning; increased heart rate, anxiety; panic attacks; tolerance, addiction
Category: Depressants
Substance: Barbiturates
Street Names: Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital; barbs, reds, red birds, phennies, tooies, yellows, yellow jackets
How Administered: injected*, swallowed
Federal Classification: Schedule II, III, V
Intoxication Effects: reduced anxiety; feeling of well-being; lowered inhibitions; slowed pulse and breathing; lowered blood pressure; poor concentration, sedation, drowsiness
Health Consequences: fatigue; confusion; impaired coordination, memory, judgment; addiction; depression, unusual excitement, fever, irritability, poor judgment, slurred speech, dizziness, life-threatening withdrawal respiratory depression and arrest, death
Substance: benzodiazepines (other than flunitrazepam)
Street Names: Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax; candy, downers, sleeping pills, tranks
How Administered: swallowed, injected*
Federal Classification: Schedule IV
Intoxication Effects: reduced anxiety; feeling of well-being; lowered inhibitions; slowed pulse and breathing; lowered blood pressure; poor concentration, sedation, drowsiness
Health Consequences: fatigue; confusion; impaired coordination, memory, dizziness judgment; addiction; respiratory depression and arrest, death
Substance: Flunitrazepam**
Street Names: Rohypnol; forget-me pill, Mexican Valium, R2, Roche, roofies, roofinol, rope, rophies
How Administered: swallowed, snorted
Federal Classification: Schedule IV
Intoxication Effects: reduced anxiety; feeling of well-being; lowered inhibitions; slowed pulse and breathing; lowered blood pressure; poor concentration,
Health Consequences: fatigue; confusion; impaired coordination, memory, visual and gastrointestinal disturbances, urinary retention, memory loss for the time under the drug's effects judgment; addiction; respiratory depression and arrest, death
Substance: GHB** 
Street Names: gamma-hydroxybutyrate; G, Georgia homeboy, grievous bodily harm, liquid ecstasy
How administered: swallowed
Federal Classification: Schedule I
Intoxication Effects: reduced anxiety; feeling of well-being; lowered inhibitions; slowed pulse and breathing; lowered blood pressure; poor concentration, drowsiness, nausea
Health Consequences: fatigue; confusion; impaired coordination, memory, judgment; addiction; respiratory depression and arrest, vomiting, headache, loss of consciousness, loss of reflexes, seizures, coma, death
Substance: methaqualone
Street Names: Quaalude, Sopor, Parest; ludes, mandrex, quad, quay
How Administered: injected*, swallowed
Federal Classification: Schedule I
Intoxication Effects: reduced anxiety; feeling of well-being; lowered inhibitions; slowed pulse and breathing; lowered blood pressure; poor concentration, euphoria
Health Consequences: fatigue; confusion; impaired coordination, memory, depression, poor reflexes, slurred speech, coma judgment; addiction; respiratory depression, arrest, death
Category: Dissociative Anesthetics
Substance: ketamine
Street Names: Ketalar SV; cat Valiums, K, Special K, vitamin K
How Administered: injected*, snorted, smoked
Federal Classification: III
Intoxication Effects: increased heart rate and blood pressure; impaired motor function/memory loss; numbness; nausea
Health Consequences: vomiting
At high doses - delirium, depression, respiratory depression and arrest
Substance: PCP and analogs
Street Names: phencyclidine; angel dust, boat, hog, love boat, peace pill
How Administered: injected*, swallowed, smoked
Federal Classification: I, II
Intoxication Effects: increased heart rate and blood pressure, impaired motor function/memory loss; numbness; nausea, possible decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, panic, aggression, violence
Health Consequences: vomiting, loss of appetite, depression
Category: Hallucinogens
Substance: LSD Street Names: lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD); acid, blotter, boomers, cubes, microdot, yellow sunshines
How Administered: swallowed, absorbed through mouth tissues
Federal Classification: I
Intoxication Effects: altered states of perception and feeling; nausea, increased body temperature, heart rate & blood pressure
Health Consequences: persisting perception disorder (flashbacks), loss of appetite, sleeplessness, numbness, weakness, tremors, and persistent mental disorders
Substance: Mescaline
Street Names: buttons, cactus, mesc, and peyote
How Administered: swallowed, smoked
Federal Classification: I
Intoxication Effects: altered states of perception and feeling; nausea, increased body temperature, heart rate & blood pressure
Health Consequences: persisting perception disorder (flashbacks), loss of appetite, sleeplessness, numbness, weakness, and tremors
Substance: psilocybin
Street Names: magic mushroom, purple passion, shrooms
How Administered: swallowed
Federal Classification: I
Intoxication Effects: altered states of perception and feeling; nausea, nervousness, paranoia
Health Consequences: persisting perception disorder (flashbacks)
Category: Opioids and Morphine Derivatives
Substance: codeine
Street Names: Empirin with Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine; Captain Cody, Cody, schoolboy; (with glutethimide) doors & fours, loads, pancakes and syrup
How Administered: injected*, swallowed
Federal Classification: II, III, IV
Intoxication Effects: pain relief, euphoria, and drowsiness
Health Consequences: nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death - less analgesia, sedation, and respiratory depression than morphine
Substance: fentanyl and fentanyl analogs
Street Names: Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze; Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, Tango and Cash
How Administered: injected*, smoked, snorted
Federal Classification: I, II
Intoxication Effects: pain relief, euphoria, and drowsiness
Health Consequences: nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death
Substance: heroin
Street Names: diacetylmorphine; brown sugar, dope, H, horse, junk, skag, skunk, smack, white horse
How Administered: injected*, smoked, snorted
Federal Classification: I
Intoxication Effects: pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness, and staggering gait
Health Consequences: nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death
Substance: morphine Street Names: Roxanol, Duramorph; M, Miss Emma, monkey, white stuff
How Administered: injected*, swallowed, smoked
Federal Classification: II, III
Intoxication Effects: pain relief, euphoria, and drowsiness
Health Consequences: nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death
Substance: opium
Street Names: laudanum, paregoric; big O, black stuff, block, gum, hop
How Administered: swallowed, smoked
Federal Classification: II, III, V
Intoxication Effects: pain relief, euphoria, and drowsiness
Health Consequences: nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death
Substance: oxycodone HCL
Street Names: Oxycontin; Oxy, O.C., killer
How Administered: swallowed, snorted, injected*
Federal Classification: II
Intoxication Effects: pain relief, euphoria, and drowsiness
Health Consequences: nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death
Substance: hydrocodone bitartrate, acetaminophen
Street Names: Vicodin; vike, Watson-387
How Administered: swallowed
Federal Classification: II
Intoxication Effects: pain relief, euphoria, and drowsiness
Health Consequences: nausea, constipation, confusion, sedation, respiratory depression and arrest, tolerance, addiction, unconsciousness, coma, death
Category: Stimulants
Substance: amphetamine
Street Names: Biphetamine, Dexedrine; bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, uppers
How Administered: injected*, swallowed, smoked, snorted
Federal Classification: II
Intoxication Effects: increased heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration, energy, increased mental alertness, rapid breathing
Health Consequences: rapid or irregular heart beat; reduced appetite, weight loss, heart failure, nervousness, insomnia, tremor, loss of coordination; irritability, anxiousness, restlessness, delirium, panic, paranoia, impulsive behavior, aggressiveness, tolerance, addiction, psychosis
Substance: cocaine 
Street Names: Cocaine hydrochloride; blow, bump, C, candy, Charlie, coke, crack, flake, rock, snow, toot
How Administered: injected*, smoked, and snorted
Federal Classification: II
Intoxication Effects: increased heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration, energy, increased mental alertness, and increased temperature
Health Consequences: rapid or irregular heart beat; reduced appetite, weight loss, heart failure, nervousness, insomnia, chest pain, respiratory failure, nausea, abdominal pain, strokes, seizures, headaches, malnutrition, panic attacks
Substance: MDMA (methylenedioxy-methamphetamine)
Street Names: Adam, clarity, ecstasy, Eve, lover's speed, peace, STP, X, XTC
How Administered: swallowed
Federal Classification: I
Intoxication Effects: increased heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration, energy, increased mental alertness, mild hallucinogenic effects, increased tactile sensitivity, empathic feelings
Health Consequences: rapid or irregular heart beat; reduced appetite, weight loss, heart failure, nervousness, insomnia, impaired memory and learning, hypothermia, cardiac toxicity, renal failure, liver toxicity
Substance: methamphetamine
Street Names: Desoxyn; chalk, crank, crystal, fire, glass, go fast, ice, meth, speed
How Administered: injected*, swallowed, smoked, snorted
Federal Classification: II
Intoxication Effects: increased heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration, energy, increased mental alertness, aggression, violence, and psychotic behavior
Health Consequences: rapid or irregular heart beat; reduced appetite, weight loss, heart failure, nervousness, insomnia, memory loss, cardiac and neurological damage; impaired memory and learning, tolerance, addiction
Substance: methylphenidate (safe and effective for treatment of ADHD)
Street Names: Ritalin; JIF, MPH, R-ball, Skippy, the smart drug, vitamin R
How Administered: injected*, swallowed, snorted
Federal Classification: II
Intoxication Effects: increased heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration, energy, and increased mental alertness
Health Consequences: rapid or irregular heartbeat; reduced appetite, weight loss, heart failure, nervousness, and insomnia
Substance: nicotine
Street Names: cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, snuff, spit tobacco, bidis, and chew
How Administered: smoked, snorted, taken in snuff and spit tobacco
Federal Classification: not scheduled
Intoxication Effects: increased heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism; feelings of exhilaration, energy, and increased mental alertness
Health Consequences: rapid or irregular heartbeat; reduced appetite, weight loss, heart failure, nervousness, and insomnia. Additional effects attributable to tobacco exposure: adverse pregnancy outcomes, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, tolerance, addiction
Category: Other Compounds
Substance: anabolic steroids
Street Names: Anadrol, Oxandrin, Durabolin, Depo-Testosterone, Equipoise; roids, juice
How Administered: injected*, swallowed, applied to skin
Federal Classification: III
Intoxication Effects: no intoxication effects
Health Consequences: hypertension, blood clotting and cholesterol changes, liver cysts and cancer, kidney cancer, hostility and aggression, acne; in adolescents, premature stoppage of growth; in males, prostate cancer, reduced sperm production, shrunken testicles, breast enlargement; in females, menstrual irregularities, development of beard and other masculine characteristics
Substance: inhalants
Street Names: Solvents (paint thinners, gasoline, glues), gases (butane, propane, aerosol propellants, nitrous oxide), nitrites (isoamyl, isobutyl, cyclohexyl); laughing gas, poppers, snappers, whippets
How Administered: inhaled through nose or mouth
Federal Classification: not scheduled
Intoxication Effects: stimulation, loss of inhibition; headache; nausea or vomiting; slurred speech, loss of motor coordination; wheezing
Health Consequences: unconsciousness, cramps, weight loss, muscle weakness, depression, memory impairment, and damage to cardiovascular and nervous systems, sudden death