Drug Info word cloud

Name of drug

A is for AMYL NITRITE

Amyl nitrite is used in medicine for some cardiac medical procedures and can be used to treat cyanide poisoning. In a recreational setting it is used at clubs and dance parties.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

B is for BENZOS

Benzodiazepines belong to a group of central nervous system depressants called minor tranquilisers. They come as pills in a variety of colours and shapes, according to the brand.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

C is for COCAINE

Cocaine sold on the street is often cut or diluted with other substances, such as glucose, lactose or baking powder.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

D is for DOWNERS

Benzodiazepines belong to a group of central nervous system depressants called minor tranquilisers. They come as pills in a variety of colours and shapes, according to the brand.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

E is for ECSTASY 

Ecstasy is a drug made from different chemicals. It can contain both amphetamines and some hallucinogens. Ecstasy is made illegally and is sold as small tablets in various sizes and colours. It can also come in powder form to be inhaled through the nose (snorted). 

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

F is for FREEBASE

Smoking freebase cocaine can cause breathing difficulties, a long term cough, chest pain and lung damage.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

G is for GAS

The effects of using inhalants mimic alcohol (another depressant) but the effect is much quicker because the chemicals are sent straight to the blood through the lungs.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

H is for HORSE

Heroin can come in several forms, but the two most common in Australia are white powder and brown rock. The powder form is dissolved and injected. Dealers normally cut it with other substances, typically caffeine, paracetamol, sugars or starch.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

I is for ICE

Ice is the purest form of methamphetamine available in Australia. It usually looks like colourless to white crystals or a coarse crystal-like powder, but it can also appear in other colours. Ice is usually smoked or injected.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

J is for JUICE

Steroids are available in tablet form, injectable water based or oil based fluids, and rub on creams.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

K is for SPECIAL K

Ketamine is a short-acting general anaesthetic for human and veterinary use. It is usually a powder, though it can also come in liquid form.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

L is for LSD

LSD is usually prepared as a liquid, but is generally sold on small pieces of blotting paper known as tabs. They are taken orally, often held under the tongue until the paper dissolves. It is also sold as a liquid, or soaked into sugar cubes.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

Magic Mushrooms

(Natural hallucinogens)

M is for MAGIC MUSHROOMS

It is dangerous to pick and eat wild mushrooms because it is difficult to distinguish edible mushrooms from their poisonous lookalikes. Poisonous mushrooms can cause stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhoea, while some can cause permanent liver damage, respiratory failure, unconsciousness and even death.  

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

N is for NEW PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES 

Synthetic drugs are products containing chemical substances artificially developed to mimic the effects of illegal drugs like cannabis, cocaine and methamphetamine. They come in the form of powders, pills and dried herbs that have been soaked in synthetic chemicals. These drugs are often promoted or sold as if they are harmless.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

O is for OPIOID DRUGS

Heroin is one of a group of very strong pain-killing drugs called opioids. These include opium, morphine, codeine and heroin.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

P is for POPPERS

Amyl nitrite is also known as ‘poppers’. The effects are felt within 30 seconds of inhalation and last for two to three minutes.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

Q is for QUIKSILVER

Amyl nitrite is a clear, yellow, highly volatile and flammable liquid. The liquid smells sweet and fruity when fresh but like ‘sweaty socks’ when stale.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

R is for ROIDS

Most anabolic androgenic steroids are synthetic products based on the structure of testosterone, the natural male sex hormone responsible for the development of masculine characteristics.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

S is for SYNTHETIC DRUGS

It is estimated that a new synthetic drug is being produced and marketed every week; this means that it is unlikely that you will know what you are using or what the compounds will do to you and your friends.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

T is for TOBACCO

Tobacco is made from the dried leaves of the tobacco plant. The ingredient in tobacco that has an effect on the mind is nicotine, which is highly addictive. When tobacco is smoked, the nicotine dissolves instantly in the saliva, and is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. In a few seconds it reaches the brain, and the smoker feels light-headed and dizzy.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

U is for UPPERS

Speed usually comes in the form of white or yellow powder, but can also be bought as pills. People either sniff it through the nose (snort it), inject it or swallow it in tablet or capsule form. Speed is also known as go-ee, whiz, rev and uppers. People who sell speed often mix or cut the powder with other things that look the same, to make the drug go further. It is difficult to tell what the drug actually contains.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

V is for VITAMIN K

Ketamine is a short-acting general anaesthetic for human and veterinary use. It is usually a powder, though it can also come in liquid form. Ketamine produces a feeling of detachment from one's body and the external world. It does this by reducing or blocking signals to the conscious mind from other parts of the brain, typically the senses.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

W is for WEED

Cannabis comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. The primary active ingredient is THC (delta - 9 tetrahydrocannabinol), a central nervous system depressant. THC can also act as a hallucinogen.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

X is for XTC

Ecstasy is a drug made from different chemicals. It can contain both amphetamines and some hallucinogens. Ecstasy is made illegally and is sold as small tablets in various sizes and colours. It can also come in powder form to be inhaled through the nose (snorted). 

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au

Y is for YOUR ROOM

Your Room offers information about alcohol and a wide range of drugs, how they can affect people, side effects, withdrawal, and how to get help for yourself or for anyone else who needs it. You can access help, learn about support and treatment options, or test your knowledge about alcohol and other drugs with the Spinner Game. There are resources to order or download, including a range of Indigenous resources.

Find out more at www.yourroom.com.au

Z is for ZEN

Mixing hallucinogens such as LSD with stimulant drugs (such as cocaine or amphetamines) increases the stimulant effects and can further increase the heart rate, place the body under extreme stress and can lead to stroke.

Find out more at www.druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au