THE SIX CLASSIFICATIONS

OF DRUGS
GATEWAY DRUGS’ IHALANTS’ NARCOTICS’ STIMULANT DRUGS’
DEPRESSANT DRUGS’ HALLUCINOGENS
 GATEWAY DRUGS
A gateway drug is a somewhat controversial idea that proposes that
using certain comparatively “safe” drugs (marijuana or alcohol) can
significantly increase the risk that a person will then use “harder,”
more dangerous drugs later. It is usually discussed in the context of
children or young adults using relatively common drugs, such as
marijuana, alcohol, and nicotine products, and then taking up the use of
more dangerous drugs, such as heroinThe concept of “gateway drugs” is
somewhat controversial. Gateway drugs may exist, but the evidence
isn’t nearly as strong as many assume. The idea of gateway drugs can
also often override other important topics in the discussion around how
to reduce drug misuse
 INHALANTS
Inhalants are various products easily bought and
found in the home or workplace—such as spray
paints, markers, glues, and cleaning fluids. They
contain dangerous substances that have psychoactive
(mind-altering) properties when inhaled. People don’t
typically think of these products as drugs because
they’re not intended for getting high, but some
people use them for that purpose. When these
substances are used for getting high, they are called
inhalants. Inhalants are mostly used by young kids
and teens and are the only class of substance used
more by younger than by older teens.
 NARCOTICS
Narcotics/opioids are prescribed by doctors to
treat pain, suppress cough, cure diarrhea, and
put people to sleep.
Effects depend heavily on the dose, how it’s
taken, and previous exposure to the drug
causes Negative effects.
Physical activity, constriction of the pupils,
flushing of the face and neck, constipation,
nausea, vomiting, and slowed.
Breathing. As the dose is increased, both the
pain relief and the harmful effects become
more pronounced.
 STIMULANT DRUGS
Stimulants are a class of drugs that speed up
messages travelling between the brain and
body. They can make a person feel more
awake, alert, confident or energetic.

Stimulants include caffeine, nicotine,

amphetamines and cocaine. Large doses can
cause over-stimulation, resulting in anxiety,
panic, seizures, headaches, stomach cramps,
aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of
strong stimulants can have adverse effects.
 DEPRESSANT DRUGS
Depressant substances reduce arousal and
stimulation. They affect the central nervous system,
slowing down the messages between the brain and
body.

They can affect concentration and coordination and

slow down a person’s ability to respond to
unexpected situations. In small doses, they can cause
a person to feel more relaxed and less inhibited.

In larger doses they can cause drowsiness, vomiting,

unconsciousness and death.
 HALLUCINOGENS
Hallucinogens are a diverse group of drugs that
alter a person’s awareness of their surroundings
as well as their own thoughts and feelings.

Some hallucinogens are extracted from plants or

mushrooms, and some are synthetic (human-
made). Historically, people have used
hallucinogens for religious or healing rituals.
More recently, people report using these drugs
for social or recreational purposes, including to
have fun, deal with stress, have spiritual
experiences, or just to feel different.