"What is considered an illicit drug?"
Drugs categorized into the classes of; sedatives, stimulants, opiates (narcotics), psychedelic agents and phencyclidine (PCP).

"What are some of the health problems associated with illegal drugs? What can happen to me if I take them?"
Cocaine has been linked with severe depression and psychosis as well as nasal tissue damage and infections. Heart rhythm disturbances and death have been linked to cocaine use. LSD has been linked to panic attacks as well as so called, 'flashbacks' which occur long after use of the drug. Alcohol, PCP and solvents are associated with organic brain syndromes in which there can be long lasting effects which are irreversible.

"What are some of the bad effects of crack or cocaine use?"
High blood pressure, rapid heart rate, agitation, chest pain, shortness of breath and seizures. It is well documented that cocaine causes heart attacks even in young people because of narrowing of the arteries during use of the drug causing coronary ischemia.

"How accurate is a urine drug test?"
Marijuana is detected for up to a month in a drug screening test in frequent users. Cocaine can be detected for 2-3 days after use and PCP can be detected for a week after use. Urine tests are used for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCP and amphetamines. These tests are designed to be highly accurate and are used as legal evidence for many reasons.

"What are amphetamines?"
Methamphetamine (speed), MDMA (ecstacy) and methcathinone (ice).

"What are hallucinogens?"
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), phencyclidine (PCP), mescaline (peyote), hallucinogenic mushrooms and some amphetamines can all cause effects which may be perceived as a sensory experience 'that does not exist outside the mind.' (Cline, David et.al. Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. American College of Emergency Physicians).

"What is the date rape drug?"
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHBA) is used to assault victims as it can cause hallucinations, seizures and coma especially especially when ingested with alcohol.

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