The Life and Times of Sal

Oh so they are just keeping us safe!
Makes sense! It’s a good thing we have the government to tell us which drugs are good and which ones are bad.

Here is a list of legal drugs that the government has deemed perfectly safe for human consumption.

http://www.egetgoing.com/drug_addiction/legal_drugs.asp

Alcohol
Alcohol is a drug that depresses the central nervous system. Even after one drink (1 oz of hard liquor, 1 beer, 1 glass of wine), driving ability is impaired. Driving while intoxicated is illegal in the United States. Each state has its own laws regarding the allowable BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration). Many states have settled on .08 as the legal BAC limit, while others use the less restrictive .10 BAC limit. As a rough guide, an average 170-pound male reaches a .08 BAC level after consuming four drinks in an hour, and a 137-pound female reaches it after consuming three drinks in an hour.

Nicotine
Nicotine is highly addictive. The tar in cigarettes increases a smoker’s risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and bronchial disorders. The carbon monoxide in smoke increases the chance of cardiovascular diseases. Pregnant smokers have a higher risk of miscarriage or low birthweight babies. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in adults and greatly increases the risk of respiratory illnesses in children.

Prescription Narcotics
Narcotics are used to control chronic or severe pain. Like alcohol or sedatives, they depress the central nervous system and have mood-altering effects. Narcotics are highly addictive and must be used carefully in a well-controlled manner. Opiate narcotics are among the most commonly abused narcotics. Codeine, methadone, and morphine (from which heroin is derived) are examples. All pain-relieving narcotics, including Percodan, Vicodin, and Percocet, are very addictive.

Cough Preparations
Many cough preparations, especially cough suppressants, contain codeine or DXM (Dextromethorphan). Codeine and other opiates are very effective cough suppressants, but they are addictive. DXM, a powerful psychoactive drug, is particularly addictive. Cough syrup abusers can obtain the drug from their doctors by complaining about coughs and other cold symptoms. Examples of cough preparations include Drixoral Cough Liquid Caps, Robitussin AC, Dectuss, Phenergan with Codeine, Phensedyl, and Pherazine with Codeine.

Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers are drugs used to treat anxiety or problems with sleep. They have a calming effect by depressing the nervous system in a way similar to alcohol. The most common forms of minor tranquilizers prescribed are the benzodiazepines. These include Xanax, Ativan, Valium, and Librium. Major tranquilizers such as Haldol, Navane, Thorazine, Mellaril are called “anti-psychotics”. They are generally used to treat symptoms of paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations or delusions. Tranquilizers are frequently abused because of their ability to reduce anxiety. Tolerance for these types of drug develops rapidly,as more and more of the drug is needed to be effective.

Sedatives
Like alcohol and tranquilizers, sedatives depress the nervous system. They have a calming effect and help induce sleep. Of the four groups of sedatives, barbiturates are the most commonly abused and the most addictive. Commonly abused barbiturates are Nembutal, Seconal, and Amytal. The other three groups of sedatives are benzodiazepines, barbiturate-like sedatives, and other sedatives. Benzodiazepines, which are prescribed as sleep medications, include Restoril, Dalmane, and Halcion. Barbiturate-like sedatives include Placidyl, Miltown, Doriden, Noludar, and Quaaludes. Other sedatives prescribed as sleep medications include Ambien and Sonata. Desyrel, an older antidepressant, is also prescribed as a sleep medication.

Soma
Soma is a prescription muscle relaxant for reducing certain types of pain and muscle tension. It produces sedating effects through the central nervous system and is chemically similar to the sedative Miltown. Soma can transfer from a pregnant woman to an unborn fetus, and it also appears in the breast milk of mothers who use it.

Prescription Amphetamines
Doctors prescribe amphetamines for different medical purposes such as appetite control in weight loss programs, narcolepsy, and hyperactivity disorders. Ritalin, Cylert, and Adderall are among the best-known forms of prescription amphetamines. These drugs are used to treat hyperactivity or attention deficit (known as ADHD or ADD) in children, adolescents, and adults. Amphetamines, which “speed up” normal people, have a calming effect on those with hyperactivity or attention-deficit disorders. On the street, amphetamines are also called speed, bennies, eye openers, lid poppers, pep pills, and uppers.

Over the Counter Drugs
Many drugs available over-the-counter (OTC) can be addictive to different degrees. In fact, some of them are commonly used as ingredients in the production of illicit drugs. For example, cough and cold medications are used to produce illegal versions of amphetamines. Others may be used directly, such as mouthwashes and diet aids, because they contain drugs that produce pleasurable effects. Although these drugs have negative effects, people ignore them in an attempt to get the high that the drugs produce.

OxyContin
OxyContin is the trade name of the opiate, oxycodone, which is converted into morphine in the body. The morphine activates opioid receptors that are found in many areas of the brain. Two of the major effects of opiates, like oxycodone, are the simulation of the pleasure center by releasing dopamine and the relief of pain.

All of the above LEGAL DRUGS have claimed many lives, there is no denying it. There has never been a reported death related to Cannabis use recorded in history.

How much do you trust your government?