by James Dobson
6. Cocaine: $5 to $20 per usage, whether in powder (for snorting) or hardened “rock”/“crack” format (for smoking). Commonly sold on the street in plastic bags for about $25 and up per quarter-gram (enough for two to four “hits”). A kilo of cocaine (about 2.2 pounds) typically sells for between $17,500 to $28,000, but can soar as high as $40,000 depending on supply. A pound, with a typical street purity of 55%-65%, costs between $12,000 to $16,000. The sale of this drug is truly big business.
7. Hallucinogens: $1 to $10 per usage, though prices vary considerably depending on the quality and type. These days, LSD (acid) typically sells on blotter paper imprinted with colorful decals of cartoon characters, cars, etc., and is frequently referred to by the decal. Thus, if the picture on the blotter paper were of Mickey Mouse, it would be called “Mickey Mouse Acid.” LSD also comes as a liquid and as a gelatin substance. Fig ure $100 to $300 for a hundred hits. Another common hallucinogen, Phencyclidine (PCP), is widely available in liquid form at about $150 to $250 per ounce, but costs about $1,000 per ounce in powder or crystal formulations. PCP is often used to lace other drugs, especially marijuana and cocaine.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON
ILLICIT DRUGS?
Dangerous drugs can be categorized into the five major divisions appearing below. Fundamental details are also presented to allow parents to learn what their teen probably knows already.
1. Stimulants: (Uppers) These drugs excite the
user, inducing talkativeness,
restlessness, and over-stimulation.
They are commonly called pep pills.
a. Specific drugs
(1) Benzedrine (Bennies, whites, etc.)
(2) Dexedrine (dexies, hearts, etc.)
(3) Methamphetamine (speed, meth run, crysta
meth, etc.)
b. Psychological and physiological effects of
abusive use
(1) Insomnia
(2) Loss of appetite
(3) Dry mouth
(4) Vomiting
(5) Diarrhea
(6) Nausea
(7) Inhibitions released
(8) Blurred vision
(9) Aggressiveness
(10) Hallucinations and confusion
2. Depressants: (Barbiturates, Downers: These drugs
are used in medicine to relax and
induce sleep in the patient. They
are commonly called sleeping pills.
a. Specific drugs
(1) Seconal (red, red devils, pinkies, pink ladies,
etc.)
(2) Nembutal (yellows, yellow jackets, etc.)
(3) Tuinal (rainbows, double trouble, etc.)
(4) Amytal (blues, blue heavens, etc.)
b. Psychological and physiological effects of
abusive use
(1) Drowsy confusion and an inability to think
clearly
(2) Lack of coordination
(3) Lethargic speech
(4) Defective judgment
(5) Tremors
(6) Involuntary movement of the eyes
(7) Hostility
(8) More deaths are caused by overdoses of
barbiturates than any other drug—often
occurring accidentally.
3. Hallucinogens: These drugs are capable of
provoking changes in sensation,
thinking, self-awareness,
and emotion.
a. Specific drug
(1) Lysergic acid diethylamide tartrate (LSD-25,
LSD, acid, Vitamin A, etc.)
(2) Psilocybin/Psilocyn (Magic mushrooms,
shrooms, etc.)
(3) Peyote (Mescaline)
(4) Phencyclidine (PCP, Sherms, Lovely,
Dusters, etc.)
b. Psychological and physiological effects
(1) Bizarre psychic experiences with heightened
sensitivity to color and other stimuli.
(2) Psychotic illness occasionally occurs.
(3) Chromosomal breakage may develop.
(4) The psychic phenomena occasionally recur
weeks after the last dosage is taken.
(5) Alterations in time and space
perception occur.
(6) Illusions and hallucinations are experienced.
4. Marijuana: (Grass, pot, joint, weed, etc.)
Marijuana is usually rolled into
cigarettes. When smoked, the initial
effect is that of a stimulant.
However, continued usage will
produce drowsiness and
unconsciousness. Thus, marijuana is
technically classified as a sedative.
a. Psychological and physiological effects
(1) Pupils of the eye become dilated; the white
part becomes bloodshot.
(2) A loss of time and space orientation
(3) Muscle tremors
(4) Accelerated pulse and heartbeat
(5) Apparent dizziness
(6) Odd behavior
(7) Loss of inhibitions
(8) Delusions
(9) User becomes “psychologically dependent”
on marijuana.
5. Narcotics: These drugs relieve pain and induce sleep.
a. Specific drug
(1) Heroin (horse, H, Harry, smack, brown, etc.)
Heroin is an opiate. It is processed from
morphine but it is much stronger. The
tolerance for this drug builds up faster than
any other opiate and it is therefore more
dangerous. Heroin is the most devastating
and enslaving drug in existence. It is not even
used medically in America.
b. Psychological and physiological effects
(1) Heroin is a cerebral, spinal, and respiratory depressant.
(2) The initial reaction is one of euphoria and comfort. This feeling disappears quickly, requiring a larger dose on the next occasion.
(3) Immediately after injecting heroin, the user becomes drowsy. This is called “going on the nod” or “nodding.”
(4) Pupils of the eyes contract tightly.
GLOSSARY OF DRUG-WORLD SLANG
The following list will help you identify today’s common drug-world slang, but keep in mind that the terminology varies in different parts of the country and changes extremely rapidly. Also, with the prevalence of wire taps and electronic surveillance techniques used in drug enforcement, users often call drugs by anything but what you see on the list. For example, an individual who wants to buy, say a couple of pounds of marijuana, from his usual source might use the word taco, banana, radio, shirt, telephone or some other nonsense word instead of the more usual grass, pot, weed, etc. Thus, if you were to hear their conversation, it might go something like this:
“I’m looking to cop a couple bananas.”
“I’ve got one banana now, and can clean another banana and a half by Saturday.”
As it is said, a rose by any other name smells just as sweet. Likewise, drugs by any other name are just as dangerous. Don’t be fooled.
Having said that, let’s open the dictionary to the drug world:
NOTES
Chapter 1. The Challenge
1. Dr. Luther Woodward, with Morton Edwards, editor, Your Childfrom Two to Five (New York: Permabooks, 1955).
2. Dr. James C. Dobson, The Strong-Willed Child (Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1978), p. 55.
3. John B. Watson & R. R. Watson, Psychological Care of Infant and Child (Norton & Company, 1928), pp. 81–82, 87.
Chapter 4. Questions and Answers
1. Dr. James Dobson, The Strong-Willed Child (Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 1978), p. 52.
Chapter 5. The Miracle Tools, Part 1
1. Dr. James Dobson, Hide and Seek (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1974), p. 69.
Chapter 6. The Miracle Tools, Part 2
1. Dr. James Dobson, The Strong-Willed Child (Carol
Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1978), p. 136.
Chapter 7. Discipline in Learning
1. Jerry Adler, “Creating Problems,” Newsweek (Fall/Winter 1990) Special Issue, p. 16.
2. Tom Morganthau, “The Future Is Now,” Newsweek (Fall/Winter 1990), Special Issue, p. 72.
3. Newsweek, October 14, 1991, p. 14.
4. Jonathan Kozol, Illiterate America (New York: Anchor Press/ Doubleday, 1985).
5. The World Almanac and Book of Facts: 1991,(New York: Pharos Books, 1990)
6. Dr. Sheldon Glueck & Eleanor T. Glueck, Unraveling Juvenile Delinquency (Commonwealth Fund, 1950).
Chapter 8. The Barriers to Learning, Part 1
1. Sources include the following:
Ray, Brian D. “A nationwide study of home education: Family characteristics, legal matters, and student achievement.” (1990, available from the National Home Education Research Institute, c/o Western Baptist College, 5000 Deer Park Dr. SE, Salem, OR 97301)
Ray, Brian D. “Home education in North Dakota: Family characteristics and student achievement.” (1991, available from the National Home Education Research Institute.)
Ray, Brian D. “Home education in Oklahoma: Family characteristics, student achievement, and policy matters.” (1991, available from the National Home Education Research Institute).
2. Sources include the following:
Ray, Brian D. “A nationwide study of home education; family characteristics, legal matters, and student achievement.” (1990, available from the National Home Education Research Institute, c/o Western Baptist College, 5000 Deer Park Dr. SE, Salem, OR 97301)
Greene, Sue S. “Home study in Alaska: A profile of K–12 students in the Alaska Centralized Correspondence Study Program.” ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 255 494
Ray, Brian D. and Jon Wartes. “The academic achievement and affective development of home-schooled children.” Home Schooling: Political, Historical, and Pedagogical Perspectives. (Norwood, N.J.: Ablex Publishing Corporation, 1991).
Rakestraw, Jennie F. “Home Schooling in Alabama.” Home School Researcher. 4(4), 1988, 1–6.
Wartes, Jon. “Five years of home-school testing within Washington state.” (December 1991, available from the Washington HomeSchool Research Project at 15109 N.E. 169 Pl., Woodinville, WA, 98072).
3. Montgomery, Linda R. “The effect of home schooling on the leadership skills of home-schooled students.” Home School Researcher. 5(1), 1–10.
4. Sources include the following:
Aikin, Wilfred. The Story of the Eight Year Study. 4 vols. (New York: Harper, 1942).
Delahooke, Mona Maarse. “Home educated children’s social/ emotional adjustment and academic achievement: A comparative study.” Unpublished doctoral dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, CA.
Montgomery, Linda R. “The effect of home schooling on the leadership skills of home-schooled students.” Home School Researcher. 5(1), 1–10.
5. Dr. James C. Dobson, The Strong-Willed Child (Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1978), p. 158–160.
Chapter 9. The Barriers to Learning, Part 2
1. Mona Behan, “What Do You Say to a C?” Parenting Magazine, April 1992, p. 47.
2. Dr. James C. Dobson, The Strong-Willed Child (Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1978), p. 158–160.
Chapter 10. Discipline in Morality
1. Gabriel Escobar, “Slayings in Washington Hit New High, 436, for 3rd year,” Washington Post, November 24, 1990.
2. Steven Manning, “A National Emergency,” Scholastic Update, April 5, 1991, p. 2.
3. Gordon Witkin, “Kids Who Kill,” U.S. News & World Report, April 8, 1991, p. 27.
4. Karl Zinsmeister, “Growing Up Scared,” Atlantic Monthly, June 1990, p. 50.
5. Zinsmeister, “Growing Up Scared,” p. 50
6. “Alcohol Use and Abuse in America,” Gallup Report, No. 265, October 1987, p. 3.
7. Barbara R. Lorch and Robert H. Hughes, “Church Youth, Alcohol and Drug Education Programs, and Youth Substance Use,” Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, Vol. 33, No. 2, Winter 1988, p. 15.
8. Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education, National Guidelines Task Force, Sex Information and Education Council of the U.S., 1991.
9. Pamela McDonnell, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Division, Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, t.i., March 16, 1992.
10. Scott W. Wright, “1 in 100 tested at UT has AIDS virus,” Austin American Statesman, July 14, 1991, p. A14. The federally funded study was based on a nonrandom sample.
11. “Heterosexual HIV Transmission Up in the United States,” American Medical News (Feb. 3, 1992): 35.
12. U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, 1991 Division of STD/HIV Prevention Annual Report, p.13.
13. Health & Human Services Annual Report, p.13.
14. McDonnell
15. Health & Human Services Annual Report, p.13.
16. Health & Human Services Annual Report, p.13.
17. Health & Human Services Annual Report, p.13.
18. Robert E. Johnson et al., “A Seroepidemiologic Survey of the Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection in the United States,” New England Journal of Medicine, 321 (July 6, 1989): 7–12.
19. Health & Human Services Annual Report, p.13.
20. C. Kuehn and F. Judson, “How common are sexually transmitted infections in adolescents?” Clinical Practice Sexuality 5 (1989): 19–25; as cited by Sandra D. Gottwald et al., Profile: Adolescent Ob/Gyn Patients at the University of Michigan, 1989, The American Journal of Gynecologic Health 5 (May/June 1991), 23.
21. Kay Stone, Sexually Transmitted Diseases Division, Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, t.i., March 20, 1992.
22. Elise F. Jones and Jacqueline Darroch Forrest, “Contraceptive Failure in the United States: Revised Estimates from the 1982 National Survey of Family Growth,” Family Planning Perspectives 21 (May/June 1989): 103.
23. Jones and Forrest, “Contraceptive Failure,” p. 105.
24. Lode Wigersma and Ron Oud, “Safety and Acceptability of Condoms for Use by Homosexual Men as a Prophylactic Against Transmission of HIV during Anogenital Sexual Intercourse,” British Medical Journal 295 (July 11, 1987): 94.
25. Marcia F. Goldsmith, “Sex in the Age of AIDS Calls for Common Sense and Condom Sense,” Journal of the American Medical Association 257 (May 1, 1987): 2262.
26. Susan G. Arnold et al., “Latex Gloves Not Enough to Exclude Viruses,” Nature 335 (Sept. 1, 1988): 19.
27. Nancy E. Dirubbo, “The Condom Barrier,” American Journal of Nursing, Oct. 1987, p. 1306.
28. Theresa Crenshaw, from remarks made at the National Conference on HIV, Washington, D.C., Nov. 15–18, 1991.
29. “Condom Roulette,” Washington Watch 3 (Washington: Family Research Council, Jan. 1992), p. 1.
30. William D. Mosher and James W. McNally, “Contraceptive Use at First Premarital Intercourse: United States, 1965–1988.” Family Planning Perspectives 23 (May/June 1991): 111.
31. Cheryl D. Hayes, ed., Risking the Future: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy and Childbearing (Washington: National Academy Press, 1987), pp. 46–49.
32. Planned Parenthood poll, “American Teens Speak: Sex, Myths, TV and Birth Control” (New York: Louis Harris & Associates, Inc., 1986), p. 24.
33. “Condom Roulette,” In Focus 25 (Washington: Family Research Council, Feb. 1992), p. 2.
34. Gilbert L. Crouse, Office of Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, t.i., March 12, 1992, based on data from Planned Parenthood’s Alan Guttmacher Institute. Increase calculated from 1973, first year of legal abortion.
35. U.S. Congress, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, “The Reauthorization of Title X of the Public Health Service Act” (testimony submitted by Cha
rmaine Yoest), 102nd Congress, 2nd session, March 19, 1991, p. 2.
36. Margaret A. Fischl et al., “Heterosexual Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Relationship of Sexual Practices to Seroconversion,” III International Conference on AIDS, June 1–5, 1987, Abstracts Volume, p. 178.
37. U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, National Centers for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control, “Percent of Women 15–19 Years of Age Who Are Sexually Experienced, by Race, Age and Marital Status: United States, 1988,” National Survey of Family Growth.
38. Joseph S. McIhaney, Jr., M.D., Sexuality and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990), p. 137.
39. A.M.B. Goldstein and Susan M. Garabedian-Ruffalo, “A Treatment Update to Resistant Gonorrhea,” Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, (August 1991): 39.
40. Reprinted with permission by Word Publishing. Dr. James C. Dobson and Gary L. Bauer, Children at Risk (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1990), pp. 11–13.
41. Reprinted with permission by USA Today. Kim Painter, “AIDS Surging Among Teens,” USA Today, April 13, 1992.
42. Dr. Joe McIlhaney, “A Doctor Speaks Out on Sexually Transmitted Diseases” (Colorado Springs: Focus on the Family).
43. S. R. Kellert and A. R. Felthouse. “Childhood cruelty toward animals among criminals and noncriminals.” Human Relations 38 (1985): 1113–1129.
44. A. R. Felthous and S. R. Kellert, “Childhood cruelty to animals and later aggression against people: A review,” American Journal of Psychiatry, (1987), pp. 144, 710–717.
Chapter 11. A Moment for Mom
1. Reprinted with permission by Randall Pearson. Mrs. Alice Pearson, “Are All the Children In?” Heartspun and Homespun Poems (Adventure Publications, 1982).
Appendix
1. Sources include the following:
Pomona, California, Police Department
Los Angeles, California, Police Department
Denver, Colorado, Police Department
Colorado Springs, Colorado, Police Department
Drug & Alcohol Treatment Program, El Paso
