Common Street Drugs Part 1: Oxy, Cocaine, Mushrooms
A recent article published by USA today states some quick, hard facts about 6 common street drugs in Wisconsin. But the information discussed is true for most of the US. These drugs make up the more dangerous and prevalent substances that law enforcement have been concerned about recently. The first 3, discussed here, include Oxycontin, mushrooms, and cocaine. The latter 3 will be discussed in a later blog – part 2.
- OxyContin – what is it made of and what does it do? How widespread is the use of this drug?
- Oxycondone (oxy) is a painkiller made from the Persian poppy and the opium poppy. It it has a medical use, but also a high potential for abuse and dependency. Street names for oxycontin include: ox, roxy, perc, oxy, hillbilly heroin, kicker, and OC. Oxy can be swallowed or crushed and snorted or dissolved and injected. Use of oxy is widespread and the use is increasing drastically across the nation.
2. Psilocybin mushrooms – what are they made of and what do they do? How widespread is the use of this drug?
- Mushrooms contain psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance and are a schedule I drug but have no approved medical use. Called “shrooms” or “magic mushrooms,” they are usually dried and eaten but can brewed as a tea, mixed with other foods or, coated with chocolate and then eaten to mask their bitter taste. Use of mushrooms is less than it once was in the 1960s and 70s, but many individuals still use this street drug.
3. Cocaine – what is it made of and what does it do? How widespread is the use of this drug?
- Cocaine is a Schedule II drug – meaning it may have limited medical usage, but it has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Cocaine is a stimulant that most often looks like a white powder. It can be cut (mixed) with sugars and can be inhaled or dissolved and then injected. Crack cocaine is smoked and produces a shorter high than snorted/inhaled cocaine. Users often have white powder around their noses from snorting. Street names for cocaine include snow, crack, coke, or flake. Although cocaine use was more widespread in the 1980s, it continues to have a strong street presence currently.
Source: usatoday.com