WHAT IT IS

Names: Antihistamines, decongestants, cough syrups, pain relievers, mouthwashes, reducing aids, sleeping aids, stimulants, alcohol, caffeine, lookalikes, act-alikes.

Type: Psychoactive.

Forms: Tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, sprays, chewing gum.

Combinations: Cold and cough preparations with codeine and/or alcohol, with antihistamines and decongestants or with PPA. Mouthwash with alcohol. Aspirin with caffeine and/or acetaminophen. Amphetamine (speed) look-a-like with caffeine, PPA, ephedrine. Quaalude (lude) look-a-like with acetaminophen or aspirin. Cocaine (coke) look-a-like with caffeine, PPA, ephedrine and benzocaine, lidocaine, procaine or tetracaine.

Usage: Swallowed. Injected. Sniffed (snorted).

Legal Status: Legal.

WHAT IT FEELS LIKE

Varies from mild drug effects to extreme combination drug effect. Alertness, anxiety, restlessness, confusion, dizziness, numbness, lightheadedness, mild euphoria, drowsiness, relaxation, nausea, headache, hostility, delirium, excitement, body tension. Look-a-like amphetamine: agitation, hallucination. Look-a-like cocaine: rush of euphoria, anxiety.

WHAT IT DOES

To Your Mind: Stimulates or depresses central nervous system, especially respiratory center.

To Your Body: Alters heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, interferes with control of body movements and reflex actions.

Special Characteristics: Depressant effect is intensified if antihistamines, alcohol, tranquilizers, and like drugs are combined. Nose sprays effect "nasal rebound effect" and addiction. Cold pills combined with cough syrups can double dose and side effects of all drugs. Small children are strongly affected by alcohol based drugs. Aspirin should be avoided before surgery. It interacts with various prescription drugs and can cause internal bleeding when combined with alcohol. Aspirin use for children under age 16 with chicken pox or flu can bring on Reye syndrome. Aspirin is the most common cause of accidental poisoning in children. Ibuprofen may have side effects for those allergic to aspirin. PPA can cause heart palpitations. Indocin and PPA can raise blood pressure to life- threatening levels.

HOW IT CAN HURT YOU

Hypertension. Inability to sleep. Changes in blood pressure and heart functions. Respiratory depression, individual allergic or psychotic reactions, kidney and liver damage. Coma, vomiting, tremors, ulcers, colitis. Needle related infections and AIDS.

WHEN TO GET HELP

• Do you take more medication than is prescribed?
• Is your work or school performance affected by your drug use?
• Are you having problems with family and friends?
• Are you spending more on drugs than you can afford?
• Do you use a variety of drugs?

One "yes" and your common sense tells you it's time to get smart about drugs and the rest of your life.

Fact: Aspirin is one of the top five drugs involved in emergency room visits for poisoning.