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Street drugs are similar to a tornado in the brain, leaving in its wake emotional and chemical chaos. This term is used for all drugs that are sold illegally. Street drugs are the worst and most dangerous because they are not regulated. They are illegal because of the harmful effects they have on the user. It is not a surprise that they are as "popular" as they are. Mankind has always explored different ways to achieve an altered state of consciousness. In the search for mood and mind altering substances, humankind has long experimented and taken risks.

Using drugs can be a temptingly easy way to change or control ones mood and psychological state. Advertising and marketing may enhance the appeal of substance use. There are fashions in drug use and the use of a certain drug may be associated with a particular (and perhaps desirable) lifestyle or subculture.

Street drugs are sometimes known as "recreational drugs". They can be classified as stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. Some drugs, however, can overlap these categories, for example ecstasy is both a stimulant and a hallucinogen. While low grade cannabis (hash) works as a depressant, stronger versions such as skunk may also have hallucinogenic properties.

Stimulants
Stimulants work by increasing neural activity in the brain. They have the short-term effect of making one feel lively, talkative, confident, and euphoric. They are attractive to club and party-goers because they enhance sensory experience and postpone the need for sleep. As their effect wears off, however, they can leave you feeling restless, irritable, or washed out. There may, therefore, be a temptation to avoid these "coming down" feelings by taking more of the drug. Long-term use or high doses can lead to extreme agitation, insomnia, delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia particularly in susceptible individuals.

• The most common stimulants are:
  • Amphetamines (speed / meth)
  • Ecstasy (a hallucinogenic amphetamine)
  • Anabolic steroids (used illegally to enhance strength and performance in sports)
  • Amyl nitrite (poppers)
  • Cocaine
  • Crack cocaine

Depressants
Depressants work by depressing the central nervous system. They can therefore induce a state of relaxation or sedation as well as reducing the intensity of pain of emotions such as fear, anger, or anxiety.

• They can also have short term effects as follows:
  • Reducing intellectual ability and the ability to concentrate or retain information
  • Reducing motivation and energy
  • Reducing manual dexterity e.g. the ability to operate machinery, drive, climb, or swim.
• Examples of depressants are:
  • Opiates such as heroin/diamorphine(smack), morphine, pethidine, and methadone
  • Benzodiazepines (tranquilizers such as Valium and Temazepam). These may be prescribed for short-term use to combat anxiety but they also have an illegal market when sold on the street.
  • Cannabis (many street names such as hash, dope, weed, gear). Long-term use or high doses may lead to depression, increased anxiety, an inability to deal effectively with emotions, short-term memory loss, and insomnia

Hallucinogens
These drugs enhance sensory perceptions - sight, sound, smell and touch. On a pleasant 'good trip,' a person may experience increased self-awareness and mystical or ecstatic feelings. On a 'bad trip,' there may be unpleasant feelings of disorientation, panic, and/or paranoia. These effects may last several hours. People can also suffer 'flashbacks' where they re-live experiences when tripping. This can be intensely disorientating and anxiety provoking. A bad trip is more likely in someone who is already anxious, depressed or unstable, or who takes the drug in an insecure environment. It may not be affected by previous experience of the drug or by dosage.

• Hallucinogens include:
  • LSD
  • Hallucinogenic stimulants such as Ecstasy (see above)
  • Magic mushrooms
  • High potency cannabis such as 'skunk'.