Types

• The drug abuse culture has changed with today's teens, according to the U.S. Teen Drug Abuse Drug website. "Teenagers are not using as much cocaine, crack, LSD, as the teenagers of the 1960s; painkillers and other prescription drugs are being abused at record levels."
  
  

Anesthetics

• Valium, Librium, Xanax and Nembutal are examples of prescription depressants or anesthetics. Effects of this drug are loss of coordination, numbness, confusion, fatigue, memory loss, depression, addiction and cardiac arrest, according to the National Index on Drug Abuse.
  
  

Opioids

• Opioids and morphine prescription drugs examples are codeine, Robitussin cough syrup, laudanum, Oxycontin, Percocet and Darvocet. Some effects are euphoria, drowsiness, confusion, nausea, coma, addiction and cardiac arrest.
  
  

Stimulants

• Prescription drugs that are considered stimulants are Dexidrine, Biphetamine, Desoxyn and Ritalin. Effects include increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, exhilaration, energy, mental alertness, reduced appetite, weight loss, heart failure, aggressiveness, paranoia, strokes and addiction.
  
  

Steroids

• Athletes use steroids to enhance athletic performance. They include Anadrol, Oxandrin and Depo-Testosterone. Some effects are cancer, hostility, blood clotting, acne, menstrual irregularities, developed muscles, reduced sperm and shrunken testicles.