Acid/LSD
WHAT IS LSD
LSD(lysergic acid diethylamide)is a synthetic(man-made) drug that has been abused for its hallucinogenic properties since the 1960s. If consumed in a sufficiently large dose, LSD produces delusions and visual hallucinations that distort the user's sense of time and identity.
HOW LSD IS ABUSED
LSD generally is taken by mouth. The drug is colorless and odorless but has a slightly bitter taste.
WHO USES LSD
Individuals of all ages use LSD. Data reported in the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicate that an estimated 20.2 million US residents aged 12 and older used LSD at least once in their lifetime. The survey also revealed that many teenagers and young adults use LSD--742,000 individuals aged 12 to 17 and 4.5 million individuals aged 18 to 25 used the drug at least once.
LSD use among high school students is a particular concern. More than 8% of high school seniors in the US used the drug at least once in their lifetime, and nearly 4% used the drug in the past year, according to the University of Michigan's Monitoring the Future Survey.LSD users often ha
WHAT ARE THE RISKS
The effects associated with LSD use are unpredictable and depend upon the amount taken, the surroundings in which the drug is used and the user's personality mood and expectations. Some LSD users experience a feeling of despair, while others report terrifying fears--of losing control, going insane, or dying. Some users suffered fatal accidents while under the influence of LSD.
Some have flashbacks, during which certain aspects of their LSD experience recur even though they have stopped taking the drug. In addition, LSD users may develop long-lasting psychoses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression.
LSD is not considered an addictive drug--that is it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior as cocaine, heroine, and methamphetamine do. LSD user, however, may develop tolerance to the drug, meaning that they must consume progressively larger doses of the drug in order to continue to experience the hallucinogenic effects that they seek.
COMMON NAMES FOR LSD
Acid
Boomers
Yellow Sunshine
Back breaker
Battery acid
Doses
Dots
Elvis
Loony Toons
Lucy in the sky with diamonds
Pane
Superman
Window Pane
Zen
IS IT ILLEGAL
Yes, LSD is illegal. LSD is a Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule 1 drugs, which include heroin and MDMA, have a high potential for abuse and serve n legitimate medical purpose.
STATISTICS
- Information from the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health(NSDUH) and the Monitoring the Future Survey from 2005 provide the following information.
PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO HAD TRIED LSD AT LEAST ONCE
~8th grade 2004: 1.8% 2005: 1.9%
~10th grade 2004: 2.8% 2005: 2.5%
~8th & 10th grade 2002: 3.8% 2003: 2.8%
~12th grade 2004: 4.6% 2005: 3.5%
~Age 18-25 2002: 15.9% 2003: 14.0% 2004: 12.1%
~All ages 12 and up 2004: 9.7%
- The downward trend in use can be seen individually in 10th grade users, 8th and 10th grade users, 12th grade users, and 18-25-year-old users.
LSD First Time Users
~2002: 338,000
~2003: 200,000
~2004: 235,000
- A marked dropoff in first time users occurred between 2002 and 2003, with 40% less lifetime use reported in 2003, but there was also an increase again in 2004. Overall, there seem to be short-term downward trends in LSD use, which would have to be followed longer in order to make more definitive statements.
WHAT DOES LSD LOOK LIKE
LSD typically is sold as a liquid(often packaged in small bottles designed to hold breath fresheing drops) or applied to blotter paper, sugar cubes, gelatin squares, and tablets.
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