Text 2

Individual Drug Links

The effect upon the individual of any drug may vary, depending on factors such as the expectations (ожидания) of the user, mood, amount used, the setting (обстановка), tolerance (переносимость), and whether it is mixed with other drugs, which can be fatal. Some of the drugs above are synthetic drugs which are produced in unregulated laboratories. As such they are rarely pure and are often altered with a range of toxic (интоксикация) and other dangerous agents.

The following categories are some of the most common drugs on the market today.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens (галлюциногены) can cause subjective changes in perception, thought, emotion and consciousness.

Painkillers

Painkillers (known as narcotic analgesics (анальгетики)) produce feelings of happiness (euphoria) and sleepiness. Morphine and heroin are opiates.

Sedatives

Sedatives are substances that depress the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in calmness, relaxation, reduction of anxiety, sleepiness, and slowed breathing.

Solvents

Solvents have a similar effect an alcohol does. They make people feel uninhibited, euphoric and dizzy (испытывающий головокружение). They include gas lighter refills, aerosols, etc.

Stimulants

Stimulants are drugs that make people feel more awake, alert and energetic. Cocaine and amphetamines are stimulants.

Many drugs don’t belong to just one type. For example, cannabis can act like a depressant as well as causing feelings of happiness. Ecstasy can act as a stimulant and a hallucinogen.

Exercise 18. Translate the text below into Russian.

Drug Use and Abuse

Nowadays there are many new drugs. Little research has been done about the effects of taking them. It is known that many of the drugs are being manufactured in home labs with no quality control standards. This means at the very least, dose levels may vary from tablet to tablet, and additional harmful ingredients may be added.

Taking drugs can be dangerous not only because of the physical impact they can have on the body, but they can also limit the ability to set limits, be aware of the environment, and realize when the person is in danger.

Exercise 19. Render the text below in 5-7 sentences. Use the following:

to be smokable; to be a powerful stimulant; to last; to cause drug addiction; to penetrate into blood through the lungs.

К рэк, разновидность кокаина, является сильнейшим психостимулятором. Это – более дешевая версия кокаина, которую курят. Свое название (crack - треск, хруст) наркотик получил из-за потрескивания при курении. Как и при употреблении кокаина, возникает состояние эйфории, но оно продолжается всего лишь 15-20 минут. Затем наступает сильная депрессия. Эффект эйфории, в отличие от кокаина (от 20 минут до часа) у крэка продолжается 15-20 минут, после чего организм начинает требовать следующую дозу.

Поскольку крэк проникает в кровь через легкие, то достигает мозга за считанные секунды, а это означает мгновенную зависимость. Скорость возникновения психической зависимости при курении крэка выше, чем даже при внутривенном введении кокаина.