Abusers  usually  retain  the  odor  of  the  substance  that they have inhaled on their breath and in their clothes. Irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth and nose may result in excessive nasal secretions. Redness and watering of the eyes commonly occur. The user may appear  intoxicated  or  lack  muscular  control  and  may complain  of  double  vision,  ringing  in  the  ears,  vivid dreams,  and  even  hallucinations.  Drowsiness,  stupor, and unconsciousness may follow excessive use of the substance. Abusers usually inhale these drugs from the container  or  from  plastic  or  paper  bags.  Therefore, discovery  of  plastic  or  paper  bags  or  handkerchiefs containing dried plastic cement is a telltale sign of this form  of  drug  abuse. MARIJUANA.  –Marijuana  is  a  greenish, tobacco-like  material  consisting  of  the  leaves,  flowers, small  stems,  and  seeds  of  the  plant  Cannabis  Sativa  L, which  grows  throughout  the  world.  Its  fibers  have  been used to manufacture twine, rope, bags, clothing, and paper.  The  sterilized  seeds  are  used  in  various  feed mixtures, particularly bird seed. Traffic in, and use of, drugs from the cannabis plant are now restricted by law in  most  countries,  including  the  United  States. Although  known  to  exist  for  nearly  5,000  years,  we probably know less about marijuana than any other natural drug. In the past, it has been used in the treatment of a variety of clinical disorders. Very early in China’s history,  it  was  used  to  relieve  pain  during  surgery.  In India it was used as medicine; in the United States it was used as an analgesic, a poultice for corns, and a component  in  a  variety  of  patented  medicines. You can identify marijuana smokers by their possession  of  such  cigarettes,  often  called  sticks, reefers, or joints. A marijuana cigarette is often rolled in a  double  thickness  of  brownish  or  off-white  cigarette paper.  Smaller  than  a  regular  cigarette,  with  the  paper twisted  or  tucked  in  on  both  ends,  the  marijuana cigarette  often  contains  seeds  and  stems  and  is  greener in  color  than  regular  tobacco. Another clue to the presence of “reefers” is the way in which they are often smoked. Typically, such smoking occurs in a group situation. Because of the rapid burning and harshness of the marijuana cigarette, it is generally passed rapidly, after one or two puffs, to another person. Users inhale the smoke deeply and hold it in the lungs as  long  as  possible.  When  inhaling,  persons  often  cup the cigarette in the palms of both hands to save all the smoke possible. An additional clue to marijuana use is an odor similar to that of burnt rope. You can readily detect  the  odor  on  the  person’s  breath  and  clothing. When  smoked,  marijuana  appears  to  enter  the bloodstream  quickly  because  the  onset  of  symptoms  is rapid.  It  affects  the  user’s  mood  and  thinking.  The effects of the drug on the emotions and senses vary widely,  depending  on  the  amount  and  strength  of  the marijuana used. The social setting in which it is taken and the effects anticipated by the user also influence the person’s  reaction  to  the  drug. You probably will not recognize marijuana (pot) users  unless  they  are  heavily  under  the  influence.  In early stages, when the drug acts as a stimulant, users may  be  very  animated  and  appear  almost  hysterical. They commonly talk loudly and rapidly and easily burst into  laughter. Usually, the effects of the drug start about 15 minutes after the person inhales the smoke of the cigarette.  The  effects  can  last  from  2  to  4  hours.  At  low doses  of  one  or  two  cigarettes,  persons  who  become intoxicated  may  experience  an  increased  sense  of well-being,  initial  restlessness,  and  hilarity.  That  stage is followed by a dreamy, carefree state of relaxation and an  alteration  of  sensory  perceptions,  including expansion  of  space  and  time.  Users  also  experience  a more vivid sense of touch, sight, smell, taste, and sound; a feeling of hunger, especially a craving for sweets; and subtle  changes  in  thought  formation  and  expression.  To an unknowing observer, a person in this state of consciousness would not appear noticeably different from a normal state. At  higher  but  moderate  doses,  the  user  experiences the  same  reactions  experienced  with  the  use  of  low doses, only they are intensified. Still, you would scarcely  notice  the  changes.  The  person  may  also experience  altered  thought  formation  and  expression, such  as  fragmented  thoughts,  sudden  loss  of  ideas, impaired  immediate  memory,  disturbed  associations, and  an  altered  sense  of  self-identity.  Some  perceive  a feeling  of  enhanced  insight.  Such  distortions  can produce feelings of panic and anxiety in those who have little  experience  with  drugs.  The  panic  and  anxiety  can cause persons to fear they are dying or going crazy. That panic reaction usually disappears as the effects of the drug wear off. Low to moderate doses of the drug produce minimal changes in body functions. At very high doses, effects may include distortions of  body  images,  loss  of  personal  identity,  fantasies,  and hallucinations.  In  addition,  toxic  psychoses  can  occur 3-12