Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs are those that are not prescribed by a doctor or bought at a drugstore. They are sometimes also called "street drugs."

Some examples of illegal drugs include heroin (an opioid); cocaine (a stimulant); LSD, mescaline, PCP, methamphetamine, and psilocybin (hallucinogens).

The effects of illegal drugs can be unpredictable because:

People respond differently to the same drugs.
The strength or potency of the drug may be uncertain.
They may contain unknown or unexpected substances. There is no quality control for street drugs like that required for prescription drugs.
They may interact with other drugs or alcohol in unpredictable ways.
Even though they look like prescription drugs, they may contain dangerous chemicals.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.