Drugs of Abuse (Illicit Drugs)
The most common drugs of abuse or illicit drugs in the West with Chinese translations. This list should be useful for English-Chinese translators, interpreters in legal and medical contexts.
| Name | Alternative Name | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marijuana | cannabis, weed, pot | 大麻 | dàmá |
| Ecstasy | adam, clarity | 摇头丸 | yáotóuwán |
| Prescription drugs | – | 处方药 | chǔfāngyào |
| Methamphetamine | meth, crystal meth, ice | 冰毒 | bīngdú |
| Cocaine | coke | 可卡因 | kěkǎyīn |
| Heroin | smack | 海洛因 | hǎiluòyīn |
| Painkillers | analgesics | 镇痛药 | zhèntòngyào |
| LSD | acid | 迷幻剂 | míhuànjì |
| Opium | – | 鸦片 | yāpiàn |
| Ketamine | special K | K粉 | k fěn |
| Inhalants | – | 吸入剂 | xīrùjì |
| Magic mushrooms | shrooms | 迷幻蘑菇 | míhuàn mógu |
Marijuana
Marijuana usually refers to the hemp plant “Cannabis sativa” and its dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds. The hemp plant “Cannabis sativa“ contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a mind-altering chemical. In contrast, in some countries, medical marijuana is legal and not classified as a drug of abuse or illicit drugs anymore.
Street Names: Ganja, Dope, Pot, Smoke, Weed, Blunt, Bud, Grass, Green, Herb, Joint, Mary Jane, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk
Common Forms: Greenish-gray mixture (depends on location) of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and/or flowers;
Common Ways Taken: Smoked, eaten
MMDA Ecstasy (Club drug)
A synthetic drug that alters mood and perception. Similar to hallucinogens, this illicit drug produces a feeling of increased energy, pleasure, emotional warmth, and distorted sensory including time perception. Consequently, this drug of abuse is popular in club parties.
Street Names: Lover’s Speed, Peace, Adam, Clarity, Eve, Uppers
Common Forms: Tablets with imprinted logos in different colors, powder, liquid
Common Ways Taken: Swallowed, snorted
Methamphetamine
A stimulant drug is available in two forms powder and crystal forms.
Street Names: Meth, Speed, Crank, Chalk, Crystal, Fire, Glass, Go Fast, Ice
Common Forms: White powder. For crystal meth, it looks like pieces of glass or shiny blue-white rocks
Common Ways Taken: Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected
Cocaine
Made from the leaves of the coca plant. Commonly used for medical treatments such as local anesthesia for some surgeries. Local street dealers often mix it with other powders such as cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour for higher profits.
Street Names: Crack, Flake, Rock, Snow, Blow, Bump, Candy, Charlie, Coke, Toot
Common Forms: White powder, whitish rock crystal
Common Ways Taken: Snorted, smoked, injected
Heroin (Traditional Drugs of Abuse)
A natural substance from the seed pod of the various opium poppy plants.
Street Names: Brown sugar, Dope, H, Horse, China White, Junk, Skag, Skunk, Smack
Common Forms: powder (white or brown), or black sticky
Common Ways Taken: Injected, smoked, snorted
LSD (Hallucinogen)
LSD alters perception, thoughts, and feelings. It causes trips or sensations, where images seem real though they are not.
Street Names: Acid, Stamp, Blotter, Blue Heaven, Cubes, Microdot, Yellow Sunshine
Common Forms: Tablet, capsule, small, decorated squares of absorbent paper (like stamps)
Common Ways Taken: Swallowed, chewed
Magic mushrooms
A mushroom that causes hallucination grown in some parts of the world.
Street Names: Shrooms, Little Smoke, Magic Mushrooms, Purple Passion
Common Forms: Fresh or dried mushrooms topped by caps with dark gills
Common Ways Taken: Swallowed
Ketamine (Yes, Drugs of abuse)
Also, a powerful dissociative drug (a hallucinogen) that causes you to feel detached from reality.
Street Names: Special K, Vitamin K, Cat Valium, K,
Common Forms: Liquid, white powder
Common Ways Taken: Injected, snorted, smoked (powder added to tobacco or marijuana cigarettes), swallowed
Inhalants
It refers to the various substances that people typically take only by inhaling such as solvents, aerosol sprays, gases, and nitrites. Hence, the name “Inhalants”.
Street Names: Poppers, snappers, whippets, laughing gas
Common Forms: Several forms such as paint thinners or removers
Common Ways Taken: Inhaled (nose or mouth)
Prescription drugs and Painkillers
These drugs are prescribed by a doctor, which can help in treating many illnesses. For instance, Opioids are prescribed to treat pain, coughing, and diarrhea. But when misused, it can have serious consequences. However, it is still a question to classify it as a drug of abuse.
Common Forms: Tablet, capsule
Common ways Taken: Swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected
Finally, this covers almost all drugs of abuse or illicit drugs commonly used in the West.
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