Developing code to talk about something secretive is something that has been around for hundreds of years. There is no better way of going underground than to develop a secret code language that is known to only those who participate in that activity. The world of drugs is no different. Over the years people have developed a code to talk to others about illicit drugs in front of people who haven’t a clue what it all means.
Street Drug Names for Teens and Dealers
More often than not, street drug names are for teenagers and dealers so that they can communicate with each other about their drug use. Knowing the street names for common drugs can help you decipher a teenager's conversation. If a parent hears certain terms repeatedly, and they correspond to the street names of known drugs, then it can help a parent determine if their teen is using drugs. Repeated use of common drug street names is a sign of teen drug use.
Slang Drug Terms is Geographic
Slang is often specific to different geographic areas. Some slang drug terms mean one thing in part of the U.S. and something different in other parts (as well as in other countries). Slang drug terms may be descriptive of the actual drug or the effects the drug has on the user.
Users often create their own street drug codes to disguise their activity and actions.
If a person is boasting they are under the influence of drugs then they may say “a-boot” or that they are “charged up”. Having withdrawals is commonly referred to as having “agonies”. If an individual has tried to quit using drugs but has relapsed, then they are having a “kickback”. “Chalked up” indicates being under the influence of cocaine and “experience” is tripping on LSD. An airhead is under the influence of marijuana. “Bummer” means that there was a bad experience with drugs.
Common Marijuana Street Names
There is no shortage of slang marijuana terms. Some of the oldies are still around such as: doobee, dope, grass, reefer, 420, ganja and fly Mexican.
Youth who smoke marijuana often seek out small confined areas so that the marijuana smoke can also be inhaled, as well as the second-hand marijuana smoke. Some street terms associated with this include "hot box" and "clam bake".
Terms for marijuana when mixed with another substance include:
- B-40 is a cigar laced with marijuana then dipped in malt liquor.
- Buda is a high-grade marijuana joint filled with crack.
- Greek is marijuana combined with powder cocaine.
- Squirrel is marijuana combined with PCP and sprinkled with cocaine.
- Turbo is marijuana and crack in a joint.
- Woolah is a hollow cigar filled with marijuana and crack.
Alcohol Street Names
Alcohol also has street names but these are generally used by youth who are under the legal drinking age. “Alley juice” or “grapes” is a very cheap wine. Alcohol can also be referred to as being juice or sauce.
There are literally hundreds of street drug names and getting to know all of them is virtually impossible. Three good sources to refer to are:
Office of National Drug Control Policy
Karen Stephenson - Karen has written for several newspapers and print media in addition to many online publications. She holds a B.A. in English and an ...
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