street drug
Noun: A street drug is an illegal or controlled psychoactive substance that is bought, sold, and used outside of legitimate medical channels. It is typically taken for recreational, non-medicinal purposes to alter one's mental state (produce mind-altering effects). The use of such drugs often involves significant risks, including abuse, which can lead to physical harm, mental health problems, and, with many substances, dependence and addiction.
The term street drug is used to distinguish these substances from prescription or over-the-counter medications used for therapeutic purposes. It emphasizes their illicit nature and common point of sale or acquisition ("on the street").
Examples: * The documentary explored the devastating impact of street drugs on urban communities. * Heroin is a powerful and dangerous street drug. * Law enforcement seized a large quantity of street drugs in the raid. * He warned his students about the risks associated with using any street drug.
- The term can sometimes be used attributively (like an adjective) before another noun.
- Example: "The city has a growing street-drug problem."
- It often carries connotations of danger, illegality, and social problems.
- Illicit drug: A very close synonym, emphasizing the illegal status of the substance.
- Recreational drug: A term that focuses on the purpose of use (for pleasure) but may downplay the associated risks and illegality.
- Designer drug: A synthetic drug created to mimic the effects of illegal street drugs while attempting to circumvent drug laws.
- Hard drug: Refers to street drugs considered to be especially addictive and dangerous, such as heroin or cocaine.
- Illicit drug
- Illegal drug
- Controlled substance (legal/formal term)
- Narcotic (though technically this refers to a specific class like opioids)
- Prescription drug
- Medication
- Pharmaceutical
- Therapeutic drug
- Street value: The price of illegal drugs when sold illicitly.
- Example: "The cocaine had a street value of over a million dollars."
- Street dealer: A person who sells illegal drugs in public or semi-public places.
- Example: "He was arrested for acting as a street dealer."
- a drug that is taken for nonmedicinal reasons (usually for mind-altering effects); drug abuse can lead to physical and mental damage and (with some substances) dependence and addiction