Though alcohol is a serious drug, illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and the like have the potential to be much more dangerous. These illegal drugs may be broken down into two classes: stimulants and depressants. Th is section focuses on the use of illegal stimulants.

Stimulants are drugs which temporarily stimulate the body. They also suppress appetite and temporarily relieve emotional depression. There are many kinds of stimulants, both legal and illegal. Caffiene, speed, cocaine, and legal and illegal amphetamines all fall under this category.

Amphetamines. Amphetamines are often used by airplane pilots and truck drivers to stay awake for long stretches of time. However, though the amphetamines hold off sleep and give the user the illusion of energy, they cannot eliminate weariness and fatigue. So though the driver taking amphetamines may feel as awake and functional as ever, the driver's fatigued mind is likely to make poor decisions or lose attention. In addition, amphetamines can produce exaggerated self-confidence and make the user take irrational r isks. All this taken together makes for an extremely dangerous driver. The student who has taken amphetamines in order to stay awake and study is also under risk and is not fit to drive.

Cocaine. Cocaine can severely impair judgement, and persuade a driver to take ridiculous risks and drive at speeds where it becomes impossible to control a vehicle. In addition, large doses of cocaine can produce hallucinations, panic, and abr upt changes in perception. Especially in large doses or extended highs, cocaine is an extremely dangerous drug.

All stimulants, when taken in strong doses, are dangerous drugs for a driver. It is also important to remember that though a stimulant can make the user feel awake, it cannot prevent physical and mental fatigue, and driving while fatigued is da ngerous.

Amphetamines are a class of drug, C6H13N, that stimulate the nervous system, used often to stay awake, help alleviate depression, and control the appetite. The drugs are sometimes used for medical purposes, but there are als o illegal variants, such as meth.