Select the correct answer.

________________ is the term used to describe drugs that often lead to other serious and dangerous drug use.
A.
Synthetic drugs
B.
Illegal drugs
C.
Gateway drugs
D.
OTC drugs

C. Gateway drugs

C.

Gateway drugs

is the term used to describe drugs that often lead to other serious and dangerous drug use.

To select the correct answer, we can break down the options and analyze each one.

A. Synthetic drugs: Synthetic drugs are man-made substances that mimic the effects of illegal drugs. While they can be dangerous, they may not necessarily lead to other serious and dangerous drug use.

B. Illegal drugs: Illegal drugs are substances that are prohibited by law. While they are associated with serious and dangerous drug use, not all illegal drugs necessarily lead to further drug use.

C. Gateway drugs: Gateway drugs are the substances that are believed to lead an individual to try more powerful or dangerous drugs. This term is often used to describe substances that are commonly used before experimenting with more serious substances.

D. OTC drugs: Over-the-counter drugs are medications that are available without a prescription. These drugs are generally safe when used as directed and do not typically lead to serious and dangerous drug use.

Based on the definitions provided, the correct answer is C. Gateway drugs. Gateway drugs are substances that are commonly associated with leading individuals to experiment with more dangerous and serious drugs.