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Drugs and Substances

Life is all about having new experiences. It's normal to want to have a go at new things, even if you know they're bad for you - learning from your own mistakes is how you learn. Drugs are something you and your friends will most likely be offered at some point, with the prospect of new mind-altering experiences.

We can tell you not to take drugs - but whether you listen or not is your choice. If you are thinking about trying drugs, you should find out what they do, what's in them and all the risks. It can only take one 'bad trip' to have an impact on your health.

Why would you choose to try drugs?

• You might be tempted to try drugs because your friends or family members have tried drugs too. When you want to try something because everyone else is doing it, this is called peer pressure. What's most important though is to ignore peer pressure and take your own stand.
• You might feel stressed or bored and want to try something that sounds like it will make you feel better or 'high'. But with drugs, this feeling is artificial and doesn’t last. It makes more sense to deal with the real issues getting you down than to seek an artificial buzz.
• You might be offered drugs to chill out and socialise with friends during social situations, such as clubbing. This is called recreational drug use. Whether the use of drugs is really necessary in order for you to have a good time is something for you to think about.

Different drugs and the ways they can affect you

All drugs affect the way both your body and mind work. There are many different types of drugs you may be offered that have very different effects:

• Stimulants: these act on your central nervous system and increase activity in your brain. Drugs that do this include cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines (also called ‘Speed’) and alkyl nitrites.
• Depressants: these act on your central nervous system and slow down activity in your brain. Drugs that do this include tranquillisers, alcohol and GHB (Gamma Hydroxy-butrate).
• Hallucinogens: these act on your mind and distort your senses including vision and hearing, causing you to hallucinate (see, feel or hear things that aren’t real). Drugs that do this include cannabis, acid (also called LSD), magic mushrooms and ketamine.
• Analgesics: these have a painkilling effect. Drugs that do this include heroin.

People may have different experiences from others while taking drugs. These different reactions are due to individual differences i.e physical health; emotional health; the drug itself (including the strength, how regularly it's taken, and what it's mixed with); the way the drugs are taken (e.g. smoking or injecting); and environment (where you are and who you're with).

The risks of taking drugs

Using drugs can have unpredictable permanent effects—for example there is increasing evidence of a link between cannabis use and schizophrenia (a mental illness).

• You never know what is in drugs you are offered. They are almost never pure and could be mixed with other dangerous substances. For example, recently there was a warning about cannabis going around that had glass contaminants in it.
• You could accidentally overdose (take too much) and fall unconscious or even die because you can’t ever tell how strong drugs you are offered may be.
• Mixing drugs, including taking drugs with alcohol, can be very dangerous.
• Some drugs are injected with needles. Sharing needles puts you at risk of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis. It is always more risky to inject drugs.
• It’s illegal to take drugs, supply others with drugs or possess drugs. You could get a criminal record, have to pay a fine or even go to prison.
• You could get addicted to drugs and become dependent on them to feel normal. This can be very expensive and can affect your relationships, work, school, health and other areas of your life.

Links: Drugs and Substances

If you are under 19 and need information, advice and/or support in relation to drugs, alcohol and/or smoking contact the ID (information dealers) team : Text or telephone on 0786 753 6967 - Email: id@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Here are some links to sites with additional information on drugs and substances: