Different drugs have different effects
People take certain drugs to make them feel confident and excited. Others use drugs to relax them or affect the way they see things. It’s impossible to accurately predict the effects of any drug. Much depends on the amount taken, the user’s mood and their surroundings. However, some drugs can be divided into broad groups:
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Stimulants: Drugs which act on the central nervous system and increase brain activity.
(Cocaine; crack; ecstaSy; Poppers; speed; tobacco)
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Depressants: Drugs which act on the central nervous system and slow down brain activity.
(ALCOHOL; GASES, GLUES AND AEROSOLS; TRANQUILLISERS)
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Hallucinogens: Drugs which act on the mind, distorting the way users see and hear things.
(CANNABIS; KETAMINE; LSD; MAGIC MUSHROOMS)
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Analgesics: Drugs which have a painkilling effect.
(HEROIN)
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Anabolic steroids: These drugs promote the growth of skeletal muscle and increase lean body mass.
Crucial questions
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“What does the picture on a tab say about the trip?”
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NOTHING! There is NO connection between the picture and the effects of the acid tab.
Users can experience trips differently every time. The effects depend on the user’s mood, where they are and who they’re with at the time.
There is no way of predicting what a trip will be like.
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“Is cannabis safe?
You may have heard people say cannabis is risk free. This isn’t true.
Heavy use of cannabis over a long period of time can lead to users relying on the drug as a way of relaxing and being sociable.
Heavy, long-term cannabis use can make you feel less energetic than normal. This can have a negative effect on the way you live your life.
Smoking cannabis with tobacco causes lung damage. In fact, it’s reckoned that smoke from an unfiltered spliff carries more risks than a cigarette. However, people tend to smoke many more cigarettes than spliffs.
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“What are the long term effects of taking ecstasy?”
Basically no one really knows. The chemical name for ecstacy is MDMA and what we do know is that MDMA:
dramatically affects the brain chemistry of animals;
has also been linked to liver and kidney problems;
heavy long-term use may increase the chance of severe depression and other mental illnesses in later life.
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In many ways, ecstasy users are human guinea pigs.
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“Smoking and drinking aren't illegal so what's the problem?”
OK, so you can buy cigarettes at 16, and if you’re 18 the pubs can sell you alcoholic drinks, but tobacco and alcohol can be abused like any drug.
Smoke and you risk cancer, heart disease and serious lung problems.
In the UK, about 13 people die every hour because of smoking-related diseases.
Drink too much alcohol and you risk damage to the heart, liver stomach and brain.
One thousand young people under 15 are admitted to hospital each year with acute alcohol intoxication. All need emergency treatment, many in intensive care.
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“When people talk about flashbacks, what do they mean?”
LSD and Magic Mushrooms are hallucinogenic drugs – they change the way a user sees and hears things. This is called a trip. A flashback is something that:
Can happen later –days, months, even years after taking the drug;
Is a sudden memory of something from a previous trip;
May not last long, but can seem very real. If you’re doing something like crossing a road at the time it could leave you exposed to serious danger.
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All drugs carry risks
The effects may be unexpected.
Many drugs sold on the ‘street’ have been mixed with other substances, so users can never be sure what they’re getting.
Users may become tolerant to some drugs (eg alcohol, heroin and speed). This means their bodies have become so used to the drug they need to take more to get the effect they want.
Users may overdose (take too much for their bodies to handle). With alcohol, heroin, gases, glues and aerosols an overdose can be fatal.
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Emergency
Drugs affect everyone differently. Sometimes people suffer a bad reaction. If it all goes horribly wrong, don’t be the one who stands back helpless.
Know what to do if someone:
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Gets really drowsy
Calm them and be reassuring.
NEVER give coffee to rouse them.
If symptoms persist, place them in the recovery position.
Call an ambulance if necessary
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Gets tense and panics
Calm them and be reassuring
Explain that the feelings will pass
Steer them clear of crowds, noisy music and bright lights.
If they start breathing very quickly, calm them down and encourage them
to take long slow breaths
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Gets too hot and dehydrates
Move them to a cooler, quiet area (outside is often best)
Remove excess clothing and try to cool them down.
Encourage them to sip non-alcoholic fluids such as fruit juice and isotonic sports drinks (about a pint every hour).
If symptoms persist call an ambulance, but make sure someone stays with them.
ECSTASY and SPEED affect the body’s temperature control. If users dance energetically without taking regular breaks or keeping up fluids, there’s a real danger that their bodies could overheat and dehydrate (lose too much body fluid). Warning signs include: cramps, fainting, headache or sudden tiredness.
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Becomes unconscious
Call an ambulance
Place them in the recovery position
Check breathing. Be prepared to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Keep them warm, but not too hot.
If you’ve called an ambulance and know what drugs have been taken, always tell the crew. It might SAVE A LIFE and you won’t get into trouble.
Bad deal
"I still don't think of myself as a drug dealer"
EMMA
Age : 16
Lives: Brighton
Occupation: Student
Criminal Charge: POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO SUPPLY
“As I see it, dealers are big-time gangsters, or those people outside clubs trying to sell Es, trips and whiz. All I did was to try to sort a few friends with ecstasy. Like I told the police, my mates asked me. I wasn’t going to push it on them. In fact, I thought I was doing them a favour. I even said that none of the tabs were for me, but it didn’t make any difference.”
Awaiting punishment
“The police haven’t told me what’s going to happen yet. I could get a formal warning or a caution – which means a police record. I might even have to appear in court. The fact that ecstasy is a Class A drug isn’t going to help. Apparently it’s the most serious drugs category of all, and can carry the heaviest penalties. Also, a lot depends on the amount of drugs the police find. I was only carrying a few Es, and I was on my own when they stopped me. Still, the police were convinced that they weren’t just for my own personal use.”
So disappointed
“It’s been a big shock for my parents – when they turned up at the station my mum was white as a sheet. Dad wouldn’t even look at me. They’ve said they’ll stand by me, but I know they feel let down.”
The future
“Word’s already spreading through school. My teachers are bound to find out – and then what? What really hurts is that everyone’s talking about me behind my back. No one understands how bad I feel. I wish I’d known about the risks I was taking. But it’s too late now. I’ve just got to face what’s coming.”
Police may spend more time looking for professional dealers, but they still treat cases like Emma’s very seriously. Possession with intent to supply is a major offence.
The law unlocked
If the police have reason to suspect you’re carrying an illegal drug they have the right to make you turn out your pockets. They can also take you to the police station and search you. If drugs are found, you could be charged with one of TWO offences:
Possession
This means being caught with an illegal drug for your own use. The police can tell your parent/s or carer. They could also inform the Social Services and the Probation Service. As for punishment, the police have these options:
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a formal warning (which is put on local police files – if you offend again this may influence the police to charge you, rather than caution you);
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a formal caution (a central police record held for 5 years – if you offend again, this can be used against you);
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to charge you with an offence leading to a Youth Court hearing (this is more likely for repeat offenders, who may end up with a fine or a custodial sentence).
Possession with intent to supply drugs
If you had any intention of dealing (which can include giving and sharing drugs) you may be charged with this more serious offence. Decisions over whether you’re charged with intent to supply are based on the circumstances in which you were caught and the quantity of drugs you were caught with. The police can take the same course of action as in simple possession cases, but this time you’re more likely to be charged. If you case goes to court the penalties are likely to be heavier.
Ignorance won’t wash with the law. The Misuse of Drugs Act divides drugs into three classes and gives guidelines for penalties:
Class A
cocaine, crack, ecstasy, heroin, LSD(acid), magic mushrooms prepared for use, speed(amphetamines) if prepared for injection, and in some instances cannabis oil
Max penalties:
Class B
Speed (amphetamines)
Max penalties:
Class C
Cannabis, rohypnol, supply of anabolic steroids and tranquilisers/possession of temazepam (mazzies)
Max penalties:
Some drugs are controlled by the Medicines Act. While it isn’t illegal to possess drugs such as GHB or Ketamine, supply is still an offence. As for Alcohol; Gases, Glues and Aerosols; Poppers and Tobacco; the law handles each of these differently.
