WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS?
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"I want to
be accepted in the in-crowd."
"Loads of people do it - why
shouldn't I?"
"I'm fed up - I want to feel good."
"It's a good
way to relieve stress."
"It's a great way to relax."
"I'm bored. It's exciting and dangerous."
"It's cool."
"It's grown-up."
"I want to rebel."
"It's fun to experiment."
People think
that drugs will make them feel good.
Are they right??????
I suppose you could say,
'Yes' in one way.
Many drugs do make you feel good for a while,
because most drugs act directly on the "pleasure centre"
- the limbic system - in the brain.
Unfortunately, these feelings are followed
by even more powerful feelings such as depression, anxiety, nausea,
guilt, embarrassment, loneliness and wanting more drugs.
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Fact:
The chances
are that you will be offered drugs
at some point in your life.
So:
You need to be armed and ready.
You need to know
* what drugs are around,
* what these drugs do to you and
* what the law says.
You don't want to end up messed
up by drugs or
in trouble with the police
just because you haven't really thought about it properly.
What do drugs feel
like?
Depending on the drug, many people report feelings like happiness,
confidence, or even euphoria (a feeling of great joy, excitement or well-being) when they take drugs.
What do drugs do to your body in the
short term?
Every drug is different, but the general idea is, drugs interfere
with your nervous system's basic functions.
Sometimes they alter your muscles and how they function too.
That's why people feel different - their brains and nerves and muscles
have been juggled around, making them have sensations they aren't
used to.
* Almost all drugs can make it tougher to sleep.
* Some cause major weight gain,
* Some cause unhealthy weight loss.
* Your eyes get all glassy and bloodshot,
* Your heart races,
* Sometimes
you get diarrhoea.
* Some drugs can cause immediate death.
* Some give
even healthy people a heart attack on the spot.
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What do drugs do
to your body in the long term?
It all depends on the drug.
Using drugs over and over for a long period of time can cause lots
of medical problems, from lung cancer (pot) to big time brain damage (ecstasy).
Depression is a serious problem for many, but there are
also other knock-on effects such as
.........................telling lies,
.........................stealing money
for drugs,
.........................sometimes violence.
For some people, once they've started taking drugs, they become
addicted.
They want more - in fact, they feel like they need more.
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CANNABIS
Cannabis is also known by many different names including bhang,
black, blast, blow, blunts, bob hope, bush, dope, draw, ganga, grass,
hash, hashish, hemp, herb, marijuana, mary jane, pot, puff, northern
lights, resin, sensi, sensemilla, shit, skunk, smoke, spliff, wacky
backy, weed and zero.
Cannabis a natural drug derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant,
which is found wild in most parts of the world and easily cultivated
in Britain.
It comes in three forms:
* as a solid dark lump known as a resin,
*
as leaves, stalks and seeds called grass, or
*
as sticky oil.
It can be rolled with a tobacco in a spliff or joint, smoked on
its own in a pipe, or eaten as part of a cake or cookie.
What are the risks?
As well as the risk of nicotine addiction, the deep inhalation associated
with cannabis smoking effects the lungs and can lead to cancer
and other smoking-related diseases.
Cannabis use
*
affects short-term memory,
*
affects the ability to concentrate,
and
*
affects co-ordination.
The use of cannabis can make you feel paranoid or anxious, and a
sensation of dizziness or nausea can occur, especially if taken
in combination with alcohol.
If you begin cannabis use at an early age when the brain is still
developing you will be more vulnerable to the risks.
What does the law say?
It is illegal to grow, possess or supply cannabis to another person.
It is also an offence to allow your house (or any other premises you have responsibility for) to be used for growing cannabis or smoking it.
Cannabis is controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act and is categorised as a Class C drug.
The maximum penalty for supply, dealing and production (including cultivation) and trafficking is 14 years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for possession has been reduced from 5 years to 2 years imprisonment. |
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HEROIN
Heroin is made from the chemical morphine, which is extracted from
the dried latex of the opium poppy.
Heroin was originally used as
a painkiller in the 19th century, until doctors realised its highly
addictive quality.
Pure heroin is a white powder, but street heroin comes as a brownish-white
powder that can be smoked, snorted or dissolved and injected.
Most of the heroin that is smuggled into the UK comes from Afghanistan.
Heroin can also known as brown, china white, dragon, gear, H, horse,
junk, skag, smack and jack.
What are the effects?
Heroin is extremely fast acting, and within a few seconds a small
dose will give the user an instant feeling of well-being.
Heroin use also causes
*
lack of concentration,
*
suppresses pain, and
*
sometimes induces anxiety and fear.
Physical effects can include
* blurred vision,
*
sweating,
*
slow breathing,
as well as
*
nausea and vomiting.
What are the risks?
Heroin is a very addictive drug,
and large doses can lead to stupour and also coma and, in some cases,
death.
Because it is so addictive, users may find themselves taking more
and more heroin just to feel normal.
According to government
findings, users spend, on average, £10,000 a year to fund
their habit.
The purity of street heroin can also vary quite widely, as the drug
can be mixed with other white powders, such as chalk, flour, talcum
powder and caffeine.
The impurity of the drug means it's often difficult to gauge the
strength of the dosage, so there is always the risk of overdose.
Heroin is generally injected, which can cause very serious damage
to the veins and also puts the user at risk of infection from HIV,
hepatitis and other diseases transmitted via used needles.
In the first few hours after the last dose, users will suffer
*
aches,
*
hot and cold sweats,
*
sneezing and spasms.
These are at their worst after about
three days and fade away after about ten days.
Fatigue and weakness may last for several months.
What does the law say?
Heroin is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which means it is illegal to be in possession of, or supply heroin.
The maximum penalty for possession is seven years imprisonment, and a supplier will receive a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. |
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SOLVENT
ABUSE
When people think of solvent abuse, the first thoughts are usually
about glue sniffing, however abusers do not just sniff glue.
Solvents include all substances that contain butane or propane gas.
This includes gas refills and lighters, some aerosols, some air
fresheners, some paint, thinners and correcting fluid.
What are the effects?
The effects of solvent abuse start almost immediately after inhalation,
and last between 15 to 45 minutes, unless the user continues to
repeat the dose.
Users normally feel an initial euphoria and lowering of inhibitions
that is followed by feelings that are similar to those when you
are drunk;
*
disorientation,
*
blurred vision,
*
dizziness,
*
slurred speech,
*
drowsiness, and
*
hallucinations.
Users can also experience nausea, blackouts and sickness.
After-effects
include a mild hangover that leaves the user feeling tired and lacking
in concentration for about a day.
What are the risks?
Risks include
*
fatal heart problems,
*
nausea,
*
vomiting,
*
severe headaches
and
*
blackouts.
The most obvious visual signs are the spots or rash, which the user
develops around the mouth and nose.
The long-term effects of solvent abuse might include brain damage,
and kidney or liver failure.
Many users also place plastic bags over their heads to get the full
effect from the solvents, and this can lead to accidental suffocation,
while other users face the risk of choking on their own vomit if
they blackout.
What does the law say?
Solvents are used around the home every day so it is not illegal to possess them. However, it is illegal for a retailer to sell gas lighter refills to anyone under the age of 18, and breaking this law could lead to six months in prison or a maximum £5,000 fine. |
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COCAINE
Cocaine is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant found in
South America and is a very strong stimulant affecting the nervous
system.
Cocaine comes in the form of a white powder.
In powder form,
cocaine can be snorted up the nose, tasted on the gums, or dissolved
and injected.
Cocaine is also known as C, charlie, coke, dust, gold dust, snow,
white and also bugle.
What are the effects?
Because cocaine is a stimulant, users feel a sense of wellbeing,
confidence and alertness, and they are left with a craving for more,
as well as a feeling of indifference.
Users will also experience
*
dilated pupils,
*
a rise in body temperature,
* a rise
in heart rate and
* an increase in
blood pressure will increase.
These effects
last for about half an hour, and then users experience the depression
and tiredness of the comedown, which can last for a couple of days.
What are the risks?
The effects of the comedown are severe, and users often take
more and more cocaine to delay the feelings of depression and tiredness.
A habit can costs thousands of pounds a year, and
prolonged use can also lead to panic attacks and paranoia.
Heavy use of cocaine can cause
*
chest pain,
*
heart problems,
*
convulsions,
and if taken in large enough doses it can be fatal.
The process of snorting cocaine, if done repeatedly, can damage
the small piece of skin and cartilage separating
the nostrils.
It also causes
nasal ulcers and nosebleeds.
Injecting
cocaine could also lead to the contraction of HIV and hepatitis.
The long-term use of cocaine can cause serious mental health problems
ranging from mild depression to the extremes of cocaine psychosis,
in which the user has symptoms similar to schizophrenia.
(Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disease.
People with schizophrenia often suffer terrifying symptoms such
as hearing internal voices not heard by others, or believing that
other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts,
or plotting to harm them).
What does the law say?
Cocaine is defined as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and being caught in possession can lead to a maximum of seven years in prison and/or a fine.
Being caught in possession with intent to supply, or supplying the cocaine means a maximum prison sentence of life. |
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CRACK
Crack is a smokeable form of cocaine that comes in the form of small
irregular shaped lumps, and it is basically a mix of powder cocaine,
baking soda and water.
It gets its name from the cracking sound it makes when it is being
smoked.
It's also known as rock, wash and stone.
What are the effects?
The effects of crack are similar to those experienced by users of
cocaine, although the 'hit' is usually more intense, doesn't last
as long, and can be harder to control.
As well as losing their appetite, users often experience a feeling
of well-being and confidence, as well as an indifference to pain
and fatigue.
What are the risks?
Again the risks are similar to those associated with cocaine, although
crack users can be increasingly aggressive and paranoid if they
become dependent on the drug.
The comedown experience includes feelings of
*
nausea,
*
restlessness,
*
sleeplessness and
*
exhaustion.
Crack is a highly addictive drug that is expensive and can result
in
*
fatal heart problems,
*
convulsions,
*
damage to the
lungs and
*
chest pains.
Heavy regular use can affect mental
health making users
*
restless,
*
confused and
*
paranoid.
What does the law say?
Crack is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which means it is illegal to be in possession of, or supply, crack.
The maximum penalties for possession are seven years imprisonment plus a fine, and a supplier will receive a maximum of a sentence of life imprisonment. |
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ECSTASY
Ecstasy can also be known as E, XTC, disco biscuits, burgers, fantasy,
hug drug, echoes, chiefs, mitsubishes, dolphins, Rolexes, adam and
X.
Ecstasy is a man-made psychoactive drug that induces a combination
of the effects of amphetamines and hallucinogens, such as LSD, in
the user.
Ecstasy usually comes in the form of different coloured tablets
and capsules, which are swallowed, but it can also be crushed and
snorted, or smoked.
The hundreds of different names given to ecstasy often come from
the small image that is stamped on top of each tablet, or from the
shape of the tablet itself.
What are the effects?
After taking an ecstasy tablet users commonly feel an initial rush
of adrenaline, followed by a combination of feeling energetic but
calm.
Colour, sound, and emotions can seem more intense, and as the drug
starts to take effect, users can experience nausea, as well as an
increased heart rate.
In some cases, the jaw will tighten, and the mouth and throat become
dry as the user starts to sweat more especially when combined with
prolonged activity and dancing.
A single dose of ecstasy takes effect after about twenty minutes
and lasts for up to six hours.
What are the risks?
Ecstasy affects how the body regulates temperature, and as a result
there is a serious risk of
*
dehydration and
*
overheating if the user
doesn't drink enough liquid.
It also increases blood pressure, placing added strain on the heart.
Co-ordination can also be affected, and some experts are concerned
that use of ecstasy can lead to brain damage, liver and kidney problems.
According to government statistics, about 20 people a year die from
taking ecstasy, usually as a result of hypothermia and dehydration.
What does the law say?
Ecstasy is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which means that doctors cannot prescribe it, and it is illegal to be in possession of, or supply it.
Maximum penalties for possession are seven years imprisonment plus a fine, and the penalty for supplying, or possession with intent to supply, is a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
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AMYL
NITRATE
Amyl nitrite is also known as poppers, butyl nitrate, TNT, liquid
gold, rush, ram, thrust, rock hard, kix.
Amyl Nitrite is a clear or straw-coloured
liquid that usually comes in a small bottle or tube. First produced
in the 19th century it was used to ease chest pains (angina).
The liquid
is generally inhaled either from the bottle or a cloth.
It is a powerful drug that can give you an almighty burst of energy
for a couple of minutes.
It has a sweet odour when fresh, but when
stale develops a smell similar to dirty socks.
What are the effects?
The effects kick in almost immediately and you experience a brief,
but intense head rush that begins to fade after 2-5 minutes.
What are the risks?
Common symptoms include:
*
A powerful headache,
* feeling faint and sick and
* a flushed face and
neck.
Users have been known to lose consciousness especially if engaged
in vigorous activities such as dancing or running.
If you have
high blood pressure or heart problems you run the risk of a heart
attack.
Taking amyl nitrites with drink or a combination of other drugs
is extremely dangerous.
What does the law say?
It is illegal to sell amyl nitrites if they are to be inhaled, as this could then be termed a medicine and would be controlled under the Medicines Act.
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Question.
"How can I say no to these things? I'm afraid I won't fit
in".
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Answer.
It's not as hard to refuse
as you might think.
Try: "No thanks," or "I'm not interested." |
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