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Drugs

Drugs can be split into two main groups:

  • Legal drugs- over the counter tablets/medicines and prescription drugs
  • Illegal drugs – these include substances such as cocaine and crack, amphetamine (speed), ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cannabis etc.

Illegal drugs can cause a wide range of effects depending on what they are, how much you take, what you take with them and how often you use them – some people take drugs ‘socially’ whilst others become dependent or addicted.

The main drugs are:

  • Cannabis (pot, dope, weed, grass, hash, spliff, marijuana, blow, ganga) Heightens senses, makes people more relaxed and talkative Tiredness, reduces energy levels, can lead to paranoia and temporary increase in appetite (‘munches’). Long term use can cause breathing problems.
  • Amphetamine (speed, whizz, uppers, amph, billy, sulphate) Increases confidence and energy levels. May cause anxiety and tension. Temporary decrease in appetite. High doses may lead to panic attacks and hallucinations. Long term use may increase possibility of heart problems and mental health problems.
  • Cocaine (coke, charlie, snow, C) Increases confidence, feelings of well-being. Can lead to tiredness and depression, restlessness, confusion and paranoia. Long term use may lead to increased dependence, heart problems, convulsions, damage to the septum (inner of the nose), frequent nose bleeds etc.
  • Crack (rock, stone, wash) highly addictive, heart/lung problems. Restlessness, nausea, difficulty sleeping, confusion, paranoia. Can overdose.
  • Ecstasy (E, doves, XTC, fantasy, dolphins, rolexes, hug drug. Chemical name MDMA) Associated with clubbing. Users experience heightened senses and emotions, increased energy. Comedown leaves users feeling tired and depressed – can last for days. Has been associated with death from heat exhaustion and dehydration due to increased energy used for dancing. Limited research has been done re: long term effects but has been linked with liver and kidney problems.
  • Heroin (skag, smack, H, horse, brown, gear, junk, jack) Users have feel relaxed and have sense of well being. Highly addictive. First time use can cause dizziness, sickness or feelings of nausea. Users find they need to use more heroin just to stay normal. Changes in physical appearance include: loss of weight, spots, dark rims under eyes etc. Long term users may change from snorting drug to injection causing risks of ulcers, abscesses, vein damage, gangrene and also increase risk of potentially fatal infections such as HIV and hepatitis (if users share needles). May overdose.
  • Gases, glues and aerosols (solvents) Dizziness, giggly. Can cause hallucinations. Can causes instant death. Other side effects include: nausea, sickness, blackouts, distorts senses (can lead to accidents). Long term use linked with heart, liver, kidney and brain problems.
  • LSD (acid, tabs, blotters, microdots, dots) Taking LSD is known as a ‘trip’ which usually lasts 8 to 12 hours. Effects can depend on the amount taken, your mood before taking LSD and also the people you’re with. Change in senses – can increase intensity of colours, sounds etc. Once the trip begins to take effect, there’s no way to stop it. A bad trip can be terrifying and the user can experience intense fear, paranoia and may even user to find themselves in dangerous (potential fatal) situations e.g. jumping of a building in the belief that they can fly. Users can experience ‘flashbacks’ from bad trips – these may occur for years after the actual trip. Long term effects: users may develop mental health problems including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

Other drugs include:

Anabolic steroids, GHB, Ketamine (Special K, K, Vitamin K), magic mushrooms, poppers (alkyl nitrites), rohypnal etc. – all of which have side effects and are illegal.

Most of the drugs listed are illegal (with the exception of poppers, GHB and anabolic steroids which are prescription only – although supply can be an offence, gases, glues and aerosols which are to be sold to over 18s only, magic mushrooms which grow wild but when ‘prepared’ are illegal).

Different penalties (convictions) apply to possession of drugs, depending mainly on the type of drug and the potential effects they cause. Further charges apply to those involved in selling (dealing) drugs and drug smuggling.