Drugs – what’s the big deal?

The most common drug abused by young people is alcohol, followed by smoking. Alcohol results in more accidents and deaths every year than any other drug and the health risks for both increase the young you are when you start. This page mainly deals with information about illegal drugs; for more on alcohol and smoking see the relevant web page.

Check it out: Think safe, drink safe and smoking

Illegal drugs

Cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy are examples of illegal drugs that people take. Most young people come into contact with drugs at some point but only a very small minority go on to become habitual users.

If you need to talk to someone in complete confidence about drugs you can talk to Frank on 0800 77 66 00.

Taking drugs

People take drugs for many different reasons. They might be pressured into taking them by friends, family or partners, or as an attempt to escape difficulty and pain in their life. But many people take drugs for no particular reason – just following a suggestion, curiosity.

If you take an illegal drug, you runs the risk of:

• Prosecution and a criminal record: Taking drugs is illegal.
• Immediate health risks: There are different risks for every drug, but bad reactions include madness (speed), sudden death (solvents) and brain damage (ecstasy).
• Taking the wrong thing or taking too much: Drugs vary in strength, and may be contaminated with other substances. The person you get them from may lie about what they are, or not know what they are.
• Accidents or dangerous behaviour: Most drugs lower your inhibitions, some make you very confused, leaving you vulnerable to attack, sexual assault, fights and accidents.
• Mental distress: Though drugs are taken to feel good, many can also make you feel unhappy, panicked or distressed. These feelings can be very strong.

Some people seem to be more at risk from drugs than others, but it is impossible to predict who will be more vulnerable to bad effects. You can suffer a bad reaction to drugs even if:

• you are happy and healthy
• you are used to taking drugs
• you've taken the same drug before.

People who take illegal drugs regularly, in large amounts, over a long period, are taking these risks all the time. Over time, the chances of all these bad things happening increases, and the amount of drugs you take is also likely to increase.

You are also likely to suffer from:

• serious long-term health effects
• dependency (getting addicted)
• changes in your behaviour and lifestyle (getting chucked out of home, losing the support of friends and family).

Not everyone takes drugs

Many people of all ages chose not to take drugs.

• Religious reasons
• Training for sports, keeping fit
• Health problems or medication
• Family history of drug or alcohol problems
• School or work
• Healthy lifestyle
• Allergies or sensitivities
• Don't have time or money to spare
• Not their scene.

If you decide not to take drugs, that's your decision, and you should expect other people to respect that. It’s not cool to take drugs so don’t let someone persuade you it is.

My experience: ‘Getting off cannabis with the help of a drugs worker’

‘My worker helped me to get off the drugs and back onto the straight and narrow. He listened to me and got into my head – but in a good way. He’d say something that would touch me and make me think about my life so that I would give an honest response. Over the next five months I took on board what was said to me and made an effort to change some of the smaller things in my life. Now I have changed my lifestyle, I can sleep better, I take on board encouragement, my self-esteem has improved and I don't live in fear or feel paranoid anymore. The best thing is that I don't feel the need to smoke anymore and this is a really positive change. Now I am far more in control of my life.’ – C, age 19

Find out more…

• If you're worried about your own drug use, or somebody else's, support is available. Lots of people start by contacting Frank, the drugs helpline, which is available on 0800 77 66 00 at any time.
• NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics) provide information, advice and support through their website and helpline on 0800 358 3456.
• Local support for young people who have drugs-related issues (including being affected by other people's drug use) is available from Young Addaction.
• You can also contact SMART who have workers experienced in helping people with their alcohol and drug problems.  They have drop-ins and programmes around the county.  email info@smartcjs.org.uk or visit www.smartcjs.org.uk.
• If you are 18 or over and live in North Oxfordshire W.I.R.E.D Working in Recovery Every Day might be for you. W.I.R.E.D is made up of workers and volunteers all of whom have been through addiction and are now in recovery.  We believe that the way forward is through giving our members the best real life experiences, empathy and understanding.  W.I.R.E.D is based at tHe banbury Theraapy Centre 69 Oxford Road.  Tel: 01295 231323