MedicineLakex

 

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ABOUT DRUGS.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE Drugs – lots of them –
lots to know about them
THINK EVERYONE BC
Acid [LSD]
Junk [Heroin]
Base [Speed]
Legal Highs
TAKES DRUGS? E
Bhang [Cannabis]
Liberties [Magic mushrooms]
Billy [Speed]
Liquid Gold [Poppers]
Black [Cannabis]
Lucy [LSD]
Blow [Cannabis]
Marijuana [Cannabis]
MOST PEOPLE DON'T. H
Brown [Heroin]
MDMA [Ecstasy]
Mephedrone Meth [Speed]
Christine [Methylamphetamine] Mushies [Magic mushrooms]
In fact, 60% of 16–24 year olds have never taken an Coke [Cocaine]
Percy [Cocaine]
illegal drug. So how do you know what's fact and Crazy medicine
Pills [Ecstasy]
[Methylamphetamine] Puff [Cannabis]
Crystal Meth
Resin [Cannabis]
This A-Z booklet gives the lowdown on lots legal and M
[Methylamphetamine] Rock [Crack cocaine]
Dope [Cannabis]
Shrooms [Magic mushrooms]
It tells you about their risks as well as their effects Draw [Cannabis]
Skag [Heroin]
and other information that is useful to know. Like Drone [Mephedrone]
Skunk [Cannabis]
what to do if you're worried about a mate. Or what Dust [Cocaine]
Smilies [LSD]
E [Ecstasy]
Snow [Cocaine]
happens when you mix drugs.
Flash [LSD]
Spliff [Cannabis]
There are also stories from people who've been Freebase [Crack cocaine]
Tab [LSD]
there, done that. And details on where to go for Ganja [Cannabis]
Tina [Methylamphetamine]
help and advice so that, when it comes to drugs, Gear [Cannabis and Heroin] Toot [Cocaine]
you know the score.
Glass [Methylamphetamine] Trips [LSD]
Grass [Cannabis]
Wash [Crack cocaine]
H [Heroin]
Weed [Cannabis]
Hash [Cannabis]
White [Cocaine]
Herb [Cannabis]
Whizz [Speed]
Ice [Methylamphetamine]
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE

anabolic steroids
Looks like: Beer, lager,
alcopops, cider, wine, spirits and shots.
Looks like: Tablets that
are swallowed or a liquid Highs: In small amounts
that is injected.
alcohol can help you relax and feel more or even kill you. If you Highs: Steroids help
drink alcohol a lot, you build up muscles if you sociable. It can make your emotions more can end up feeling take them as part of • girls – you can get intense, which might be depressed. A long-term a strenuous exercise extra facial hair, a ok if you're in a good drinking habit can cause deep voice and your mood, but not so great if liver, heart and stomach might also help people breasts could shrink you're feeling low.
problems. You can recover faster from such You might start getting also get addicted and Lows: Too much alcohol
paranoid, confused or become an alcoholic.
and you'll start slurring Lows: Steroids can make have trouble sleeping.
your words and get you aggressive, even if Longer term, they can clumsy or fall over. You you are normally calm. give you high blood They can also stop you pressure and liver or might start crying or 18, it is illegal getting angry – or do growing properly.
heart problems. After something you regret. you stop taking them, • blokes – you can get Mixing with other drugs you might feel tired or erection problems, can be dangerous, and low for a while. There's grow breasts, develop drinking too much in one a risk of damaging acne or your testicles go can lead to alcohol your veins or muscles if poisoning which can your behalf.
make you unconscious 0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE It's the way you feel after taking a drug. It depends When I think of dealers I think of big time on what the drug is and how much you've taken. gangsters or people outside clubs. Not And it depends on how you are feeling, where you me. All I did was try to sort a few friends out with are taking it and who you're with. But you might… some pills and a bit of whizz. The police haven't 1. Get high
told me what's going to happen yet. I could get a Some drugs make you feel more alert and reprimand or a formal warning. I might even have to energetic = cocaine; crack; ecstasy; poppers; appear in court. Mum was in a state of shock when speed, mephedrone she turned up at the police station. She's said she'll stand by me but I know she feels let down. 2. Calm down
Some drugs slow you down. They can make you feel calm and sleepy = alcohol; cannabis; gases, glues and aerosols [also known as volatile substances]; GHB; tranquillisers, heroin See THE LAW [page 25]
3. Trip out
for more info on what could happen if you Some drugs affect your mind. They distort the way supply drugs to friends you see, hear, feel and smell things = cannabis; – even if you give them ecstasy; ketamine; LSD; magic mushrooms 4. Get knocked out
Some drugs block out physical and emotional pain But if the high was the only thing that happened,
wouldn't everyone be taking drugs?
See COMEDOWN (page 11) and check out the
LOWS throughout this leaflet.
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Looks like:
Regular users have Long-term use may an increased risk of affect memory and • hash = blacky-brown mental health problems, concentration levels, lump made from resin including schizophrenia. which can hinder • grass or weed = the This could be worse if performance in school, dried, chopped leaves. you smoke a lot, are college or work – in Often called ‘herbal' young and smoke strong some cases causing cannabis like skunk. people to give up or • skunk = a type of Cannabis is particularly drop out. Cannabis has herbal cannabis. On risky if you've a history of also been associated average, it is 2-4 times mental health problems, with draining people stronger than other the giggles. It can depression or paranoia.
of energy, leaving users make colours and tired and lazy and more Usually mixed with sounds seem brighter likely to sit around than tobacco and smoked as and sharper. get on with things.
a spliff or joint. Can also Lows: Some people
be used to make tea or go pale and feel sick, can be baked in ‘hash especially if they've Just because cannabis is natural cakes' and cookies.
been drinking. Some doesn't mean it won't harm you. And people get anxious don't forget, cannabis is illegal.
Highs: Smoking a spliff
or paranoid. Smoking makes a lot of people it increases your happy and relaxed and chances of getting the effects can last a few hours. Some people diseases like lung have one puff and get cancer and bronchitis. 0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE The costs are not just financial. Socially and environmentally, drugs take their toll. Because drugs don't just affect the Drugs cost. If you take pills every weekend, you
people who use them: they impact on could easily end up spending quite a chunk of cash the lives of people who become victims in a year just on the drugs. Stealing to pay for drugs of drug-related crime, and on those who can land you with a conviction.
have to live with the mess that drug users leave behind. They also affect workers in other countries It was getting crazy. Each time I did it, I just who grow the raw materials, and the wanted more. I was blowing all my cash on people who are involved in smuggling it – and always looking out for a chance to score. and transportation.
My girlfriend was getting fed up with me having no money so I decided I had to face up to what drugs were costing me. Sean, 18
And there are other costs too: With drugs like cocaine, speed and ecstasy the high Q
• to your health is followed by a comedown where you might feel • to your safety tired, depressed or physically low.
• to your goals With ecstasy, the comedown following weekend clubbing can last a few days, and some clubbers Drugs can cost you even more.
call it "mid-week flu". With crack cocaine the Check out THE LAW on page 25.
comedown is more of a crash and you might crave more of the drug. When they crash, some people can get irritable or aggressive.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE

Looks like: A white
powder. It can be snorted, smoked or Looks like: Small lumps or rocks
about the size of a raisin. It's called crack because Highs: Makes you
it makes a crackling sound when it's being burnt. feel wide awake and Usually smoked or it can also be injected.
confident. It can give Highs: Same short-lived effects as snorting cocaine,
your ego a real boost, but much stronger and a more intense high.
so you might end up The hit is quite short- Lows: Crack cocaine is extremely addictive and it's
thinking you're the world's lived – 20-30 minutes an expensive habit because the effects wear off greatest flirt, dancer or – so people are often comedian [although tempted to take more. so quickly. It can cause mood swings and massive usually you're not!].
After a big night on paranoia. High doses can raise your temperature and stop you breathing and, if you overdose, it can Lows: Because cocaine
coke you might feel like lead to a heart attack and can be fatal. Heavy is really addictive, a you've got flu.
users often get anxious and paranoid, have trouble habit can be expensive. Using it regularly can sleeping and feel sick quite a lot.
Snorting it can destroy the make you feel run-down, inside of your nose and panicky and reduce high doses can stop you your sex drive.
breathing. Even young crystal meth See page 34
people can have a fit or heart attack after taking too much and people have died from overdose.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE

Feeling a bit low or moody the day after – or sometimes even longer – is part of the deal with Sometimes it gets more Looks like: Pure ecstasy
serious. If things don't is a white crystal powder make sense any more didn't feel like which scientists call and you want to curl up myself anymore. I didn't ‘MDMA'. Ecstasy sold on as drinking too quickly the street usually comes interferes with your and hide, you probably know where the old me in tablets and is unlikely body's salt balance, need to talk to someone had gone to. who can help, such as to be pure MDMA. It which can be as deadly Sammi, 18
also comes in all sorts of as not drinking enough colours and designs, and water. Reduce the risks can sometimes be sold by sipping no more than a pint of water or non-alcoholic fluid Highs: You have loads of every hour. There have
You know that drink-driving is illegal. What you might energy. Sounds, colours not know is that driving when high is also illegal – been over 200 reported and emotions feel more and you can still be unfit to drive the day after using ecstasy-related deaths intense – you might feel a drug. You can get a heavy fine, be disqualified in the UK since 1990. like you love everyone from driving or even go to prison In some cases E stops You need co-ordination, anticipation, concentration the body producing Lows: Ecstasy can cause
and good judgement to drive safely. And all of these urine, so if you drink too anxiety, panic attacks things can go out of the window if you're on drugs.
much liquid too quickly, and confusion. It raises it can interfere badly The police use roadside tests to find out whether your temperature and with your body's salt motorists are unfit to drive because of alcohol makes your heart beat balance, which >>>
faster. Be careful though, 0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE >>> can be as deadly
See HARM (page 19)
gases, glues and
as not drinking enough What's in your E? water. You never know See X – the ‘unknown'
what you're getting with aerosols and other
an E or how you'll react.
Looks like: Gas lighter
scare or chase someone refills, cans of hairspray, who is high on a volatile substance as a sudden FRANK is here to give you friendly, confidential
fresheners, tins or tubes shock can be fatal.
advice on any subject related to drugs:
of glue and nail varnish.
They can seriously affect • what they are and what they do Highs: Makes you feel
your judgment so you • pressure from your mates dizzy and lose your might try something stupid. At the very least, • looking after yourself you could get a red rash Lows: Volatile substances around your mouth, be
• what to do if things go wrong can lead to coma and sick or pass out.
• where to get help locally heart problems and can kill you instantly. FRANK is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People have died the Calls are free from landlines and some mobiles. You first time they've used can talk to FRANK confidentially: them. Squirting gas • on 0800 77 66 00
products into your mouth is particularly dangerous • by textphone [for the hard of hearing]
and deadly. It makes your 0800 917 8765
throat swell so you can't breathe and makes • by going to www.talktofrank.com
your heart slow down. • by emailing [email protected]
It's important not to it to get high.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE

GHB and GBL
FRANK ADVICE
Substances are not safe and can cause long-
Looks like: They are clear
term harm. The safest option is not to use drugs.
liquids with no smell, which taste slightly salty. They come Anyone who does take drugs should: in small bottles or capsules. • avoid mixing drugs – see MIXING IT [page 35]
Sometimes comes in powder form. GHB and GBL have much the same effect, • pace themselves – it can take a while for because GBL is turned into substances to kick in GHB by the body.
• take a break – if they're dancing, they should Highs: Can make you feel euphoric, sensual and
take regular breaks to cool down, drink water uninhibited. Effects can last up to a whole day.
and check how they're feeling Lows: You might feel sick, you can get muscle
• keep hydrated [especially if taking ecstasy and tremors and you might lose consciousness. It can speed while clubbing]. It's best to sip fruit juice be fatal if it's mixed with alcohol or other drugs. or isotonic sports drinks regularly [no more than Take too much and you'll start to feel sleepy and out of it. We don't know what the long-term • keep track of the amount they're using – effects of GHB are but you can become physically to avoid an overdose dependent on high doses with dangerous withdrawals in some people.
• stay with other people – especially if they start • take it easy the morning after – to help their body recover. That means simple, healthy stuff like water, toast and orange juice 0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE

Looks like: Pure heroin is white
The first time I took coke I was at a party and and is rarely seen on the streets. Street heroin is more up for a good time. I felt like I was IT after I'd likely to vary in colour from dark brown to yellowish done it. After a while, coke was ruling my social life. But the highs weren't as good as they used to be, off-white. It can be smoked, snorted or dissolved in so when someone suggested crack I decided to try water and injected or heated and inhaled [called it. Before long, that was what I'd choose if I could ‘chasing the dragon'].
get my hands on it. The only thing was, I always felt Highs: Heroin slows your body down and stops pain.
really ill afterwards. One night, a couple of guys I Most people get a big rush or buzz a few minutes was with were smoking heroin to get through the after taking it, which can make them feel good crash. They said I should take some. I‘d always seen about themselves.
myself as someone who took drugs to have a laugh. This made me realise I was in too deep. Getting into Lows: Heroin is very addictive and your body gets
heroin was never part of the plan. Haylee, 17
used to it very quickly so you have to take more and more just to feel ‘normal' and avoid severe withdrawals. You can get sleepy, dizzy or vomit; too much can put you in a coma or even kill you, especially if taken with alcohol. If you take it with other drugs – including alcohol – you are more likely to overdose.
See page 23 for info on INJECTING
Also see UNCONSCIOUS
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE Wish you were here?
Cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and speed are
Weather is hot – so
Friendly locals – and
there's more chance of you'll be treated like a It takes the drug straight into the bloodstream so it getting dehydrated if local if you get caught gives people a quicker, bigger high.
you're taking ecstasy or speed. Putting alcohol Injecting can massively increase the risk into the mix can make of an overdose, cause vein damage, things even worse.
ulcers and gangrene and spread HIV and Loads to do – but don't
viral hepatitis. Injecting a ‘speedball' – cocaine and heroin – can be deadly.
get off your head so you can't find your way back to your hotel or end up doing something New experiences –
different food, scenery, clubs and people. Is it Drugs can make a job – or school or college –
wise to experiment really hard work.
with something like They can mess up the way you act, how well you drugs when you're in can focus, what you remember and how you deal an unfamiliar place? will not let you with people. And a drug conviction might stop you And that's without the getting your dream job or lose the one you have.
risks you face if you FRANK fact].
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE There are two offences police can charge you with
if you are caught with drugs:
Looks like: Usually comes as a
• this isn't the first time grainy white powder which is you've been caught snorted or bought as a tablet.
If you are caught with drugs the police will Highs: Ketamine makes you
always take action, hallucinate (see and hear (which includes the
even if it's only a offences Possession With
things that aren't there). You small amount. What can experience the effects Intent to Supply, Offer to
happens depends on for up to 3 hours [depending Supply and Supply)
the circumstances. You on the dose] and you might have an ‘out of body' might get a warning Dealing is much more and have the drug serious and includes Lows: It's an anaesthetic and stops you feeling pain,
confiscated or, if it's being caught with drugs O
so you're in danger of injuring yourself badly without more serious, you will be that you were going to knowing you've done it. Sometimes people are arrested. The police will share with your mates.
physically incapable of moving. It can cause panic think it's more serious if: A drug dealer could end
attacks, depression and, in large doses, can make • you've been caught up in jail for a long time
mental health problems like schizophrenia worse. with class A drugs [see maximum penalties
Large doses can make it difficult to breathe and on page 26].
can cause heart failure. If you're sick, there's a risk you could choke on your vomit.
A criminal record could affect your See SAFETY [page 40]
chances of getting a job or going on holiday abroad. Remember – drug-driving is as illegal as drink-driving and carries the same penalties.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE The three Classes of illegal drugs
Illegal drugs are put into three categories: Class A, B and C. Class A are the most harmful and have the biggest penalties.
• there are many different ‘legal highs' but most come as pills or powders Class A – cocaine
Possession – 7 years in prison
• under current medicines legislation it's illegal to and crack cocaine, and an unlimited fine sell, supply or advertise ‘legal highs' for human Possession With Intent to
ecstasy, heroin, consumption. In an attempt to get round this Supply or Supply – Life in
sellers refer to them as research chemicals, plant prison and an unlimited fine food or bath crystals. Feels like:
Class B – cannabis, Possession – 5 years in prison
• mimics the effects of illegal drugs, such as cocaine M
and an unlimited fine Class A if prepared Possession With Intent to
Possible side effects and risks:
Supply or Supply – 14 years in
prison and an unlimited fine • there has been very little or no useful research into Q
the effects of many ‘legal highs' Class C – anabolic
Possession – 2 years in prison
steroids, ketamine and an unlimited fine • It is becoming increasingly clear that ‘legal highs' and tranquillisers are far from harmless and have similar health risks Possession With Intent to
Supply or Supply – 14 years in
prison and an unlimited fine • reduced inhibitions, drowsiness, excited or paranoid states, seizures, coma and even death are possible side effects • Using with alcohol or other drugs can increase 0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE It is likely that drugs sold as a ‘legal
high' may actually contain one or more
substances that are actually illegal to possess. Some websites selling "legal highs" are actually selling substances which contain illegal substances.
Looks like: Tiny squares of
paper called ‘tabs', usually Just because a substance is called a with pictures on them.
‘legal high' doesn't mean that it is either safe to use or legal to possess and supply.
Highs: The experience or "a trip" makes you
hallucinate [see or hear things that aren't there] and feeds off your imagination for up to 12 hours. Colours and sounds can be more intense, and objects, time and movement are often distorted.
Lows: If you panic on a trip it can be scary and
confusing. A bad trip can be your worst nightmare One E or a few spliffs come to life – you could harm yourself while having will make you look a bit I couldn't bear to a bad trip and you might also get flashbacks days out of it. But long-term look in the mirror or months after the event.
drug use can affect any more – I looked There's no evidence to suggest LSD does any really old, my skin was long-term physical damage, but if you have including your skin, hair pasty and spotty, my mental health problems, it can make them worse. and weight. And your eyes were black and I If you have a history of serious mental health personal hygiene might hadn't even bothered problems in your family, LSD may accentuate any end up taking a back to keep my clothes vulnerability to mental health problems.
clean. Stacey, 17
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE Got a mate taking drugs?
Is it doing your head in as well as theirs? You could Looks like: Raw or dried
try talking to them. Check out the tips below: mushrooms. There are two types; the ‘Liberty Cap' is 1. Decide what you want 5. Listen to them. If they
small and tan coloured. The go for help, offer to go to say before you begin.
‘fly agaric' looks like a red What do you think the and white toadstool. problem is and what do At the end of the day, Highs: Like LSD, but the trip
you want them to do? if you can't accept is often milder and shorter 2. Pick your moment.
their choices, you and typically lasts about 4 hours. People feel giggly Talk to them when need to decide whether M
and confident. Taking lots of mushrooms can distort you're calm and when you want to carry on colour, sound, objects, time and movement.
they are not high.
being mates.
Lows: Mushrooms make some people dizzy, sick or
3. Avoid asking ‘why?'
If they need help [or you have diarrhoea. They can make you hallucinate Instead, ask questions need help to deal with [which means you could see or hear things that that start with how, them], FRANK can help.
aren't really there] and this can be frightening. You when, what or where.
could get flashbacks where you re-live part of the trip and, as with LSD, bad trips can be terrifying. 4. Focus on them, not
If you have a mental health problem, magic the drugs. The drugs
mushrooms might complicate it. And there's always aren't doing anything to the risk of taking a poisonous mushroom by mistake you – your mate is. You need to explain how as they look quite similar.
their behaviour affects you. Are they unreliable? 0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE methadone
And not to be confused with
Methadone (not be confused with Mephedrone) is a manufactured drug that Looks like: A fine white, off-
has similar effects to heroin, white or yellowish powder although it doesn't give the which is snorted like cocaine same degree of high. It is or wrapped in paper and swallowed (‘bombed' is the used as a substitute for slang name for this). It can heroin in the treatment of also be smoked and in some rare cases people heroin addiction.
inject it. It also comes in capsules and pills. Highs: Users feel alert, confident, euphoric and
talkative, and some feel greater empathy with Lows: Mephedrone can cause anxiety and
paranoia and can overstimulate the nervous system which can cause fits, agitation and hallucinations. It can also overstimulate the heart and circulation. It has also been linked to a number of deaths in the UK.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE mixing it
All drugs carry risks. But mixing them can make
things a lot more dangerous.
aka Methylamphetamine –
heroin or tranquillisers
stimulants [like cocaine
Crystal Meth
and alcohol
and speed] + alcohol
Looks like: It's a type of
‘Downer' drugs like this These both put pressure amphetamine that comes as slow down your heart on the heart, increasing a tablet, powder or crystals.
rate and breathing. the risk of heart attack.
Highs: Gives a very intense
Overdose is much more stimulants + stimulants
likely when these drugs rush similar to crack cocaine Sometimes the effects are combined, as they but lasting between 4 and 12 hours. It suppresses of one stimulant don't the appetite and keeps you awake.
make the 'downer' kick in straight away so effect even stronger people take something Lows: Crystal meth is very addictive and people
and can have fatal else. This can give an often end up bingeing on it. It can cause mental health problems and affect your appearance. Your unpleasant effect and teeth and gums could rot away [known as ‘meth heroin + cocaine
can put a serious strain mouth'] and you could get nausea, vomiting and Known as a ‘speedball', on the heart.
diarrhoea. Some people get skin ulcers through this can be deadly. ecstasy + cannabis
picking at bugs they imagine are crawling under cocaine + alcohol
Sometimes people their skin. While on the drug, users often indulge in Produces a highly toxic take cannabis to take risky sexual behaviour.
substance in the body the edge off an ecstasy called cocaethylene trip. But instead of which affects your calming you down, it heart and stays in your could make you anxious system longer than and paranoid.
cocaine alone.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE There's no such thing With some drugs like We'd been hanging out, having a few drinks as a safe amount to cocaine and heroin, and then went back to my friend Paul's take. And you don't your tolerance can house. His brother and a couple of other mates had know how you might build up very quickly, react differently to other so you need more and been clubbing and had all taken some Es. I don't people. But an overdose more to get the same know what else they'd had but they were all off their heads. His brother rolled a spliff and it started is when you take so high. If you then take a doing the rounds. Paul took a puff and passed it to much your body can't break your tolerance me. I'd never done cannabis before so I tried it – I cope. If this happens
goes down. It's easy to didn't want my mates to think I couldn't you'll need urgent
take too much.
handle it. Nick, 16
When someone's on ecstasy, LSD, mushrooms or speed there's a risk they might panic. So how do you deal with it? • calm them down and be reassuring • steer them clear of crowds, noisy music and • tell them to take long slow breaths • if someone's high [especially on volatile substances], don't scare them – it could kill them 0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE Looks like: Poppers come in
Don't keep them bottled up. FRANK can give small bottles filled with liquid you friendly, confidential help and advice on chemicals called alkyl nitrites. 0800 77 66 00 or at talktofrank.com or by email
They are sold in sex shops, [email protected]. FRANK is available 24 hours
clubs and gay bars.
Highs: You get a head rush
that lasts a couple of minutes. Sniffing poppers during sex can make sexual organs feel bigger and make orgasms feel like they last longer.
The effects don't last long and can leave recovery position while people feeling sick, faint and weak. They can give you're waiting for help to you a severe headache, or a rash around your nose arrive. Always call 999 straight
and mouth. They can burn your skin if you spill them away if you think someone is not or kill you if you swallow them. Taking poppers is a breathing properly or is unconscious.
bad idea for anyone with chest or heart problems, or if you are anaemic or have glaucoma [an eye disorder]. Some men say they have trouble getting an erection after sniffing poppers. Poppers are not addictive but they are toxic. Using Viagra and No drug is completely safe. There are lots of
poppers together can affect your heart.
• HARM – see page 19
• SAFETY – see page 40
• LOWS – these are different for each drug. See their Y
individual pages for more info.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE You are at risk when you are on drugs:
Some drugs make you less choosy
• being reckless
Volatile substances [which include gases, glues and • being attacked –
aerosols], GHB and alcohol make you less inhibited, drugs can make you make sure your drinks so you might pull someone you wouldn't usually feel invincible, putting aren't tampered with look twice at.
yourself or others at risk so you're not at risk of drug-assisted sexual Some drugs let you down
• making bad decisions
Alcohol, tranquillisers and heroin can turn a big night of passion into a big night of nothing. – some drugs can • getting in with the
Regular heroin users can lose their sex drive cloud your judgement wrong crowd – you
altogether. You could end up taking more risks might end up getting and do things you wouldn't normally do, like something you regret.
involved in crime.
forgetting to use a condom.
Some drugs can be deceptive
Lots of people think cocaine, speed and ecstasy are good for sex. They might make you feel horny, but you might not be able to follow through.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE Skunk is a very strong form [but Class A if prepared
of cannabis that is usually produced using special Looks like: Usually sold in wraps like cocaine. The
growing techniques. On powder is off-white or pink and sometimes looks like average it is 2–4 times stuff that gets you high] small crystals. Base speed is pinky-grey and feels like stronger than hash. It was than ordinary cannabis. putty. Speed is dabbed on the gums or sniffed in called "skunk" because So be aware: skunk can lines. It can also be rolled up in cigarette paper and some forms have a really mess you up.
swallowed, mixed in drinks or injected.
powerful smell.
Highs: Speed makes you feel wide awake, excited,
If you inhale just as much If you smoke cannabis chatty and full of energy and stops you feeling as you would for hash regularly, you have hungry. It can cause hallucinations if you sniff a lot in O
or traditional herbal an increased risk of a short space of time.
cannabis it can have developing serious a much stronger effect. mental health problems, Lows: Speed puts a strain on your heart and taking it Q
It has become more including schizophrenia. with anti-depressants or alcohol can be fatal. It can common in recent years Smoking skunk might make you anxious, low, irritable or aggressive and than the less potent increase these risks even too much sniffing of it can damage your nose. If you forms of cannabis. more. You just don't use it a lot, you could get more colds, flu and sore throats. Injecting carries the usual risks associated You need to watch out know how it will affect with needle use. The high is followed by a long, slow for skunk, as it contains your mental health in the future.
comedown which makes you feel irritable and can much more THC [the last for one or two days.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE Looks like: A brown, flaky
mixture of dried and rubbed leaves of the tobacco plant, which is smoked or sometimes Looks like: Tranquillisers
chewed. Sometimes cannabis are prescribed by is added to make a ‘spliff' or joint.
doctors to treat anxiety and insomnia. They Lows: Some cause
Regular smokers say it helps them relax and can come as tablets, shortterm memory loss. feel less hungry.
capsules, injections and If you take tranquillisers Lows: Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. It speeds
suppositories [tablets with other ‘downer' up the heart rate and increases your blood you put up your bum].
drugs like alcohol you pressure. Smokers get hooked very quickly and it Highs: Tranquillisers calm might accidentally
can take years and a huge effort to kick the habit. people down. Some overdose. Injecting (For friendly advice on giving up, call the NHS
people have them on crushed tablets or smokefree line on 0800 022 4332 or log on at
prescription. They make melted-down capsules you feel more relaxed can block veins and may kill you. You can and less anxious but big Long-term addiction can lead to cancer become dependent doses can make you and serious lung and heart problems. sleepy and forgetful. quite quickly – some Smoking has been linked to 2,000 They're used as chill-out people get addicted amputations and 106,000 premature drugs on the club scene. after using them for deaths a year in the UK. Smoking when just four weeks – and pregnant can put your baby at risk.
withdrawal can cause pounding headaches, sickness and confusion.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE If someone's gone overboard with alcohol, volatile substances, heroin or poppers, there's a We were celebrating Becky's birthday risk they might lose consciousness.
and ended up at a club. We'd all been so into the music and dancing that, at first, we Call 999 immediately and place them in the
didn't notice that Danni was missing. We found her slumped on a sofa – completely out of it and not breathing properly. We got someone from the club to help. While we were waiting for the ambulance, they gave her mouth-to-mouth and put her on her side so she wouldn't choke if she was sick. She's OK now but we were so lucky we found
someone who knew what to do. Vicky, 18
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE X – ‘the unknown'
If you or your mates take drugs regularly or over a There's always an element of the unknown with drugs.
long period, look out for signs that suggest the drug What's in it:
can't see. Inhaling use is becoming a problem.
hot glass is not a • with cocaine you might get a wrap • losing interest in things you used to enjoy padded out with sugar How you react to it:
• things not going so well at home • lots of drugs affect • you won't know for the heart and body • not being able to concentrate sure what an E's got temperature. The way • skipping school, college or work in it. It's often mixed that your body ‘takes • not caring how you look with caffeine, speed or the strain' will affect how you are feeling • feeling depressed • most heroin bought What happens that night: O
• feeling jittery on the street is impure. • you may do something • becoming a drug bore Some people have that you'll regret in the overdosed on pure • losing touch with your true friends heroin because their body is only used to an • if you're on LSD and • only going out somewhere if there's a chance you're not in a good you will score drugs mood or something • batches of skunk strange happens, the trip could turn that contain very tiny glass beads which you 0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE your life, your future
FRANK ADVICE
Drugs might make you high. But they can also It's up to you to set your own limits when it comes make you tired…and boring…and help you to drinking and drugs.
achieve a big fat zero.
Take it easy and make sure you know what the risks are. And don't be persuaded by other people to do things you're not sure about.
But remember, most people don't do drugs.
It's your life – shouldn't you be in control? 0800 77 66 00 TALKTOFRANK.COM
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE 0800 77 66 00
FRANK is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls are free from landlines and some mobiles.
You can talk to FRANK confidentially: by textphone (for the hard of hearing) by emailing [email protected] FRANK can also tell you what services are available in your area.
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FRIENDLY, CONFIDENTIAL DRUGS ADVICE

Source: http://www.withycombelodgesurgery.co.uk/website/L83637/files/truth-about-drugs.pdf