Youth Support Guide to Drugs
Youth Support Guide to Drugs

Welcome !

Hello!

Welcome to Youth Support House drug information booklet.

D O N ’ T    P A N I C !

This is not another boring pamphlet telling you don’t do drugs. It is designed to give you a clear understanding of a variety of illegal and legal drugs, their effects both short and long term and their potential dangers!

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This booklet has been written by residents and patients at Youth Support House - the staff advised and helped - but they didn’t write it!

Reasons why people take drugs!

There are many reasons why people take drugs. A number of factors have to be taken into consideration for each individual drug user.

Experiment - Often caused by media and friends.

Publicity and hype on the effects of drugs. Makes people interested as to what they do.

Pressure -  To be like friends, to be part of the gang or

group, to avoid being the odd one out.

Numb feelings - To block out the feelings such as

depression, boredom, loneliness, hurt, pain,

anxiety, fear.

Escapism - to forget the reality of life, because life is too

horrible to face sober or straight. Drugs are used as a coping strategy  - to cope for example  with unemployment, death, relationship break down, violence in the home.

Cannabis

Cannabis is one of the world’s most common leisure drugs. It is estimated that at least one in twenty people in the UK has used cannabis at some stage. It comes from a plant Cannabis Sativa, a relative of the hop plant. The main active principle is tetrahydrocannabinol. It usually costs about £15 per eigth of an ounce.

Other names used - Draw, Puff Weed Spliff, Hash, Ganja, grass, pot, skunk, black, herb.

Effects - Generally start a few minutes after smoking and may last up to one hour (with larger intake lasts much longer). Cannabis is used to produce relaxation, sociability, talkativeness.

Complications - Can cause tiredness, reddening of the eyes, dry mouth. An increase in your pulse rate and a drop in blood pressure.

Legal status - Cannabis is a class B drug, this means it’s illegal to cultivate, produce, supply or possess. The maximum penalty for possession is five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Drug Testing - detectable in urine for 2-7 days after casual use and up to 30 days after heavy use.

Magic Mushrooms

Magic mushrooms grow in many parts of the country. They contain a drug that has hallucinogenic effects. Mushrooms can be cooked and brewed into tea, wine etc.

Effects - The effects of magic mushrooms is dependant on their strength and the context in which they are used such as where you are , who you are with.  In a safe secure environment they are less unpleasant than if you are alone or somewhere unfamiliar. The number of liberty caps taken is usually between 10-30 mushrooms as one dosage. In large amounts the effects are often compared with LSD, with perceptions being powerfully changed.

Complications - Sense of time may alter and familiar objects and surroundings may appear strange and or wonderful or may make you feel strange or frightened. These effects last for 6 to 12 hours.

Legal status -  Magic mushrooms are not illegal to possess as they are available in the wild. However it is illegal to be found using them for intoxication. They are a class B drug.

Drug testing - can be shown for 2-3 days in urine.

Hallucinogens

Swallowed as a liquid or on blotting paper. Most commonly minute quantities are impregnated on to small squares and then dissolved on the tongue. The squares often have pictures on them - eg cartoon characters. Last for 8-12 hours. Other names used - LSD, Acid.

Effects - Are noticeably a severe change in mood , behaviour and perception - eg hallucinations, delusions, nausea, blurred vision.

Complications - If you are in a bad mood, in unfamiliar surroundings you may become paranoid and panicky. This can be dangerous for people with mental health problems and can trigger a psychotic response - eg like schizophrenia. It can also make you feel confused and disorientated. When the drug wears off, you can feel anxious and depressed. You can also experience the trip again for a long time afterwards - this is called flashback.

Legal status - LSD is a class A drug. This means possession, manufacture, import is a criminal offence. The maximum prison sentence is 7 years and an unlimited fine.

Drug testing - Can show up in urine for 2-3 days.

Amphetamines.

Amphetamine is an appetite suppressant. It is the most common illegal stimulant. Other names used - Speed, sulph, whizz.

Effects - Mainly found as a white powder, sometimes in pill form., usually sniffed can also be injected. Amphetamines stimulate the nervous system, banish tiredness and produce feelings of alertness and confidence. As the body processes speed you can feel like your heart is racing and you are unable to sit down, excessive talkativeness is common.

Complications- Can give you feelings of having boundless energy. The need to sleep is therefore reduced. Users quickly establish a tolerance - that means the body gets used to the dose and needs far more to get the same effect. You can experience disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, acute anxiety, paranoia, weight loss.

Legal status - Amphetamine is a class B drug, this means unauthorised supply, possession, manufacture and import is criminal. Maximum sentence is 5 months in a magistrates court, in crown court 5 years.

Drug testing - 2-4 days in urine.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy is a hallucinogenic amphetamine chemically related to speed. Swallowed as a pill or capsule, contrary to popular belief it is not a new drug, it was first produced in Germany in 1914 as an appetite suppressant - other names MDMA, ‘E’, ADAM, XTC.

Effects - With ecstasy the effects start after about 30 minutes. These continue for several hours. Users experience a ‘mental calm’ and heightened perceptions of colour and sound. Hallucinations can be experienced. Users report feelings of love and warmth for those around. Appetite is usually decreased and after taking ecstasy users are often unable to sleep for several hours afterwards.

Complications - - It can result in ‘heat-stroke’, exhaustion and dehydration. After the effects of ecstasy wear off users often feel lethargic, depressed and drained.

Legal status - ecstasy is a class A drug. It is an offence to produce, supply, import and possess. The maximum sentence for possession being 7 years imprisonment - for posession with intent to supply - life.

Drug testing - 2-4 days in urine.

Cocaine and Crack

Cocaine is a stimulant, normally comes in the form of a white powder. It can be sniffed, smoked or injected. Crack is a crystallised form of cocaine, it comes in the form of small rocks, crystals. Crack is normally smoked in a pipe. Cocaine powder is quite expensive and can cost up to £100 per gram. A crack crystal can cost up to £20 each.

Other names used - Coke, snow, charlie, freebase, rocks.

Effects - Cocaine elevates the mood , increases alertness and diminishes fatigue, sleep , suppresses appetite and can increase ability to perform physical tasks. Crack effects are similar but almost immediate and more intense than sniffing cocaine and more short lived. Cocaine effects last 20 - 30 minutes crack 10-20 minutes.

Complications - The short lived high can be followed by feelings of depression and lethargy. Also paranoia, anxiety and psychotic behaviour. Tolerance builds rapidly. Large doses may cause convulsions and death due to heart failure and heart attack.

Legal status - Cocaine and Crack are class A drugs. They are illegal to posses and supply. Maximum sentence is 7 years and an unlimited fine.

Drug testing - urine 12 hours to 3 days after use.

Heroin

Heroin is a powerful opiate which is derived from the opium poppy. It is used by the medical profession as a pain killer. It comes in the form of a powder which can be off white to golden brown. It can br bought in small bags or wraps and can cost £10-£20. It can be injected, sniffed or smoked (chasing the dragon). Other names - Smack, skag, H, Henry, Junk

Effects - Users report feelings of warmth concentration and happiness. Heroin reduces sensitivity and emotional reaction to pain, discomfort and anxiety. When injected the user will experience an intensely pleasurable rush, a euphoric type of feeling. After injecting or smoking the effects are almost immediate.

Complications - larger amounts are needed to achieve the same feelings this can be followed by physical and psychological addiction. You can experience constipation, excess sweating, a loss of appetite and sometimes a feeling of itches under the skin. The risk of HIV is increased in those sharing injecting equipment. Fixing can quickly lead to collapse of veins and the longer you take it the harder the come down and the harder it is to stop.

Legal status - Heroin is a class A drug, it is an offence to produce, import, supply and possess. Maximum sentence for possession in a crown court is 7 years and in magistrates court 6 months.  Possession with intent to supply in a crown court life. In a magistrates court 6 months.

Drug testing - in urine 1-2 days.

Barbiturates

Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants. It is used medically for severe insomnia, anti convulsant in epilepsy and occasionally anaesthesia. Often sold as capsules, pills and sometimes powder. Can swallowed or injected.

Other names used :- downers, barbs, sleeping pills.

Effects:- are similar to alcohol, low doses produce relaxation. Larger doses impair co-ordination, increase drowsiness, slurred speech and confusion may occur.

Complications:- physical and psychological dependence. Overdose can occur easily especially if mixed with alcohol. Aggressive behaviour. Can also damage tissue if injected outside the vein. Injuries due to intoxication, withdrawal fits. Main danger overdose and death.

Legal status - Barbiturates are class B drugs. This makes it illegal to possess or supply maximum magistrates sentence is 12 month prison. Crown court sentence is a maximum of 14 years.

Drug testing - 1-2 days in urine.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are sedatives and include Valium , Temazepam, Ativan, Librium and are used medicinally to treat periods of anxiety and insomnia. They usually come in tablet or capsule form although liquid is available but less common.

Effects - When taken in small doses, benzodiazepines have an anxiety reducing effect and may help the user to feel more relaxed. Many of the effects can be likened to those of alcohol. When taken in larger doses they may produce intoxication and deep sleep, however they lose their effects very quickly.

Complications - Continual use can lead to both physical and psychological addiction and withdrawal symptoms may be experienced on suddenly stopping. In severe cases, convulsions, hallucinations tremors and disorientation may be experienced. Injecting can cause muscle disintegration and deep vein thrombosis, with some users losing their limbs.

Legal status - Benzodiazepines are controlled drugs and legal to possess if you are medically prescribed them. Otherwise they are a class C drug. Illegal supply carries a 3 month maximum sentence in the magistrates court and 2 years in Crown court.

Drug testing - 1-2 days in urine - longer if injected.

Solvents

Solvents are substances such as Butane gas, aerosol sprays, solvent based glues, tippex thinners and petrol solvent abuse means breathing in the vapours given off by substances such as those listed above.

Effects - Happening quickly as the substance enters the bloodstream via the lungs. The effects are similar to alcohol an initial feeling of well being and energy. Then dizziness, numbness and dissociation and sometimes hallucinations and delusions can occur. When the solvent has worn off, you usually forget what has happened and may feel hung over.

Complications - solvents sprayed directly into the mouth can cause swelling in the throat area and can cause suffocation. A period of depression can often follow the more pleasant effects of inhalation. Headaches and a sore throat can occur more often with regular use.

Legal status - It is an offence to supply anyone under the age of 18 when the supplier has reason to believe it will be used to achieve intoxication.

Rehabilitation

Going to a drug agency - Sometimes using drugs can become a problem. You may feel you have a serious problem which knowing everything there is to know about drugs will solve. Worrying about what sort of treatment you will get, having to talk to complete strangers about your drug use and fears is very hard. These worries are perfectly understandable. Going to a drug agency won’t solve all your problems. You’ve got to want to help yourself and be ready to use the support they offer to your own advantage. A lot depends on what drugs you are using and how long you have been using them - and on how much you want to give up or control your drug habit.

Advice and counselling services - Geared to be user-friendly and less medically orientated. Good for information or if you need to talk about some of your problems. They can also help you get drug treatment and refer you to other sources of help.

Community Drug teams - quite often they run a needle and syringe exchange scheme. More likely to have social workers, community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) and doctors available in addition to counsellors. A lot prescribe drugs and they don’t have access to GPs. They can also refer to other types of treatment if necessary.

Drug dependency clinics - these are generally hospital based services where you can get medical treatment. The main things they offer are going in for a detox and care and support when you come out.

Residential rehabs - A short sharp detox plus therapy of at least one type is always on the menu. Also training in a range of lifeskills and education.

Other possibilities - Needle and syringe exchange schemes - operate in a few chemists also.

Outreach - In some areas there are outreach workers who make it their business to take a service to users who don’t usually come to them. Often women working the street.

Detoxing

Detoxing is the physical and psychological process of the drugs you have been taking clearing out of your system.

Your body adjusting to being drug free.

Your mind and feelings adjusting to being drug free.

The best time to detox is when things are as good as they are likely to get in terms of support , accommodation and your state of mind. Planning will usually increase your chances of success and the more you want to do it for yourself, the more you are likely to succeed. Understanding why you take drugs is important.

The more reasons you can find that are for you rather than to please other people, the more likely you are to succeed.

Further information can be obtained from :-

National drugs help line - 0800 77 66 00

free confidential 24 hours.

Youth Support

13 Crescent Road

London BR3 2NF