A History of Drugs

Natures Bounty The Witches Brew

The use of what we now call drugs began Several species of ‘Magic mushroom’ grow
when humans discovered that some plants in Britain and were probably used by our
have ‘magical’ properties. ancestors. Some tribal societies still use
The word ‘drug’ has been used for about hallucinogenic plants, but this practice died
500 years. It probably originates from the Old out in Europe centuries ago. The ‘folk healers’
Dutch word droog (meaning ‘dry’), as in the who used magic potions were branded
past drugs were simply these ‘magical’ plants witches by the Christian Church and burned
that had been preserved by drying. at the stake. The King James Bible (1611) had
Plants had evolved that contained toxins the Greek word “pharmakeia” translated into
(poisons) for protection from predators. For English as “witchcraft” instead of the word’s
example the ‘Pituri’ shrub contains nicotine, as main meaning ‘the use of drugs’.
it wards off insects. The Australian Aboriginal The first evidence of British drug use is
people found a practical use for this toxin, the arrival of alcohol with the ‘Beaker Folk’
chewing pituri to help them endure desert some 5,000 years ago. Cannabis and opium
travel without the need for food or rest. came with the Romans – who used them as
The most important of these magical medicines and ‘recreational drugs’. However,
plants were those that caused ‘visions’ or it is unlikely native Britons used these drugs
hallucinations. The ritual use of hallucinogenic until the 19th century.
substances – plants, bark, insects, bugs, dried Unlike other magic potions, the Church
frogs, live toads, the organs of a fish (the adopted alcohol, using it for religious
‘Dream Fish’) and most famously, mushrooms ceremony and for centuries had a monopoly
A simple definition of a drug is
– occurred all over the ancient world. on making and selling booze. Drinking alcohol
“any substance which when
taken, affects the functioning of
was respectable, however, drinking too much
the mind and the body”. (drunkenness) was seen as a sin.

2.
Opium and the people shop Harrods was selling cocaine-taking kits
From the 19th century a mixture of alcohol and heroin gel. However, it wasn’t until the
and opium called ‘laudanum’ became popular. government became worried that soldiers
By the 1850s up to 26,000 drug shops returning from the War were getting too high
(‘druggists’) sold drugs like opium in Britain – to fight, that laws were introduced. From 1916
anyone could sell, buy or use any drug they to 1928 new laws banned cocaine, opium,
wanted to. Babies were even given opium to morphine, heroin and cannabis. The drug
help them sleep. laws were made into one act in 1971 – The
Technological developments led to more Misuse of Drugs Act.
powerful drugs. Coca was made into cocaine
(1860). Opium was made into morphine An all time high
(1804), then morphine made into heroin (1874). Despite (some say because of) these laws,
Heroin was at first advertised as a ‘cure’ for the number of people using natural drugs
morphine addiction. Indeed the first British like cannabis and new synthetic ones like
heroin ‘addicts’ were middle class doctors amphetamines, ecstasy and LSD rose
who ‘got high from their own supply’. From dramatically, peaking at an all time high
1868 a series of laws were introduced that around the year 2000. Most people don’t take
restricted sales of drugs to licensed ‘chemist illegal drugs, most who do are not regular
shops’. users. However, despite facing stigma,
punishment and the risk of harm or death –
Prohibition more than 12 million British people have used
At the start of the 20th century Britain an illegal drug, whilst nearly all of us have
came under pressure to sign international drunk alcohol. The drugs we have used have
treaties banning drugs, including alcohol (as changed over time, but our desire for magical
happened in the USA). At that time even posh substances remains as strong as it ever was.

3.
 How Drugs Work
The Incredible Journey
To affect our mind drugs have to get into
our brain. This incredible journey starts when
a drug gets into the body by one of four
methods: Swallowing: Smoking or inhaling;
Sniffing or absorbing; Injecting.
Each method takes a different route
through the body and into the blood stream
before arriving at the heart and then on up to
the brain.
The longest, slowest route is when drugs
are swallowed, whilst smoking is one of the
fastest ways of delivering a drug to your
brain – for instance, the effect of smoking a
cigarette or crack cocaine can be felt almost Methods of use
instantly. Swallowed drugs
take a while to
Injecting drugs into a vein (called an work – so wait at
intravenous or IV injection) is by far the most least half an hour
dangerous method of use. When drugs are before taking any
more.
injected, nearly the full dose goes straight to
the heart and up to the brain in a matter of
seconds. This produces an intense burst of
effects called a ‘rush’, but is far more likely to
Sniffing. Smoking. Injecting.
lead to an accidental overdose. Chop powders as Don’t hold smoke Don’t start
Injecting also carries the risk of serious fine as possible in, you won’t injecting.
before sniffing. get a better hit.
damage to your veins and body and if If you do, get
Don’t share straws/ Water pipes some advice
injection equipment is shared the risk of bank notes – this cool the smoke, and clean
catching blood bourne viruses like HIV and can spread viruses but smoking equipment
such as hepatitis. anything will from your
Hepatitis C.
Rinse your nose eventually cause local Needle arse
with water after harm. exchange.
Drugs in the Brain sniffing.

However a drug gets into your body, it travels

in the bloodstream to the heart, then passes
through a barrier (called the blood brain
barrier) into the brain.
Once inside the brain a drug temporarily Which drugs affect which neurotransmitters?
attaches itself to specific areas, called
receptor sites. Each drug attaches itself to
its own receptor sites – for instance cannabis
attaches itself to cannabinoid receptors,
opiates to opiate receptors etc.
The temporary attachment of a drug to
its receptor site has an effect on the brains
natural chemicals. These chemicals are called
neurotransmitters. There are over 80 different
types of neurotransmitter. Each type (in
combination with each other) has a different
effect on your mood, feelings, thought
process etc.
The brain constantly adjusts this mix of
neurotransmitters in response to events in our
lives and its in built desire for survival – for
instance flooding the brain with chemicals
that make us fall in love to encourage us to
reproduce.
The effects you feel from a drug occur
because the drug has artificially altered this
mix of neurotransmitters in your brain.

4.
 Effects on the Mind
Up, Down and Sideways
Effects on The Body Drugs effect chemicals in our brain which
Although drugs are mainly taken for their effects on makes us feel many different things. We can
the mind, physical effects make up a large part of the feel good when our life is bad or not feel pain
experience. For instance:
when we are severely hurt. Drugs can take us
The pupils (black bits) of your eyes can shrink up, down or even sideways.
(e.g. heroin) or get bigger (e.g. cocaine, LSD)

Muscles of the face and body can tense up (e.g.

Stimulant drugs (like cocaine or ecstasy)
ecstasy) or go more relaxed (e.g. diazepam) speed up the brain, producing feelings of
energy, along with clearer thinking, improved
Breathing and heart-rate may be slowed down concentration and added confidence.
(e.g. heroin) or increased (e.g. cocaine)
Drugs can take us down – Depressant
Your reflexes can become faster (e.g. amphetamine)
drugs (like heroin or alcohol) slow down the
or much slower (e.g. alcohol) workings of the brain, producing feelings of
relaxation or sedation (sleepiness).
Drugs can take us sideways – Psychedelic
drugs (like LSD or ketamine) can take us
into another reality and cause delusions and
elbow
hallucinations.

Effects on digestion include vomiting (e.g. alcohol) and

Drugs can make us feel happy (called
constipation (e.g. heroin).
Eat something (at least an hour) before you start using,
euphoria), or even unhappy (called dysphoria):
avoid taking other drugs after you’ve drunk a lot of alcohol makes us feel more sociably (even
alcohol. if we sometimes act less sociable); ecstasy
affects our emotions and increases loving
Pregnancy: A large number of unplanned pregnancies
and friendly feelings; cocaine speeds up our
are a result of using drink or drugs. Alcohol, cigarettes,
nearly all other drugs can be harmful to take if you are
thinking and boosts our confidence, while
pregnant. cannabis affects our memory.
Drugs can also affect our motivation, from
If male, your erection can be enhanced (e.g. Viagra) or our desire for food or sex to our desire – or
adversely affected (e.g. alcohol). lack of it – to get up for school or work in the
morning.

Paranoia
The main positive effect produced by most
Best & worst effects drugs is euphoria (intense happiness), while
the most common negative effect that users
Drug Best effect Worst effect of drugs mention is paranoia.
Both stimulant drugs and cannabis
Cannabis Euphoria Paranoia
Relaxation Doziness can cause us to have false beliefs (called
Sociability Nausea delusions) – the most common is called
paranoia (intense fear/anxiety and often
Ecstasy Euphoria Paranoia
the delusion that people are out to get you).
Energy Come-down
Loving/friendly Blurred vision Nobody seems sure how or why paranoia
occurs, but like hallucinations it can be
Amphetamine Euphoria Paranoia caused by drugs or can also occur ‘naturally’.
Energy Come-down
Confidence Insomnia
If you are experiencing paranoia while using
LSD (acid) Euphoria Paranoia a drug, go somewhere quite, where you feel
Hallucinations Bad trip safe.
Raised awareness Anxiety/panic If you or a friend is experiencing paranoia
after the effect of the drug has worn off, you
The chart shows that the main positive effect produced by
may need to see a doctor or drug service.
most drugs is euphoria (intense happiness), while the most
common negative effect is paranoia (intense fear/anxiety) At the very least lay off the drugs until the
paranoia has gone.

5.
 Risks & Harms

Drug, Set and Setting The Most Dangerous Drug? The Most
Both the effects and the risks involved in There is no such thing as a safe drug, as using Dangerous Drug?
using drugs depend on what is known as any drug involves some risk, but using some
Most harmful drug at the top
‘Drug, Set and Setting’. drugs is far riskier than using others. least harmful at the bottom.
Death is obviously the most serious harm.
The Drug – which drug; its strength (purity); Heroin
Some drugs such as tobacco may kill lots of
how much you take (the dose) and the Crack
people (over 100,000 a year in the UK), but
method of use (smoking, injecting etc). Cocaine
unless you accidentally start a fire, you won’t
Barbiturates
The Set – you: your weight and sex (drugs die from smoking one cigarette, It takes many
Methadone
have a more powerful effect on smaller years of dedicated fag smoking to kill you. On
the other hand solvents (glues, gases etc) kill Alcohol
people); your personality, your genes; your
previous drug experience (what you expect far fewer people (about 50 a year), but can Ketamine
to happen) and the mood you’re in. kill the first time you use and deaths tend to Benzodiazepine
involve very young people. Amphetamine
The Setting – where you are and who you Tobacco
Alcohol kills about 9,000 people a year in
are with when you take a drug. Buprenorphine
the UK, while Heroin kills just under 2,000.
For instance: using with friends in a safe However, alcohol is used by far more people. Solvents
private place, is less likely to lead to paranoia Heroin (and other opiates) account for 2 in 3 Cannabis
than taking it in a public place with strangers. of the 2,000 to 3,000 from illegal drugs. LSD
Equally, taking drugs and then sitting in an Steroids
armchair is safer (for everybody) than taking The chart opposite compares the harm from drugs GHB
drugs then driving a car. based on their potential to cause physical harm, and the Ecstasy
likelyhood of dependence (addiction). Based on Prof. David
Nutt’s scale of the harmfulness of 20 popular drugs.
Poppers
Khat

6.
Mixing drugs Mental illness Types of Mental Illness
The two main types of mental
Taking more than one drug at a time Some types of mental illness are quite illness are ‘depression’ and
increases your risk of coming to harm. common (whether you use drugs or not) such ‘psychosis’ (also called
If you use cocaine and alcohol together as anxiety (extreme worry and nervousness) psychotic symptoms or
they are turned into a more toxic drug (coca schizophrenia type illness).
and depression. However, a variety of drugs
Depression is more than
ethylene) by your liver, in fact using alcohol are associated with mental illness. Most feeling a bit down, it is an illness
with just about any other drug is more likely to stimulant drugs and cannabis are associated characterized by an unshakable
lead to problems. with psychosis (also called psychotic sadness.
The most dangerous drugs to mix together symptoms or schizophrenia type illness) – and The symptoms of a
are depressant drugs (heroin, sleeping pills, psychosis are paranoia,
alcohol and other drugs with depression.
bizarre thoughts or beliefs and
alcohol etc). Mixing depressant drugs is a
hallucinations (particularly
common cause of overdose and drug related Although drug-related mental problems are hearing voices in your head).
death. fairly rare, and often a result of triggering Nobody is absolutely sure
or worsening a pre-existing illness, it is a what causes psychosis, but it
Reducing Risk complex relationship, for instance, people with tends to run in families (you
The only way to avoid risk is to avoid taking depression often try to cope by using alcohol,
inherit it in your genes) and it
can be triggered by the events
drugs. However, you can reduce the chances while people with alcohol problems often and experiences in your life.
of drug related harm or becoming addicted by become depressed. cannabis contains one
following some of the advice in this book. chemical (THC) that is likely to make psychotic
As a simple rule of thumb: don’t take too symptoms worse and another (CBD) that may
much in one go; don’t use every day; never even improve them.
inject; never take heroin or use rock cocaine.

Alcohol and drugs should be avoided by anybody who is or suspects they are pregnant

7.
 Dependence (Addiction)

Craving
When you do something you find pleasurable
(take a drug, bet on the horses etc), the
feeling comes from a boost of dopamine and
other neurotransmitters in your brain. The
intense desire to repeat this experience is
known as ‘craving’.

Tolerance
The pleasurable effect you get when first
using a drug, decreases the more of that drug
you use. If you use a drug regularly you build
up what is know as a tolerance. This means
that you need an increasing higher dose to
get the desired effect. Tolerance is a warning
sign that you may be becoming dependent.
With a drug like heroin, an increased
tolerance can mean you are using a dose
that would have killed you when you first Alcohol &
Cigarettes
started. If you stop using heroin (e.g. when
in treatment or prison) your tolerance drops
back down again. If you then go back to
using at the same dose, you may overdose
and die. Alcohol & Cigarettes are the most
Psychological Dependence
popular drugs and the drugs that
Regular use can mean you start to rely on cause the most health problems.
a drug in social or other situations – your
drug use becomes a ‘habit’, which is known Alcohol is used by more than 9 in 10 of us.
as psychological dependence. Any drug can It kills around 9,000 of us a year. Alcohol is
cause psychological dependency. often involved in deaths where more than one
drug is used – this is because alcohol is by
Physical Dependence far the most common drug that is taken with
Regular use of some drugs can cause other drugs.
‘physically dependence’. This means that The first drug used by nearly all drug users
your brain has effectively ‘re-wired’ itself to are cigarettes (nicotine). Young cigarette
expect a dose of a drug. If you stop using, smokers are up to 12 times more likely to go
you become physically ill (called a withdrawal). on to use illegal drugs than those who don’t
Not all drugs cause physical dependence. smoke – and drug users are far more likely to
Most cigarette smokers and heroin users smoke than those who don’t use drugs.
get unpleasant symptoms when they stop, The number of cigarette smokers has
while with GHB and some heavy alcohol use, halved over the last 30 years, and yet their
sudden withdrawal can be life threatening. are still 10 million adult smokers in Britain, of
whom 100,000 a year die as a result of their
Addiction habit. Despite the harm caused by booze and
Not everyone who uses drugs becomes fags, they are not treated the same as far less
addicted to them, in fact most users wouldn’t harmful drugs and remain legal.
describe themselves that way. Nearly every Both alcohol and Tobacco (nicotine) are
cigarette smoker becomes addicted, but it is drugs that can cause physical dependence
fairly easy to live a ‘normal’ life as a cigarette (addiction).
addict. Most alcohol users don’t become
addicted. Of those that do, some manage to Cigarettes and alcohol do not feature
prominently in this book, not because
live ‘normal’ lives, whereas for others alcohol
they are less important than illegal drugs
takes over there whole life, becoming more – quite simply, because there is limited
important than health, friends, family, self- room and both these drugs have Big
respect etc. This is what we generally mean Blue Books of their own.
when we use the word ‘addiction’.

8.
 Getting Caught
Drug testing Getting caught at school
Drug testing has become big business. You Getting caught with drugs in school can get
can be tested in schools, police stations, you in more hassle than being caught by the
prisons, while driving and a number of jobs police. Schools are not just bothered about
where safety is an issue (and others where illegal drugs either – getting caught using
it’s not). Testing positive may get you the cigarettes, alcohol, or solvents in school can
sack, but it is not an offence to have an illegal all land you in trouble.
drug in your bloodstream unless you are in Supply is treated more seriously than
prison – where you can get extra days on your possession – so get caught selling drugs and
sentence if you test positive. it will almost always lead to school exclusion,
*You can refuse to be drug Driving (along with flying an aircraft etc) your parents being told and your arrest by the
tested at school, or your while intoxicated on drugs is already an police. Possession can still lead to all of the
parents can refuse, but they
offence, but there are plans to introduce above, but it’s more likely that you will be seen
will just treat you like the
test was positive. ‘drugalizers’, hand held devices similar to to have a ‘problem’ – rather than being one.
those used for roadside alcohol tests. Despite lack of evidence and against
Most standard drug tests indicate only government advice, some schools are still
whether or not particular drugs have been paying for sniffer dog raids and demanding
taken recently – they cannot distinguish that pupils be drug tested.
whether a drug was illicit or prescribed, what
amount was taken, how often it was taken, Getting caught by parents
or exactly when it was taken. The science is For many people this is the most serious of
not foolproof, false results are common – for all. Many young people find that even talking
instance just being in a room where cannabis about drugs with parents is a nightmare and
has been smoked could lead to a positive getting caught is well... use your imagination.
result, as can using certain medicines or If you do get caught, don’t expect them to
*some
Hair tests can detect
drugs taken up to 18
foods. understand or agree with you, but explain that
months ago. Use takes 7+ *Most methods of testing (saliva, urine, you have thought about what you are doing
days to show up (4+ weeks blood, sweat) can only detect what drugs and are aware of the risks. Remember that
to peak). These tests need have been used in the last few days or longer should your drug use become a problem, your
laboratory analysis, so are in a few cases (see chart below). parents can be your greatest allies and source
too expensive to be widely
used.
of help.

Number of days in which drugs are

detectable in urine.

Drug Days

Alcohol (beer/wine/spirits/etc.) 1
Nicotine (tobacco/gum/patch/etc.) 2
Methamphetamine 2
MDMA/MDA/MDEA (ecstasy, E) 2
Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) 3
Heroin/Morphine (smack, brown) 3
Amphetamine (speed, wiz) 4
LSD (lysergic acid, blotters, trips) 4
Cocaine (coke powder, crack) 4
Methadone (meth, green) 9
Cannabis (herbal or resin) 36+
Benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium) 40
Steroids 90+

Psychedelic drugs are rarely tested for by standard drug tests.

9.
 The 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act: Class A drugs Class B drugs Class C drugs
The main drug law is the 1971 Misuse of Drugs
include: include: include:
heroin, morphine, ketamine, cannabis, Buprenorphine (Subutex
Act (MoDA). This is a list of illegal drugs, known
opium, methadone, amphetamine sulphate, & Suboxone), steroids,
as controlled drugs. Drugs are assigned to one
ecstasy (MDMA, MDA mephedrone and similar benzodiazepines & some
of three classes depending on how harmful they
etc.), cocaine & ‘crack’, drugs, barbiturates, z-drugs GHB and GBL, BZP.
are thought to be. Class A drugs have the most
methamphetamine, codeine. Steroids are legal
serious punishments and class C the least serious
LSD, some ‘magic’ to possess in some
punishments. Any class B drug
mushrooms. circumstances.
prepared for injection
count as Class A.

10.
 Drug Laws
There are two main type of drugs offence – possession and supply.

Possession Possession – if under 18

Around 9 out of 10 drug offences involve If you are under 18 and caught in possession
possession. About 2 out of 3 of these involve of drugs – including cannabis – you will be
It is estimated that UK law small amounts of cannabis. How you are dealt arrested. Your parents or guardians will be
enforcement agencies deal
with up to two million people
with will depend on your age, if you admit the contacted. You will be taken to a police
each year for drug offences. offence (or not) and your attitude with the station and put in a cell. Your parents or
Among these, over half a police. If you are stopped by the police, be guardians or an ‘appropriate adult’ have a
million are stopped and reasonable with them and you are more likely right to be present the whole time you are
searched for drugs in public
by the police – amounting to
to treated reasonably. questioned.
over 1,500 drug-related stops
and searches every day – Possession – if over 18 Once you have been arrested the police can
about one a minute.
Possession is where the police find a small do a number of things:
Less than one in five ‘drug
busts’ ends up with a amount of a drug in your coat, pocket, bag, * They may decide that you’re innocent and
criminal conviction in court car, home etc, and accept that the drugs are take no further action;
(about 50,000 people a year), for your own personal use.
and of these, about one in * They may decide to issue a Youth Caution.
five (10,000) cases are sent This is similar to an adult caution, but
to prison. Cannabis Warnings
usually involves you agreeing to be seen by
For a first offence you will usually receive a
the Youth Offending Service (YOS). This
Cannabis Warning. This means the cannabis
is a service who will look at all aspects of
is confiscated and you get a verbal warning.
your life and behaviour and decide with the
Your name and address will be taken but you
police what, if any, further help or action is
will not be arrested.
required;
If you are caught in possession of cannabis
again you may receive an £90 spot-fine – * They may issue a Youth Conditional
called a Penalty Notice for Disorder, or PND. Caution. This is more formal than a Youth
If you are caught more than twice or with Caution, involving the YOS monitoring you to
any other controlled drug you will either be make sure you comply with the conditions of
cautioned or charged. the caution. Failure to comply can result in
you being charged with the original offence;
Cautions * They may decide to charge you with an
A caution is a written warning. If you go to
offence, which means going to court. If the
court at another time the caution may be
offence is more serious you can be held
mentioned – but there are no embarrassing
The Psychoactive court appearances or fines if you accept a
overnight (in local authority accommodation)
Substance Act caution. You may be cautioned more than
until you appear before the court.
A psychoactive substance is
once, but if you carry on getting caught you
any substance that affects
the brain. Over the last will end up in court. To get a caution you Supply/Dealing
decade a number of drugs must admit the offence. In practice this If the police can prove that you sold or
that were not covered by the gave the drugs to someone else, or that
Misuse of Drugs Act were amounts to saying something like:
sold as ‘legal Highs’. A new
you intended to do this, then you could
law is due to be introduced in be charged with supply or possession
April 2016* that will make it an “These are my drugs but they with intent to supply. These offences are
offence to sell, traffic or import
any psychoactive substance. are just for my personal use”” considered very serious. Whether or not the
The only exceptions are charge is simple drug possession or intent to
alcohol, nicotine, caffeine supply will depend on how much the person is
(found in tea, coffee and If you are charged with possession you may
chocolate) and medicines. end up in court. If you’re found guilty you will caught with (quantity), the style of packaging,
This new law is designed to most probably receive a fine. It is unlikely you whether anything else is found (e.g. Scales,
stop sales of ‘legal Highs’,
will go to prison for a charge of possession. bags, wads of cash).
including ‘poppers’ and
nitrous oxide if it is sold to In all cases where you are arrested you
get high. Possession of a have the right to say nothing and can be Official statistics show that about six in ten people dealt
psychoactive substance with for supply are sent to prison, compared with about
provided with a solicitor for free. one in 20 people dealt with for possession. The average
will not be an offence under
this act unless you are in prison sentence for supply cases is around three years for
prison, however importing class A drugs like cocaine, crack, heroin and ecstasy, to
a psychoactive substance just less than a year for class B drugs like amphetamines
from a foreign website may and cannabis.
be an offence.
*Accurate at time of writing, but
details may be amended before
the law is introduced. 11.
 Cannabis
Cannabis won’t kill you, but that
doesn’t mean it is harmless.

‘Stoned Agin’
Cannabis affects over half a dozen different
neurotransmitters which is why it has a wide
range of effects (known as getting ‘stoned’).
Very strong cannabis can seem like a mild
‘trip’ while lower strength cannabis may make
you feel dreamy, relaxed and mellow. Things
all seem a bit strange and different, music
sounds better, you have odd thoughts, dry
mouth, pink eyes and a strange desire for
chocolate or pizza (the ‘munchies’). Many first
time users feel as though the drug has had
no effect on them at all, as they giggle at the
wallpaper. The effects start a few minutes
after smoking and usually peak after about
half an hour and gradually wear off over the
next hour or so.

Cannabis is mainly smoked with tobacco, like a hand rolled

cigarette (called spliffs, joints, etc). Some smokers prefer
pipes or bongs. A vaporizer is less damaging to the lungs
than smoking cannabis. A minority of cannabis users prefer
to eat it, either neat, or cooked into food – particularly space-
cakes and cannabis cookies. THC is not water-soluble, so
cannot be injected or sniffed.

Paranoia and memory

The main negative effect reported by users is
‘pot paranoia’ – you can become convinced
that other people are laughing at you, or are
undercover police etc, although this should
only lasts while you are stoned.
Other negative effects include ‘whities’
(feeling dizzy or sick), and memory problems
(poor concentration, forgetfulness) – which
is why cannabis use should be avoided when
studying or revising for exams.

Dependence
Most cannabis users smoke it occasionally
(weekly to monthly), but about one in ten use
more regularly and may develop a habit. This
means that they crave cannabis and may
experience fairly minor withdrawal symptoms
if they stop using – including losing your
appetite, becoming anxious and moody,
After Henri Rousseau’s
‘The Snake Charmer’

12.
Types of cannabis
Of the thousands of chemicals in
cannabis about 60 of them are Tips for Safer cannabis use
known as cannabinoids. The three
most important cannabinoids having trouble sleeping and getting weird
* Avoid using cannabis before you are
are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
18. If you do use before this age, don’t dreams and night sweats. These withdrawals
– which produces most of the
effects – CBD (cannabidiol) and use regularly or heavily.
usually last a few days up to few weeks.
CBN (cannabinol) – which modify
the effects of THC. * Have days when you don’t use, Risks and harm
or restrict smoking to evenings or A recent study suggest that those ‘dependent’
weekends. on cannabis before the age of 18 may have
lower scores on IQ tests later in life – in other
* Avoid using stronger brands like
words heavy use when young might make you
skunk all the time.
dumber. This effect seems to be permanent,
* Avoid paranoia: don’t go out stoned even for those who stop using however, like
to places or with people you are most other cannabis research, the evidence
Cannabis comes as two main
types: herbal cannabis (weed, uncomfortable with or are likely to for this has been disputed.
bud), which is simply bits of dried make you anxious. There is no evidence that cannabis is a
plant; and cannabis resin (hash, ‘gateway’ to ‘harder’ drugs – in fact there is
solid), which is the sticky stuff * A vaporizer is less damaging to the a much stronger case that cigarettes are a
scraped off the buds and leaves lungs than smoking joints and bongs. ‘gateway’ to other drugs.
and pressed into blocks. Both
types come in standard and * Be discreet when buying, carrying or
Cannabis causes a slight increase in blood
stronger forms. Skunk is the pressure and heart rate and may increase
using cannabis.
strongest type of cannabis. It is the risk of heart problems and strokes in long
grown under artificial conditions * Avoid friendship networks based term users.
to produce a plant with much
entirely around the use of cannabis. Long-term heavy cannabis smoking can
more THC, and has many varieties
and brands (e.g. White Widow,
cause anything from a sticky cough to asthma
* Be honest with yourself; if your use
Cheese, Redbeard). or bronchitis.
of cannabis is getting to be a problem,
Claims that cannabis can cause cancer
try and cut down or stop for a while; are far from proven, with some evidence
if you have a problem doing this look suggesting that unlike tobacco, cannabis
for help . may even switch off cancer cells – preventing
The four main types along with cancer.
typical THC purities. Getting caught remains by far the most
Herbal grass/bush (5%–12%) common problem faced by cannabis users.
skunk/bud (10%–20%)

Resin soap-bar/formula (1%–5%)

Mental Illness
pollen/pollum (5%–10%) There is no clear evidence that cannabis
causes psychosis (see mental health section
p.7) which would not otherwise have occurred.
People with a history of psychotic illness can
have the illness made worse or triggered by
cannabis.
Cannabis users are about twice as likely to
experience psychosis as non users, although
those experiencing psychosis are more likely
to use cannabis to help them cope.
Synthetic cannabinoids A psychosis triggered by cannabis (often
Synthetic cannabinoids are called cannabis psychosis) is usually easier
chemicals sprayed onto the dried and quicker to treat than general psychosis
leaves of an ordinary plant, or
(weeks rather than months) – though such
available as a powder or as a
‘C’ liquid for use in vaporizers. cases are fairly rare, affecting around one in
Synthetic Cannabinoids are active 10,000 cannabis users over a year. The risk
in very small doses and are far may have been exaggerated by the media,
more potent and cause far more
but there is still a risk even it is a relatively
problems than ‘real’ cannabis
including breathing difficulties,
small one.
racing erratic heartbeat, severe Swallowed cannabis can feel very strong
rashes, kidney problems, vomiting and overpowering when it kicks in, so should
and unconsciousness. Synthetic be avoided by people with mental illness.
cannabinoids lead to frequent
It is thought that because it has much
hospitalisations and in rare cases
even death. Synthetic cannabinoids higher levels of THC, Skunk is more likely to
are highly ‘addictive’, causing trigger a psychosis than cannabis resin.
both psychological and physical
dependence and withdrawal.
13.
14.
Solvents (Volatile Substances)

Solvents or ‘Volatile Substances’

are chemicals that give off
vapours at room temperature,
which can be inhaled to get you
‘high’.
The most popular solvents are glues
(containing toluene) and lighter gas
(containing butane), but there are many
other solvents, including aerosols, varnishes,
polishes, and even petrol.

Effects
When solvent vapours are inhaled the effect
is usually felt straight away. The effects last
from a few minutes to half an hour (longer
with repeat doses). Getting high on solvents
feels similar to being drunk. Higher doses
can feel ‘trippy’ including altered awareness
and hallucinations. Physical effects include
slurred speech and loss of co-ordination
which often results in accidents.

Risks
Solvents kill around one young person every
week. They can kill you the first time you
use them or the 500th time you use them.
Most deaths are due to the toxic (poisonous)
effects of the chemicals, which often leads to
heart failure.
Inhaling vapours directly from their
containers can kill. It is safer to either soak
the solvent into a cloth and inhale the vapours
through that, or put the solvents into small
plastic bag (covering the mouth only) and
inhale from this. Avoid putting large plastic
bags over the whole head as this can cause
death from suffocation.
Passing out and choking on your own vomit
can also kill, which is why using solvents alone
is more dangerous than doing it in a group, as
there is no-one to look after you if things go
wrong (see ‘Looking after your mates’ p.23).

Young people often use solvents because

they can’t afford or get hold of other drugs.
Regular use is often about trying to cope with
problems like depression or anxiety – 1 in 5
solvent-related deaths are suicides.
Although not physically dependent, users
can become isolated and lonely and some
can carry on using until they are in their 20s
or 30s.

15.
 Psychedelic Drugs (Hallucinogenic/mind-bending, trippy)
Psychedelic drugs change the way we normally think, feel and
perceive the world around us.

Our awareness of the world around us comes Major changes to how we sense the world
from our senses (sight, sound, smell, taste and – such as someone appearing to have two
touch). Some drugs can have an effect on mouths – are called hallucinations. Although
the information our brains are receiving from real hallucinations are rare, distortions in
our senses, which together with the effect the way you feel and see things are fairly
they have on the way we think and process common.
information can profoundly change the way we A number of drugs cause hallucinations and
sense the world. distort reality. Some – like peyote (mescaline)
When drugs cause minor changes to how and DMT – are fairly rare in Britain. The
we sense the world, like seeing brighter most common are ketamine, LSD, ‘magic’
colours – the effects are usually called mushrooms and salvia divinorum.
illusions.

16.
Ketamine Pick a safe place Spiking
In lower doses ketamine feels
Talking to ‘normal’ people can be hard when Spiking – giving someone drugs without their
‘buzzy’ and ‘wobbly’. But in
higher doses it is a powerful
you have taken a hallucinogenic drug (often consent – is very dangerous, as well as a
hallucinogenic: you feel called ‘tripping’). Tripping with friends is one criminal offence. They may think they have
unable to move; your mind thing, but if you have to go home and see gone insane or could have a serious accident.
enters a dream world (called a your parents – or deal with a doctor or police
‘K-hole’), and you have bizarre
experiences – including floating
officer things can become extremely difficult. Picking Mushrooms
out of the body.
This is why trips should only be taken when in Picking the wrong mushroom can be
a good mood, and with friends in a location dangerous, because though many look
where you feel safe. Avoid ‘tripping’ anywhere quite similar, some are very poisonous. To
risky, like by water or main roads. pick magic mushrooms safely you need an
experienced guide (like an old hippie), or at
If sniffed or injected the effects Tripping on your own least a good book with pictures.
are more intense, lasting 30 Avoid tripping on your own – its best to do
mins to an hour, as opposed to it with friends, including at least one person Bad Trips
2 to 3 hours if swallowed.
who is not tripping (called a ‘ground controller’ A ‘bad trip’ is where the experience gets
There are a number of other
drugs which are chemically
or ‘sitter’) to look after you, should it all go frightening or you don’t like it. This is less of
similar to ketamine. horribly wrong. a problem for short acting drugs like salvia,
but more serious for long acting psychedelic
LSD and Mushrooms
The psilocybin mushroom trip
Physical Harm drugs. Try and stay calm and remember that
Any activity more demanding than opening the effects will wear off.
lasts 4 to 6 hours is similar to
LSD, which lasts 8 to 12 hours. a packet of biscuits should be avoided when Some experienced trippers, use a small
Effects range from a heightened tripping as the main risks to health are injuries dose of benzodiazepine to ‘turn off’ the trip,
sense of colour and sound, to arising from accidents. but these drugs have their own risks (page 20.)
major changes in the way other
Avoid baths: as a number of people have
people and things appear (e.g.
seeing someone else in the
drowned in their own baths while tripping on
mirror). hallucinogenic drugs (particularly ketamine).
The red and white capped There is now clear evidence that heavy,
Fly Agaric mushrooms grow regular ketamine use can cause serious
wild and are legal, but need
bladder problems.
careful preparation before use.

Mental Health
Regular users of ketamine may develop
psychosis, particularly people predisposed
to mental disorder. If you suffer from mental
health problems like anxiety or depression, you
should avoid psychedelic drugs altogether, as
you are far more likely to have a ‘bad trip’.

Long and short acting Dependence

psychedelic drugs
With LSD, mushrooms and most other
Smoking salvia divinorum
causes a very intense
hallucinogenic drugs, regular use leads to
psychedelic experience, often the effects quickly becoming much weaker,
involving ‘time shifts’, but is so they aren’t really habit forming. Regular If a friend is experiencing a ‘bad trip’,
short acting, 5 to 10 minutes. use of Ketamine does not cause physical take them to a place that is quiet and
There are lots of other NPS
(New Psychoactive Substances)
dependence but can cause psychological safe (not a dance floor in a nightclub).
dependence.
that produce psychedelic Try to calm and reassure them. This
effects which can last for 12
can take hours, so be prepared to
hours or more. Before you take The Lethal Dose
any psychedelic / hallucinogenic
The lethal dose of ketamine is about 35 times
be patient or take it in shifts. If they
drug find out as much as you
higher than the effective dose, while the lethal become panicky and you notice them
can about it.
dose of LSD is 1,000 times higher than the breathing very fast, get them to control
effective dose – so fatal overdoses are rare. their breathing by slowing it down or
Risks increase if they are mixed with alcohol breathing into a paper bag.
or other drugs.

17.
 Stimulant Drugs
Stimulant drugs share similar effects and similar problems.
The Heart
Heart attacks kill over 200
The main differences between stimulant drugs a slippery slope to dependency. It is better stimulant users every year.
are: how high you get; how long the effects to drink a glass of water before sleep, take Cocaine in particular causes
last for and if they have mainly stimulant a couple of paracetamol (if needed) and heart problems, even in small
effects (like amphetamine) or stimulant and put up with it if you can. The come-down is amounts. People with existing
heart problems should avoid all
‘trippy’ effects (like ecstasy). the price you pay for getting high. As the
stimulant drugs:
old saying goes “There is no such thing as If you do feel chest pains and
The Stimulant Effect a free buzz” shortness of breath when
When faced with a danger, our in-built using, sit down and rest for at
Dependence least 15 minutes. If the pain
survival mechanism, known as the ‘fight or
Stimulants do not cause physical hasn’t gone or is severe – call
flight response’, kicks in. Within seconds the
dependence in the same way as alcohol or an ambulance.
neurotransmitter noradrenaline is released.
heroin, but can cause severe psychological Heatstroke
This makes you feel wide-awake and alert to
dependence: Stimulants drugs can make
everything going on around you: the pupils of
Stick to occasional use. Once a month you very hot. Heatstroke
your eyes enlarge so you can see more clearly (hyperthermia) can kill. A body
is more than enough for most people. If
in the dark; you don’t feel the need to eat and temperature of over 40 degrees
you start to need more, it is time to cut
your heart beats faster to pump more oxygen for two hours is fatal in most
down or stop. Your chances of becoming cases. Some people seem to
to your muscles so you are ready to run away
dependent increase dramatically if you are be more at risk than others and
or fight off that Sabre Tooth Tiger (next doors
using powerful stimulants, notably, Crack heatstroke may also be related
cat etc). The stimulating effects of drugs like to how much you take:
cocaine or Crystal Meth.
amphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy mimic Take regular rests from
this ‘flight or fight’ response in our brains and dancing: sip water or soft
bodies.
Mental health drinks at regular intervals – no
Stimulants can cause paranoia (see p.5). more than about a pint (half-
Heavy stimulant use can lead to parasitosis litre) an hour. Avoid alcohol
The Trippy Effect (the delusion ‘bugs’ are on or under your as it dehydrating. If you are
The best known ‘trippy’ stimulant is very hot remove outer clothes
skin). Regular users can become mentally
ecstasy (MDMA), which, like LSD affects and hat; If you can’t cool
exhausted, depressed, and especially down, have trouble peeing or
the neurotransmitter serotonin. Ecstasy
with cocaine and alcohol, prone to violent stop sweating – ring for an
type drugs affect your mood and emotions,
outbursts. Regular use of ecstasy (MDMA) ambulance.
increasing feelings of friendliness, openness,
may cause memory problems for weeks or
and empathy (feeling close to other people). Alcohol
months after regular use.
They also change the way you perceive the Stimulants keep you awake,
Stimulant drug use can trigger psychotic so more time for drinking.
world around you. Vision becomes more
illness, particularly in those people with Alcohol and cocaine, make
colourful, music sounds better, and skin
existing mental health problems (page 8). violence more likely and
becomes more sensitive. Distortions in reality produce another drug in your
Don’t use too often: If you start to
can occur, although hallucinations are rarer. body – cocaethylene, which is
experience psychotic symptoms or other
more damaging to your heart
mental issues – stop using and see if the
How high, how long? problems disappear, if they don’t, get help.
and liver then either drug on
their own:.
The duration and intensity of the stimulant
People usually recover from drug induced It is a good idea to drink non-
‘high’ depends on the drug, how much you alcoholic drinks, for some of
psychosis in a few weeks (sometimes with
take and the way you take it. Effects can last the night.
medical help) but only if they stop using.
minutes or more than 24 hours (see chart
Teeth Grinding
opposite), although users often go on binges
Tense muscles and dry mouth
(missions), repeating the dose over a night or are common with ecstasy type
days in some cases. drugs: Try chewing sugar
free gum.
The Come-Down
When stimulants wear off, the ‘come-down’
starts – you feel tired, achy, moody and sorry
for yourself. Most people use stimulants
at weekends, so they have time to recover,
although MDMA can trigger a moody
comedown days after using. Some use
alcohol, cannabis or benzodiazepines to help
with the come down, but this can start you on

18.
 Crack cocaine
If Crack is smoked or injected
the high lasts about 5 to 15 minutes
before wearing off.
Crystal Methamphetamine
Smoking or injecting, crystal meth Cocaine powder
gives a high that is as intense
The high from snorting powdered
as smoking crack. The effects can
cocaine is much less intense
last a day or more.
than crack, lasting about 20 to 30
minutes per dose, before gradually Ecstasy (MDMA) last about four to
wearing off. six hours. Ecstasy is also sold as
Methamphetamine Crystal
crystals or powder. A large number
The effects of amphetamine MDMA
of other drugs, such as mephedrone
and methamphetamine have similar effects to ecstasy.
are fairly similar, though
methamphetamine lasts MDMA powder
Mephedrone
longer, between 12 to 24
hours.
Ecstasy
(MDMA)
Dexamphetamine
Dexamphatamine is a purified
version of amphetamine.

Psychedelic
Base Amphetamine stimulants
Base amphetamine is usually There are a number of
twice as strong as the powder different psychedelic (trippy)
Amphetamine Sulphate stimulants. Some are similar
The effects of amphetamine in effect to ecstasy, while
sulphate last around six to others may be longer lasting
twelve hours. and or much trippier.
.

When swallowed pills and powders

start working after 20 to 30 minutes,
although this can be an hour or more
with some pills. The effects of snorting
powders are felt quite quickly (10 to
20 minutes). Injecting and smoking
stimulants gives an almost instant high.

Aphrodite (lightly dusted in cocaine powder) after Botticelli

19..
 Depressant Drugs
Opiates, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs Barbiturate

Heroin & other Opiates

Drugs that are made from the opium poppy,
such as heroin, are known as opiates – as are
any man-made drugs with a similar chemical Z-drugs
structure.
Regular heroin users say the effect is a bit
like being ‘wrapped in cotton wool’ – problems
don’t seem to matter, you feel detached and Diazepam
happier – which is why heroin is attractive to Barbiturates (barbs) killed so
people who are in emotional or physical pain. many drug users in the 1970s

The sedative effects of heroin make users Benzodiazepines & Z-drugs – doctors started prescribing
a ‘safer’ alternative –
look like they are dropping off to sleep – Benzodiazepines are drugs prescribed by
benzodiazepines (benzo’s), but
which is known as gouching. Other opiates doctors to reduce anxiety and stress or this drug also became widely
have similar although milder effects to heroin. to aid sleep. The most common ‘benzo’s’ misused. The most common
Heroin produces both psychical and are diazepam (once called Valium) and benzo’s are diazepam (once
temazepam. Z-drugs (zopiclone and zolpidem) called Valium) and temazepam.
psychological dependence – it is the most
Other common benzodiazepines
addictive of addictive drugs. Anyone who uses were introduced as a “safer alternative”
include nitrazepam
heroin every day for a month or two will almost to benzodiazepines, but are now known to be (Mogadon), flunitrazepam
certainly become addicted to it. This means just as habit-forming and harmful. (Rohypnol), lorazepam (Ativan),
that unless they take it at least once every The effects of benzodiazepines and z-drugs chlordiazepoxide (Librium),
are a bit like being drunk, and are often mixed and alprazolam (Xanax). Just
eight hours, they will experience withdrawals –
as benzo’s replaced barbs,
called ‘cold turkey’ or a ‘rattle’. with alcohol to get the completely ‘off your
Z-drugs (zopiclone and
While smoking heroin can cause respiratory face’ experience. They slow down mental zolpidem) were seen as a safer
(breathing) disorders such as asthma, processes and bodily responses, making alternative to benzo’s, but are
injection carries a far greater risk of death people feel calm and relaxed, or making them now known to be just as habit-
fall asleep. forming and harmful.
from overdose and diseases spread by
sharing injection equipment. About 1 in 100 Daily use of benzodiazepines can lead to
British heroin injectors have HIV, the virus that physical addiction within just a few weeks,
leads to AIDS, but about 4 in every 10 have some research also suggests that zopiclone
hepatitis C and about 2 in 10 have hepatitis B. has an even greater addictive potential than
More than half of all overdose deaths from benzodiazepines.
illegal drugs involve heroin. Death is usually Unlike barbiturates, the withdrawal from
caused by respiratory failure or choking on benzodiazepine does not carry a risk of Subutex
vomit while unconscious. Overdose almost death, but the symptoms are so unpleasant
Methadone
always involves injecting, and is much more – including nightmares and anxiety attacks –
likely when users have stopped for a while that it can take years to slowly come off them.
Methadone is prescribed
and lost their tolerance (for instance when However, the vast majority of deaths involve
to ‘addicts’ as a substitute
coming out of prison or rehab). benzodiazepines or Z-drugs being mixed with for street heroin, as it stops
other drugs (particularly alcohol). Regular use withdrawals, but doesn’t give
Heroin affects three brain chemicals of zopiclone may also cause cancer. much of a high and is difficult
(neurotransmitters): it mimics Because they reduce concentration, make to inject.
endorphins (which reduce pain); it Buprenorphine (Subutex and
thinking fuzzy, and slow down reaction time,
boosts dopamine (which increases Suboxone) are both used as
benzodiazepines and Z-drugs can make even substitute treatments, but also
pleasure); and it reduces noradrenaline
(which causes sedation (sleepiness). So
simple tasks like boiling a kettle potentially stop heroin from having an
its main effects include more pleasure, hazardous, so should not be used when effect. Subutex does still give
less pain, and sedation. driving or doing anything else that could lead a high and is both used as a
‘street drug’ (it is very popular
to accidents.
in prison) and carries a risk of
overdose. Other milder opiates
used both medically and as
street drugs include codeine,
dihydrocodeine (DF118s) and
Heroin Tramadol.

20.
 Other Drugs
Poppers, GHB/GBL, Laughing Gas, New Psychoactive Substances

Poppers Laughing Gas

Poppers is the slang name for chemicals Nitrous oxide, commonly known as Laughing
called alkyl nitrites. The fumes are inhaled, Gas, is a mild anaesthetic commonly used by
by placing the bottle under the nose, and women in child birth.
sniffing once or twice. The liquid is caustic, Recreational users often get it from
so if touches the nose or face, it can whipped-cream chargers, sometimes called
cause chemical burns and should never be ‘whippets’, which are used to fill a balloon with
Poppers swallowed. gas, which can then be inhaled.
The main types available in Poppers have similar effects to solvents Effects of a single inhalation peak after
Britain are butyl nitrite and
– they give an intense disorientating ‘rush’ 10 to 20 seconds and it is usually all over
isobutyl nitrite (and sometimes
amyl nitrite). They are clear
lasting a couple of minutes. Some people find within 2 minutes (although it is often used
liquids which come in small this pleasant, some just feel sick. repeatedly over a short time). Effects include
bottles, and which smell fruity They increase blood pressure and heart- feeling dizzy, euphoric (some feel sick). It
when fresh, and a bit like cat rate, so people with heart or blood pressure can cause hallucinogenic effects and (as the
wee when stale.
problems should avoid them. Like solvents, name suggests) giggling and laughing.
poppers are highly flammable, so users People with heart conditions or abnormal
should not smoke at the same time. blood pressure should avoid Nitrous Oxide
Poppers are legal to possess but the Don’t inhale directly from the canister as
Psychoactive Substances Act (see page 11) this can seriously damage the throat and
will make selling them an offence. Amyl nitrite, lungs. Death from Asphyxiation can occur if
which is prescribed to people with heart the gas is inhaled continuously with no air
problems is illegal to supply unless you are breathed.
a doctor or pharmacist. Do not use nitrous oxide with a bag over
your head (even if mixed with air) or with a
GHB and GBL mask attached to cylinders of pure nitrous
GHB (GBL is almost identical) is swallowed oxide. This will deprive the body of oxygen
Gammahydroxybutyrate or
as a liquid. GHB is a sedative, though larger and several deaths have been associated
GHB (known as GBH or liquid
E) is sold as a clear liquid in doses can produce ecstasy-like effects. It with these methods of use.
bottles, and is usually made affects the same neurotransmitter as alcohol
illegally. GBL is a widely used (GABA), and so feels a bit like being drunk. New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
industrial chemical (found GHB enhances the effects of stimulant drugs Over the last decade a vast number of drugs,
in things like paint stripper),
like ecstasy and it is also used as a sex drug known as ‘New Psychoactive Substances’
which, when swallowed, is
turned into GHB by your liver and to enhance muscle growth. (NPS), have appeared. These are drugs that are
and so has the same effect. If too much GHB/GBL is taken, particularly not controlled by the existing drug laws and
mixed with alcohol, it can lead to collapse were often called ‘Legal Highs’. However, a new
and deep unconsciousness – in this condition law is due to be introduced in April 2016 which
users can easily choke to death on their will make it an offence to sell, traffic or import
vomit. GHB has also been known to cause any psychoactive substance (see page 11). This
breathing and heart problems. The lethal will mean there will be no more ‘legal highs’
dose is 16 grams – just eight times higher than although it is likely that all sorts of NPS will still
the effective dose. GHB was involved in 20 be used. NPS are drugs that are untested on
deaths in Britain in 2014 – equal to the highest humans. The people who are using them act as
number ever recorded. Guinea Pigs in an experiment where the risks
GHB/GBL can also lead to severe daily involved are unknown. Do your research and try
addiction in a minority of users. Stopping use and find out as much as you can about an NPS
when heavily addicted can be fatal, so anyone before you ever use it (see page 22).
Laughing Gas
Recreational users often get it addicted should carry on using until they can
from whipped-cream chargers, get a medically supervised withdrawal from
sometimes called ‘whippets’, their local drug service.
which are used to fill a balloon
with gas, which can then be
inhaled.

21.
 Steroids
& Image Enhancing Drugs

A number of drugs claim to ‘improve’

the way we look and perform:
increasing concentration and memory
(smart drugs); smoothing out wrinkles
when injected into the face (Botox);
enhancing erections (Viagra) or even giving
you a suntan like an Umpa Lumpa and
acting as an aphrodisiac at the same time
(Melanotan2).
The best known ‘image enhancing drugs’
are anabolic steroids. These are man-made
versions of the male hormone testosterone.
There are hundreds of different sorts
(clenbuterol, dianabol etc) though many are
fakes.
Some steroids have to be injected into
muscles, some swallowed as tablets. They are
used mainly by men as with a high-protein
diet and body-building exercise they help
build muscles.
Steroids can have side-effects – such as
hair loss, acne, shrunken testicles, feminized
breasts in men and aggression (‘roid rage’).
Teenagers should not use them at all because
they may affect bones in those still growing.
Longer term use may cause heart
problems and lead others to develop a
severely distorted view of there own bodies
(sometimes called ‘bigorexia’ as the condition
has similarities to anorexia).
The law around steroids is complicated.
Many are class C drugs, so it is an offence
to supply them – but possession is only
an offence if the steroids have been made
illegally. You can no longer (legally) buy them
from foreign internet sites, although it is still
legal to buy them in another country and
bring them back with you.

Drug Information
The first version of this booklet was written the same experience even if taking the same Sex and drugs
Drink and drugs can lower your
before the Internet. It is now far easier to find drug at the same time.
inhibitions and affect your sense of
out about a drug before you use it. There is Of course, as your teacher will tell you, right and wrong. It is a good idea
no shortage of information, even if some of it the best advice is: don’t take drugs in the to carry condoms . . . just in case.
is unreliable. first place. However, if you are going to use
For drug information we recommend ‘The a drug for the first time, we advise you find
Vaults of Erowid’ www.erowid.org. Drug User out as much as you can about it. Don’t use
forums can also be useful, although don’t alone. Use the smallest dose you can. It is
believe everything people say – double better to build up the dose than taking it all
check. If other people have taken the same in one go. Remember the old drug users
drug, listen to what they say (e.g. if they say saying . . .
the drug is ‘very strong’ it is probably ‘very “You can always take more, but you can
strong’) – but remember: no two people have never take less”

22.
Looking after your mates
What to do if it all goes wrong.

The Golden Rule can’t be woken from) and then vomits, and
Before you use drugs, it is best to talk through is lying on their back, they can swallow their
with your mates what you would do if it all vomit and literally drown in it. That is why you
goes horribly wrong. Make some rules about should put them in the recovery position.
what you would do in an emergency and
follow the Golden Rule: Ambulances
“Look after your mates in the same way If somebody is unconscious it is very
you would want them to look after you.” dangerous. Your body performs lots of
If your mates are doing something functions automatically without you having to
dangerous or likely to get you or them into think about them, like breathing and making
trouble, stop them. Don’t let them drink or your heart beat. If you slip into a state of
take any more drugs. Take them home or deep unconsciousness, all these functions
somewhere safe to sober up. Never let them that you take for granted, may slow down
drive when intoxicated or get into a car with or stop and you may die. That is why it is
someone who is. so important to ring for an ambulance if
somebody is unconscious and you can’t wake
Bad Trips them.
For information on dealing with bad trips – When you call the ambulance you don’t
see Psychedelic Drugs, page 17. have to mention drugs, but tell them that the
person is unconscious. When the ambulance
Vomit arrives, it is important that you tell the
Vomiting is an occupational hazard among ambulance crew what they have taken, as this
drug users. Vomiting is usually nature’s way information could save their life.
of telling you that you’ve had enough or taken
something new that your body does not Ringing for an ambulance
recognise. If somebody is unwell, don’t give If somebody is unconscious and you have
them anything to eat and only let them drink taken drugs yourself, panicking is a natural
water (never force them to drink anything). If reaction. There is a temptation to run off
after vomiting your mate wants to sleep, let and leave them in case you get into trouble.
them, but keep your eye on them. Make sure WRONG! Remember the Golden Rule, what
they are lying on their side and still breathing. kind of mate would leave you there? It’s a bit
like a hit-and-run driver. Running somebody
Drowning in vomit over is serious, but driving away and leaving
As unpleasant as it sounds, drowning in your the injured person gets you into far more
own vomit is a common causes of death from trouble with the police, it will be seen as
drink or drugs. If somebody collapses and cowardly by your friends and will haunt you
becomes unconscious (a deep sleep they for the rest of your life.

The Recovery Position

If your friend is unconscious put them in the recovery position – lying on their side with one knee
out and their hands positioned as in the diagram (below). This is a position designed to stop them
rolling on to their backs. If you know first aid stay with them and call for help. If there is more than
one of you get someone to call an ambulance while one of you stays with the unconscious person.

23.
 For help, advice and Information
Contact details of your local drug service available through the FRANK website. www.talktofrank.com

“If we could sniff or swallow something that would, for five or six hours each day, abolish
our solitude as individuals, atone us with our fellows in a glowing exaltation of affection
and make life in all its aspects seem not only worth living, but divinely beautiful and
significant, and if this heavenly, world-transfiguring drug were of such a kind that we
could wake up next morning with a clear head and an undamaged constitution – then,
it seems to me, all our problems (and not merely the one small problem of discovering
a novel pleasure) would be wholly solved and earth would become paradise.”

Aldous Huxley (Wanted, A New Pleasure. 1949).

code B4 | version 2.2

Print date 12/2015

aims
To present the facts about commonly available drugs
in a realistic down-to-earth way. It provides detailed
information on specific drugs and clearly identifies
associated risks and dangers. In addition it explains what
getting caught will mean and gives detailed information
on looking after your friends if things go wrong.

audience
Young people aged 13+

content
The occasional mild swear word.

funding
Self-financed.

To re-order go to exchangesupplies.org
Published by: Exchange Supplies, 1 Great Western Industrial Centre, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RD.
Text: Michael Linnell and Dr. Russell Newcombe. Design and illustration: Michael Linnell.