A GUIDE TO DRUGS STIMULANTS, DEPRESSANTS HALLUCINOGENS & ANALGESICS

Transcription

1 A GUIDE TO DRUGS STIMULANTS, DEPRESSANTS HALLUCINOGENS & ANALGESICS PAGE 1 PAL

2 The Law When it comes to the law for drugs there are different classes and different punishments. Possessions; This means that you have been caught with an illegal drug or substance. The Police can tell your guardian, they could also inform the social services and the problem service. For punishment the following can happen: A formal warning (this will be put on police files but if you offend again the police may charge you.) A Formal caution (a central police record held for 5 years, if you offend again this can be held against you.) A charge with an offence leading to a Youth Court hearing (this is more likely to repeat offenders, who may end up with a fine or a custodial sentence.) If you had any intention of dealing you may be charged with a more serious offence. The decisions over whether you re charged with intent to supply are based on the circumstances in which you were caught and the quantity of drugs you were caught with. The police can take the same course of action as in simple possession cases, but this time you re more likely to be charged. If your case goes to court the penalties are likely to be heavier. Class A The class of drugs, as defined by the Misuse of Drugs Act, that attracts the highest penalties. Class A drugs include cocaine, crack, ecstasy, heroin, methadone, LSD, prepared magic mushrooms, and amphetamines prepared for injection. Maximum penalties: Possession - 7 years in prison and/or a fine Supply - life in prison and/or a fine Class B The class of drugs, as defined by the Misuse of Drugs Act, that includes amphetamines and barbiturates. Maximum penalties: Possession - 5 years in prison and/or a fine Supply - 14 years in prison and/or a fine Class C The class of drugs, as defined by the Misuse of Drugs Act, that includes cannabis, anabolic steroids and tranquillisers. Maximum penalties: Possession - cannabis possession can in theory attract a maximum penalty of two years in prison and/or a fine, though police guidelines are that adults should not normally be arrested for possessing small quantities. It is not illegal to possess anabolic steroids or tranquillisers (Except temazepam, which can attract a maximum penalty of two? Years in prison and/or a fine) Supply - 14 years in prison and/or a fine PAL PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAL

3 Alcohol Alcohol is found in drinks like Beer, lager, alcopops, cider, wine and spirits. It is illegal to sell alcohol to under-18s (unless they re 16 or 17 and having a meal in a restaurant) Police will soon have legal powers to confiscate alcohol from under-18s drinking in public. Where there s a local bye-law, they can already do this. Alcoholic drinks come in different strengths, measured as a % by volume. The higher the% marked on the label the stronger the drink will be. Alchopops often contain more alcohol than many beers, lager or cider. Many People enjoy drinking alcohol. In small amounts it can help them to relax and feel more sociable. Some people use alcohol to escape from their problems. The effect depends on the strength of the drink and how fast it is consumed. It also varies according to when a person last ate, and their weight, mood and surroundings. Speech can become slurred, co-ordination affected and emotions heightened. A hangover (the after-effects of alcohol) can leave you feeling ill for a day or so. Alcohol is a depressant drug. Users can end up feeling very down. Women get more drunk than men on the same amount of alcohol. They can also develop drink-related health problems earlier. Overdose (drinking far too much) can lead to loss of consciousness. Users then risk choking on their own vomit. This can kill. Overdose can also cause alcoholic poisoning, which can be fatal. Long-term over-use can lead to serious liver, heart and stomach problems. More than 25,000 deaths in the UK each year are alcohol-related. Mixing alcohol with other drugs is SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS Anabolic Steroids Trade names include: SUSTANON 250, DECA-DURABOLIN, DIANABOL, ANAVAR AND STANSOZLOL. MAY BE REFERRED TO BY USERS AS ROIDS Anabolic Steroids can only be sold lawfully by a pharmacist to someone with a doctor s prescription. While possession isn t illegal without a prescription, supply is against the law and Class C penalties apply. Anabolic Steroids are similar to, and include, the male hormone, testosterone. They are used in medicine to treat anaemia and muscle weakness after surgery. Don t confuse them with the type of steroids used to treat eczema/asthma. Some body-builders use anabolic steroids, as well as people who think it ll improve their body image Some can be swallowed, but most need to be injected. Use in sports is prohibited. A positive test for the drug can ruin a sporting career. Users claim steroids make them fell more aggressive and able to train harder. With experience, anabolic steroids can help build up muscle. However, there is some debate about whether they improve muscle power and athletic performance. Anabolic steroids help users to recover from strenuous exercise. Taking anabolic steroids carries many health risks and can stop young people from growing properly. The risks for MEN include: erection problems. Breast growth, shrinking testicles, reduced sperm and even sterility, acne, increased chance of heart attack and liver failure. The risks for WOMEN include: growth of facial hair, deepening voice, shrinking breasts, messed-up menstrual cycle, spots, possible, miscarriage and stillbirth. Some effects, such as change in breast size, may be irreversible without surgery. Injecting can damage veins. Sharing needles or syringes puts users at risks of dangerous infections like hepatitis and HIV. PAL PAGE 4 PAGE 5 PAL

4 Cannabis Marijuana, draw, blow, weed, puff, shit, hash, ganja Cannabis is a natural substance from a plant commonly called hemp It comes in a solid, dark lump known as resin or as leaves, stalks and seeds called grass, or as a sticky oil. It can be rolled with tobacco in a spliff or joint, smoked on its own in a special pipe or eaten. There are different strengths of cannabis some {e.g. skunk) are very strong. Cannabis is a Class B drug (but Class A penalties can apply to cannabis oil). Getting stoned on cannabis makes most users relaxed and talkative. It heightens the senses, especially when it comes to colours, tastes and music. Cooking and eating hash makes the effects more intense and harder to control. It can leave people feeling tired and lacking energy. Hash may bring on cravings for certain foods. Affects short-term memory and ability to concentrate. Getting stoned affects co-ordination, increasing the risk of accidents. It impairs driving skills, so never get in a car with someone who is stoned. It can make users paranoid and anxious, depending on their mood and situation. Smoking joints with tobacco can lead to users getting hooked on cigarettes. Smoking cannabis over a long period of time may increase the risk of respiratory disorders, including lung cancer. Many users find cannabis hard to quit PAL PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAL

5 Cocaine Crack Coke, Charlie, snow, C. Know It Cocaine is a white a powder that can be snorted up the nose, some users inject it. It is a Class A drug. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant. The buzz creates a sense of well-being, making users feel alert and confident. The effects last roughly 30 minutes Users are often left craving more. People may also take more to delay the comedown (tiredness and depression). Cocaine can cause heart problems and chest pain. Heavy use of cocaine can cause convulsions. Large or frequent doses over a short period can leave users restless, confused and paranoid. Snorting Cocaine may permanently damage the inside of the nose. Users may find their habit expensive and hard to control. Users have died from overdose. Rock, Wash, stone. Crack is a smokeable form of cocaine. It is a Class A drug. The effects of smoking crack are similar to snorting cocaine but much more intense. The high lasts as little is 10 minutes. Users often chase the high by repeating the dose. Heavy users may tale heroin to dull the craving caused by the use of crack. Heavy use can lead to potentially fatal heart problems. Heavy users risk convulsions Crack is highly addictive. Because the high can be so intense, crack use id often difficult to control. Smoking crack can seriously harm the lungs and cause chest pains. After the high, feelings of restlessness, nausea and sleeplessness are common. Large or frequent doses over a short period can leave users restless, confused and paranoid. Regular users may find their habit very expensive. Users have died from overdose. PAL PAGE 8 PAGE 9 PAL

6 GHB GHB (sometimes known as GBH) is short of gammahydroxybutyrate. GHB comes as a colourless liquid and is sold in small bottles or capsules. The liquid is measured out in capfuls and then swallowed. GHB has no smell but a salty taste. It was originally developed as a medicine for use during surgery. GHB is used as an alternative to anabolic steroids. Possession of GHB isn t illegal without a prescription, but supply is against the law and class C penalties may apply. GHB has sedative properties and can produce feelings of euphoria. The effects have been known to last for a day. Excessive hits could lead to sickness, stiff muscles, fits and even collapse. If incorrectly produced, GHB can badly burn the mouth. It is VERY DANGEROUS and can be fatal when mixed with alcohol or other drugs. The long-term effects of GHB are not yet fully known. Solvents Gases, Glues & Aerosols These are found in: Lighter gas refills and fuel canisters. Aerosols containing products such as hairspray, deodorants and air fresheners. Tines or tubes of glue Some paints, thinners and correcting fluids. They are sniffed or breathed into the lungs It is illegal for shopkeepers to sell under-18s, or to people acting for them, if they suspect the product is intended for abuse. Users feel thick-headed, dizzy, giggly and dreamy. They may also hallucinate (see or hear things which aren t real) The effects disappear after 15 to 45 minutes Afterwards, users feel drowsy and may suffer a headache. Use of gases, glues or aerosols can cause instant death even on the first go. Squirting the stuff down the throat may cause the body to produce fluid that floods the lungs. This can be fatal. Abusing gases, glues or aerosols can lead to nausea, vomiting, black-outs and fatal heart problems Accidents can happen when the user is high because their senses are affected. There is a risk of suffocation if the substance is inhaled from a plastic bag over the head. Long-term abuse can damage the brain, liver and kidneys. PAL PAGE 10 PAGE 11 PAL

7 Ecstasy E, XTC, disco biscuits, echoes, hug drug, eccies, burgers, fantasy (chemical name: MDMA) Know It Ecstasy usually comes in tablets or different shapes, size and colour (but often white). The effects of MDMA are unpredictable. A tablet might not contain MDMA. Other drugs which might be sold as MDMA can have very different effects. Ecstasy is a Class A drug. Users can feel alert and in tune with their surroundings and with other people too. Sound, Colour and emotions can seem much more intense. The energy buzz from ecstasy means users may dance for hours The effects last anything from 3 to 6 hours. As ecstasy starts working (known as coming up ) users may feel a tightening of the jaw, nausea, sweating and an increase in heart rates. The comedown can leave users feeling tired and depressed, often for days. Use has been linked to liver and kidney problems Studies into the effects of ecstasy are still at an early stage. However, research shows that MDMA dramatically affects the brain and chemistry animals. There have been about 60 ecstasy-related deaths in the UK. PAL PAGE 12 PAGE 13 PAL

8 Heroin Smack, brown, horse, gear, H, junk, skag, jack. Heroin is a painkilling drug made from morphine which is derived from the opium poppy. It comes as a white powder when pure. Street heroin is usually brownish-white. It is snorted, smoked or injected. Heroin is a Class A Drug The effects In small doses, heroin gives the user a sense of warmth and well-being. Higher doses can make them drowsy and relaxed. Excessive amounts can result in overdose, coma and in some cases death. First-time use often leads to side-effects like dizziness and vomiting. Heroin is very addictive. Getting the next fix can dominate a user s life. Tolerance develops, which means the user needs more heroin to get the same effect. Users who form a habit may end up taking the drug just to feel normal. Those who start by smoking or snorting heroin sometimes switch to injection to maximise the high. Injecting can damage veins and lead to gangrene. Sharing needles or syringes puts users at risk of dangerous infections like hepatitis and HIV. Withdrawing from heroin can be very hard. Many people manage to kick the drug, but mentally it may take years to be free. Ketamine Special K, Vitamin K, K Know It Ketamine is an anaesthetic with painkilling and psychedelic properties. A very similar drug is used by vets when they operate on animals. Ketamine comes as tablets, or as a powder snorted up the nose. Ketamine is a prescription-only medicine. While possession isn t illegal without a prescription, supply is against the law and Class C penalties may apply. The effects Ketamine makes users feel that the mind has been separated from the body. This creates ot of body and hallucinatory experiences for up to 3 hours. Like LSD, the effects are influenced by the user s mood and environment. During this time, a user may be physically unable to move. As ketamine numbs the body, users risk serious injury without feeling pain. The effects can be very alarming if the user isn t expecting them. Excessive doses carry some risk of breathing problems and heart failure. Ketamine is VERY DANGEROUS when mixed with alcohol and other drugs. The long-term effects of recreational use of ketamine are still not really known. PAL PAGE 14 PAGE 15 PAL

9 LSD(ACID) Acid, trips, blotters, microdots, dots (chemical name: Lysergic acid diethylamide); LSD usually comes in tiny squares of paper, often with a picture on one side. The picture says nothing about the likely effects or strength of the drug. LSD is a Class A drug. LSD is an hallucinogenic drug. It has a powerful effect on the mind. The effects of LSD are known as a trip and can last as long as 8 to 12 hours. While a user is tripping they will experience their surroundings in a very different way. The effects depend on the user s mood, where they are and who they re with. Sense of movement and time may speed up or slow down. Objects, colour and sound may become distorted. Users experience trips differently every time. The risks Once the trip starts, there s no way of stopping it. A bad trip can be terrifying. Users may feel very threatened and can even forget that the drug is responsible. It s impossible to predict a bad trip, but it s more likely to happen if the user is feeling anxious, nervous or uncomfortable. Feeling paranoid or out of control can leave users shaken for a long time afterwards. Accidents may happen while users are hallucinating. Users may experience flashbacks, where parts of a trip are briefly re-lived some time after the event. LSD can complicate mental problems such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia. PAL PAGE 16 PAGE 17 PAL

10 Magic Mushrooms shrooms, mushies Several types of magic mushrooms grow wild in the UK. The main type is the Liberty Cap mushrooms (Psilocybe Semilanceata). There are also species that look similar to magic mushrooms but which are poisonous. Magic Mushrooms are eaten raw, dried, cooked in food or stewed into tea. While it isn t illegal to possess raw magic mushrooms it is an offence to possess any preparation of them (e.g. when they re dried or stewed). Magic mushrooms, when prepared, are Class A drugs. Magic mushrooms have a similar effect to LSD, but the trip is often milder and shorter. Magic mushrooms can make users fell very relaxed and spaced-out. The effects depend on the user s mood, where they are and who they re with. Magic mushrooms may cause hallucinations objects, colour and sound become distorted. A trip tends to last for about 4 hours. Magic mushrooms often cause stomach pains, sickness and diarrhoea. Eating the wrong kind of mushroom can also cause serious illness and even fatal poisoning. If users feel sick they should go straight to hospital with a sample of the mushroom and explain what s happened. Bad trips can happen and can be very frightening. Once the trip has started, there s no going back. Like any hallucinogen, magic mushrooms can complicate mental problems. Poppers (alkyl nitrites) Poppers is a term used for the group of chemicals known as alkyl nitrites. Alkyl nitrites include: Amul nitrite, butyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite. Trade names include: Ram, Thrust, Rock Hard, Kix, TNT, Liquid Gold. Know It Poppers come as a clear or straw-coloured liquid in a small bottle or tube. The vapour is breathed in through the mouth or nose. Over recent years, use of poppers has become more common in dance culture. Amyl nitrite is a prescription-only medicine. Possession is not illegal but supply can be an offence. Users get a very brief but intense head-rush. This is caused by a sudden surge of blood through the heart and brain. Blood vessels dilate (enlarge) resulting in a flushed face and neck. Some users say they experience the impression of time slowing down. The effects fade from 2 to 5 minutes after use. Can make some people fell faint and sick, especially when taken while dancing. Users often experience a headache afterwards. Regular use causes skin problems around the mouth and nose. Because the drug reduces blood pressure, taking alkyl nitrites is very dangerous for people with anaemia, glaucoma and breathing or heart problems. If spilled, poppers can burn skin. Poppers MAY BE FATAL IF SWALLOWED. PAL PAGE 18 PAGE 19 PAL

11 Speed (AMPHETAMINES) Speed, whizz, uppers, amph, billy, sulphate. Speed usually comes as a grey, white or dirty-white powder, or sometimes in tablets. It can be snorted, swallowed, injected or smoked. Speed is the most impure illegal drug in the UK. Amphetamines are Class B drugs (but carry Class A penalties if prepared for injection). Speed is a stimulant. It quickens the heart beat and breathing rate. Users may feel confident. Their minds race and they may feel energetic. It suppresses the appetite, but doesn t satisfy the body s need for nourishment. Some people also become tense and experience feelings of anxiety. The comedown (tiredness and depression) lasts for one or two days, and sometimes longer. Sleep, memory and concentration are all affected in the short-term High doses repeated over a few days may cause panic and hallucinations. Long-term users may become dependent on the buzz speed gives them. Tolerance can develop, which means the user needs more to get the same effect. Long-term use puts a strain on the heart. Overdose can be fatal. Use of speed can lead to mental illness such as psychosis. Tranquillisers Chemical names include: diazepam, temazepam (mazzies), natrazepam, ect. The trade names include: Valium, ativan, Mogadon (moggies), ect. Know It Tranquillisers are prescribed by GPs as a short-term treatment for anxiety, depression and sleep problems. They are misused by some people to counter the effects of stimulant drugs, or taken in combination with alcohol or heroin. Tranquillisers can be supplied lawfully only by a pharmacist to someone with a doctor s prescription. While possession isn t illegal without a prescription (except in the case of temazepam), supply is against the law and Class C penalties apply. Tranquillisers calm users and slow and them down mentally. They relieve tensions and anxiety. Higher doses can make users drowsy and forgetful. Tranquillisers slow down reactions, making accidents more likely. They are EXTREMELY DANGEROUS if mixed with alcohol. Tolerance can develop. Users can become dependent, especially if they rely on the drug to calm them or help them sleep. Users trying to quit may suffer panic attacks. Injecting crushed tablets or the contents of capsules is VERY DANGEROUS and can be lethal. PAL PAGE 20 PAGE 21 PAL

12 Tobacco Tobacco contains a drug called nicotine which is very addictive. It is illegal for shopkeepers to sell tobacco to under-18 s The effects Nicotine is a powerful and fast-acting drug. When smoke is inhaled, the nicotine effects hit the brain about 8 seconds later. Nicotine speeds up the heart rate and increases blood pressure. First-time users may feel sick. It is VERY EASY TO GET HOOKED. Most smokers wish they never started. Smoking is expensive. Ten cigarettes a day will cost upwards of 500 a year. Tobacco contains over 4000 chemicals, many of which are harmful to health. Smokers are more likely to suffer coughs and chest problems. A long-term tobacco habit can lead to cancer, emphysema and heart disease all of which can kill. Breathing in other people s smoke (passive smoking) can cause breathing difficulties, asthma and even cancer. Tobacco contributes to at least 2000 limb amputations and 111,000 premature deaths in the UK each year. PAL PAGE 22 PAGE 23 PAL

13 Plant based legal highs Some legal highs come from plants. They are cleverly marketed as being plant based natural highs - something more natural and therefore less harmful than other drugs, which may not be the case. These could also be treated with dangerous chemicals and can have potentially serious side effects. An example of a plant based legal high is salvia. Salvia is a plant containing psychoactive chemicals which produce hallucinations. The salvia leaf is chewed, smoked or taken as a tincture and sometimes sold as herbal ecstasy. Negative effects include poor coordination, dizziness and slurred speech. Throat and lung irritation, headaches and mild irritability have been reported after using salvia. There is some concern that salvia could trigger psychotic episodes, particularly in young people who may have an underlying susceptibility to mental health problems. Most harms resulting from the use of psychoactive drugs like salvia occur as a result of people injuring themselves when under the influence of the drug. Legal Highs* What is a legal high? A legal high is a drug (a substance taken to produce an altered state of mind) that is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act and is therefore legal to possess. However, legal high can be a misleading term because most of the substances are regulated by the Medicines Act, which makes it illegal to sell, supply or advertise them for human consumption. The substances are generally bought from head shops or from internet sites. Many suppliers use descriptions such as bath salts, incense or plant food. They claim these substances are not intended for human consumption as a way of getting around the drugs laws. Legal highs are sold under a variety of names, often with no ingredients listed on the packet, so it is very hard to know what you are taking. Possession is legal but selling, supplying or advertising it for human consumption is illegal. Synthetic drugs Other legal highs are known as designer or synthetic drugs. These are drugs created to get around the drug laws, usually by modifying the chemical structure of existing drugs or by creating a new drug that can produce effects similar to illicit drugs but which can be sold legally. More than 90 substances have been recorded since 1997 by the early-warning system set up to monitor and track the development and use of new drugs in Europe, and the picture is continually changing. What is a head shop? A head shop is a shop that sells drug paraphernalia, eg equipment (pipes and bongs) for smoking cannabis, as well as recreational drugs that are legal to sell (though not legal to sell for human consumption). These shops may also sell magazines and clothes designed to appeal to young people who identify with this subculture. While head shops may claim they are not selling these drugs for human consumption, they sell them alongside drug-taking paraphernalia, which suggests otherwise. There has been a recent increase in the number of head shops open in Northern Ireland. The internet also remains a popular place both to buy legal highs and to learn more about the effects and how to take them. PAL PAGE 24 PAGE 25 PAL

14 Are people in Northern Ireland taking legal highs? Professionals working in the area of alcohol and drugs in the community report that many young adults in Northern Ireland are taking legal highs, and that some young people of postprimary school age are also taking these drugs. Are legal highs safe? No, just because a substance is legal doesn t mean that it is safe. Drugs intended for human consumption must be regulated under the Medicines Act, and therefore undergo rigorous testing to determine how they can be used safely. Most legal highs are illegal to sell, supply or advertise for human consumption because of their effects on the body. However, because producers of synthetic drugs claim these products are not intended for human consumption, they can be sold unregulated. This means that when you put the drug into your body, you are taking a real risk with your health. How do legal highs affect the body? Because these drugs are so new, very little is known about them. There is some information on the short term effects which users report on websites. Some of the negative effects seem to be nose bleeds, heart palpitations, limbs turning blue, or changes in behaviour or personality. Some of these drugs are stimulants and therefore carry similar risks to those associated with cocaine or ecstasy, including heart problems and fits or seizures. Because the production of these drugs is not regulated, what is sold under a given name one week may turn out to have a different chemical make-up the next week, so the effects on the body are unpredictable. Another concern is that people who use legal highs are likely to be mixing them with alcohol, illicit drugs or prescription drugs, and we just don t know the effects on the body of mixing these substances. *Taken from the Public Health Agency website PAL PAGE 26 PAGE 27 PAL

15 PAL PAGE 28