PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AL 1
This handbook has been published by The Social Care Training Hub as part of its Training and Development Program for carers who work with vulnerable young people. The program which you have completed has been designed to assist carers with relevant and practical training practices which can be implemented into carers and young people lives. This guide only covers the essential points of good practice when working with children and young people. This handout provides more detailed information which you can download and review in your own time this way you can reflect and remind yourself of the key messages you have learnt. 2
Content What are Psychoactive Substances 4 How Psychoactive Substances affect your health 4 Four Categories of New Psychoactive Substances 4 Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 5 6 The Myths 6 How is it taken? 6 Risks - Short and long term 6 7 There is no reason to assume Psychoactive Substances are safe to use 8 How can I say no? 8 3
What are Psychoactive Substances? Cherry Bomb, Meow Meow and Rockstars are just some of the street names for Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) or Psychoactive Substances. These drugs are deliberately designed using ingredients (chemicals) which replicate the effects of illegal substances such as cannabis or cocaine. But they differ from class A drugs so that some of them aren t currently classified as illegal. NPS are sold online and on the high street, sometimes in places called Headshops which sell drug paraphernalia. Wrapped in brightly coloured packaging, NPS are branded under a variety of names which could be slang like Benzo fury or their chemical name such as MDAT. The danger is you never know what you re buying with NPS as the contents could change on a weekly basis and so you can t predict what the impact will be. How Psychoactive Substances affect your health? Because Psychoactive Substances are often new, there s been little or no research into their short and long-term impacts so the risks are unpredictable. And there s increasing evidence they re not harmless. The contents of NPS packets are not consistent. So it s impossible to predict a safe dose when you don t know for sure exactly what you re taking and how it s going to affect you. Just because you were ok last time does not mean you ll be ok next time - it may not be the same strength or compound this time around. Please remember that these drugs can be a lot more dangerous when mixed with other substances and alcohol. People who use them have reported side-effects such as headaches, nausea, palpitations and anxiety. Negative experiences include drowsiness and users of mephedrone for example have reported blue or cold fingers, probably because the drug affects the heart and circulation. Some deaths have been linked with people taking a cocktail of drink and drugs. The chemicals that are in NPS can make you feel anxious, paranoid or make you hallucinate. Your mental health can suffer too as studies in Manchester have demonstrated. As many as 97 deaths were associated with the use of Psychoactive Substances in 2012. This is according to research by independent think-tank The Centre for Social Justice. Four Categories of New Psychoactive Substances Stimulants: These mimic substances such as amphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy. They include mephedrone or Meow Meow which is a white powder derived from a plant called khat. Mephedrone triggers feelings ranging from euphoria to paranoia. Downers: these mimic tranquiliser or anti-anxiety drugs especially those from the benzodiazepine family known as benzos. They include Etizolam which can make you feel relaxed and calm but is also highly addictive. Hallucinogenics: these mimic substances like LSD/Dissociatives. They include methoxetamine or mexxy - which makes you feel detached from the rest of the world (Dissociatives) including Ketamine which can cause damage to your bladder. The downside is it can make you hallucinate and lose awareness of your surroundings, or even lose consciousness, which can leave you in a vulnerable state. Synthetic cannabis (cannabinoids): these act on the brain in a similar way to the part of cannabis called THC which gives you a high. They re traded under names including Clockwork Orange, Black Mamba and Spice. Taking these may make you may feel giggly and talkative- or ill and paranoid. These can be much stronger than THC and can result in anxiety, seizures, heart attack, convulsions and death. Instances of serious self-mutilation while using synthetic cannabinoids have been reported. Substances can be presented as dried plant material sprayed with chemicals such as the JWH family of research chemicals, originating from investigations into Multiple Sclerosis, HIV/AIDS and Chemotherapy. 4
Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 What is it? The Psychoactive Substances Act will came into force on the 26 th May 2016. The Act will make it an offence to produce, supply or offer to supply any psychoactive substance if the substance is likely to be used for its psychoactive effects and regardless of its potential for harm. The only exemption from the Act are those substances already controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act, nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and medicinal products. The main intention of the Act is to shut down shops and websites that currently trade in Psychoactive Substances. Put simply any substance will be illegal to produce or supply if it is likely to be used to get high. Existing laws: The Act doesn t replace the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) so laws around existing illegal (controlled) drugs will remain the same. Temporary Class Drug Orders (TCDOs) can still be applied and the Human Medicines Regulations (2012) will remain the same. However the Intoxicating Substances Supply Act (1985)* will be scrapped. At present a substance causing concern must be reviewed by the ACMD (the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs) to assess any potential harm. The ACMD then advise the government on a course of action. The government do not have to take this advice, but are bound to consult the ACMD first. The ACMD will still have a role and a new or emerging psychoactive substance can still be brought under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but this Act was introduced without consulting the ACMD and will fundamentally change drug legislation. Offences under the Psychoactive Substances Act would be considered aggravated if they involved supply to under 18s, were near a school or a children s home (Local authority children s homes etc). Powers of stop and search: Police will have powers of stopping and searching individuals and premises, however possession of psychoactive substances will not be an offence and which substances are actually psychoactive is far from legally clear at present.3 Currently the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidance states that a legal high should be treated like a controlled drug until proven otherwise Premises and Prohibition notices: Within the Act there are quite detailed powers given to the police and local authorities for dealing with the licensees (owners etc.) of shops and UK-based websites, and penalties for failure to comply with notices issued under this section of the Act. Definition of psychoactive: Quite what constitutes a psychoactive substance is one of the most contentious issues in the Act, which defines it as: any substance which (a) is capable of producing a psychoactive effect in a person who consumes it, and (b) is not an exempted substance. The 5
government are confident that a psychoactive substance can be defined, tested simply and cost effectively and subsequently proven in court. Exemptions: Nicotine, alcohol and caffeine will be exempt from being classed as psychoactive substances. Medicinal products as defined by the Human Medicines Regulations (2012) and drugs already controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971), will also be exempt. Further exemptions can be made by the Secretary of State after consultation with the ACMD. The Myths That Psychoactive Substances aren t as potent as other drugs They can actually be more potent than cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy. That they re safe The chemicals NPS contain have often never been used in drugs for human consumption before. So no one has tested them to show they re safe. How is it taken? Psychoactive Substances tend to be snorted or swallowed, but there have been reports of some people injecting Psychoactive Substances. Effects Because Psychoactive Substances include lots of different substances and what s in them can change, often the immediate effects can vary. There is the possibility of accidental overdosing as the strength of some substances is unknown. The main effects and risks of almost all psychoactive drugs, including Psychoactive Substances, can be described using three main categories: stimulants downers or sedatives psychedelics or hallucinogens. Whilst drugs in each of the categories will have similarities in the kinds of effects they produce, they will have widely different strengths. Stimulant Psychoactive Substances act like amphetamines ( speed ), cocaine, or ecstasy, in that they can make you feel energised, physically active, fast-thinking, very chatty and euphoric. Downer or sedative Psychoactive Substances act similar to benzodiazepines (drugs like diazepam or Valium), and like cannabis or GHB/GBL, in that they can make you feel euphoric, relaxed or sleepy and reduce inhibitions and concentration, making you feel forgetful, and can slow down your reactions. Psychedelic or hallucinogenic Psychoactive Substances act like LSD, magic mushrooms and ketamine. They create altered perceptions and can make you hallucinate (seeing and/or hearing things that aren t there). They can also induce feelings of euphoria, warmth, enlightenment and being detached from the world around 6
Risks - Short and long term: One of the difficulties around Psychoactive Substances is that we can t say for certain what s in the product. Even when we can, the chemical may not have been used for human consumption before and its short or long term effects are likely to be unknown. There has been very little research into the short, medium and long term risks of the various legal highs. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that they are far from harmless and can have similar health risks to drugs like cocaine, ecstasy and speed. Risks of Psychoactive Substances include reduced inhibitions, drowsiness, excited or paranoid states, psychosis, hallucinations, coma and seizures. Many Psychoactive Substances have been directly linked to emergency hospital admissions and, in some cases, deaths Psychoactive Substances can have very different effects on users and risks and side effects are increased if used with alcohol or other drugs. One type of substance can also be much stronger than another (ten times stronger in some cases) and this has often led to accidental overdosing. Stimulant Psychoactive Substances can make you overconfident and disinhibited, and can induce feelings of anxiety, panic, confusion, paranoia and can even cause psychosis. They can put a strain on your heart and nervous system. They may give your immune system a battering so you might get more colds, flu and sore throats. You may feel quite low for a while after stopping using them. Downers can make you feel lethargic, or forgetful, and can make you physically unsteady and at risk of accidents. They may cause unconsciousness, coma and death, particularly when mixed with alcohol and/or with other downer drugs. Some people feel very anxious soon after they stop taking downers, and if a severe withdrawal syndrome develops in a heavy drug users, it can be particularly dangerous and may need medical treatment. Psychedelic or hallucinogenic Psychoactive Substances can make you hallucinate. Some strong hallucinatory reactions ( bad trips ) can lead to the person acting erratically, sometimes without regard to their safety. Some psychedelic drugs create strong dissociative effects, which make you feel like your mind and body are separated. Both of which can interfere with your judgement, which could put you at risk of acting carelessly, dangerously, or hurting yourself, particularly in an unsafe environment. Injecting Psychoactive Substances Injecting any drug, including Psychoactive Substances and sharing the equipment used for injecting, such as needles or syringes runs the risk of the person injecting catching or spreading a virus, such as HIV or hepatitis C. There is also the risk that veins may be damaged and that an abscess or blood clot may develop, which can cause further health problems, like infections and heart problems, possibly even a heart attack. Most stimulant and sedative drugs used recreationally have turned out to be addictive to some degree. Hence, regular use of Psychoactive Substances, particularly those with sedative or stimulant effects, might lead to a compulsion to use (and even a risk of withdrawal symptoms on stopping). Some people feel very anxious soon after they stop taking downer type drugs and, if a severe withdrawal syndrome develops in a heavy drug user, it can be particularly dangerous and they may need medical treatment. Many people in Scotland have been treated for the negative side effects of these drugs in the past year and advice from experts, users and professionals alike is to take care, think through your decision and make an informed choice about your health. 7
There is no reason to assume Psychoactive Substances are safe to use. The safest thing to do is to not take Psychoactive Substances at all, but if you do take them, here are some ways to reduce the risks: 1. Avoid mixing Psychoactive Substances with other drugs, especially alcohol. Using substances together increases the risk of losing control, having a bad time or putting your health at risk. 2. Make sure you are with friends you trust to look after you in case of problems. 3. If you are going to use, only take a small amount. This should reduce the risk of you having a bad reaction and ruining your night out. 4. Try to avoid using Psychoactive Substances in an unsafe environment as it can be hard for you to stay in control. 5. If you are worried that you are having a bad reaction to a Psychoactive Substances, seek emergency help. Don t delay. Get to A&E or call an ambulance. How can I say no? 1. Peer pressure can have the biggest impact on young people s decisions to take drugs and take risks. Here are a few suggestions on how to stay cool with your friends and not take drugs: 2. Be selective - Choose your friends carefully; hang around with people you have something in common with that isn t about taking drugs. If they re pressuring you to do something that just doesn t feel right for you then they re not the right friends for you. Keep in mind that most people pushing you to take drugs will already be taking them themselves and they ll only tell you the good side of what they re doing and not give you the real facts. 3. Respect - It might be hard to actually say no but your self-esteem will improve if you stick to what instinctively you know is right, if your friends are genuine then they will respect you for it. Even if you don t agree with some choices your friends make, if you respect their choice then there s more chance that they ll respect yours and they ll not try and pressure you into doing stuff you don t want to 4. Do something about it - There are times when you might feel able to stand up for someone else and it might help you feel stronger about your own decision. 5. Distraction - Suggest doing something else, a game of footie, X-box or chill out with a movie. If your mates are under the influence of drugs they might not realise just how forceful they re being, but it might also make it easier for you to pretend to pop to the toilet then leave instead, or just fake that you re taking something. 6. Temptation - Sometimes the biggest pressure can come from ourselves, maybe stuff is going on at home or you have exams, changing school, starting university or a new job and you think that taking drugs will help you feel better and you ll be more able to cope or more confident; the problem is that once you come down from your high things can often feel even worse than before so it really isn t worth it. 8
Thank you and congratulations on completing your training, this is one of many steps you will take in your journey to becoming a successful carer. We hope you have found this handbook useful, please remember you can refer to this handbook anytime to help, guide and maintain your knowledge. To discover what other courses we offer please visit us at www.thesocialcaretraininghub.co.uk 9