Drugs – know the score

A drug is a chemical that can change the physical function of your body, or something that can alter your moods, thinking and behaviour.

Think everyone takes drugs?

Most people don’t. And many talk up what they’ve really done.

Common drugs & their affects

Alcohol

Anabolic steroids aka steriods, roids (Class C)

Tablet or liquid that is injected
Build muscles but can make you aggressive
Blokes – can cause erection problems, man-boobs, acne, shrunken testicles
Girls – can cause facial hair, deep voice, smaller boobs

Cannabis aka Bhang, black, blow, dope, draw, ganja, gear, grass, hash, herb, marijuana, resin, skunk, spliff and weed (Class B)

Available as hash – blacky-brown lump made from resin, grass/weed – the dried chopped leaves or skunk – extra strong herbal cannabis
Usually mixed with tobacco and smoked as a spliff or joint or made into hash cakes
Makes you feel happy and relaxed
Can make you throw up (green-out) especially if you have been drinking
Can make you paranoid and long-term use can affect your memory, concentration and energy levels

Cocaine aka charlie, coke, dust, percy, toot and white (Class A)

Usually a white powder cut into lines to snort but can also be smoked or made into a liquid and injected
Makes you feel wide awake, cool and confident – an ego boost
The high is short and it is really addictive – an expensive habit.
Can destroy your nose, stop your breathing, cause a fit or even a heart attack

Ecstasy aka E, MDMA, pills (Class A)

Usually comes in tablet form
Gives you loads of energy, emotions feel more intense – you might feel like you love everyone around you
Can cause anxiety & panic attacks
Makes your heart beat faster, raises your temperature and can cause death

Heroin aka Brown, H, junk, skag (Class A)

Powder varying in colour from dark brown to off-white
Can be smoked, snorted, dissolved in water and injected or heated and inhaled
Slows your body down and stops pain
Most people get a big rush or buzz which makes them feel good
Very addictive and your body quickly gets used to it
Severe withdrawal symptoms –dizzy, vomiting
Can cause coma and death if taken in large doses or mixed with other drugs

LSD aka Acid, flash, lucy, smilies, tab, trips (Class A)

Look like tiny squares of paper called ‘tabs’ usually with pictures on them
A trip makes you hallucinate (see or hear things that aren’t there)
You can have a bad trip which is scary and may cause you to harm yourself

Magic Mushrooms aka liberties, mushies, shrooms (Class A)

Skinny mushrooms which are sold raw or dried
A trip causes hallucination and makes people feel giggly and confident
Can cause dizziness, vomiting and diarrhoea
Bad trips can be terrifying

Solvents – gases, glues & aerosols

Examples - gas lighter refills, cans of hairspray, air freshener, glue, nail varnish
Makes you feel dizzy and bit like being drunk you lose your inhibitions
Can lead to coma, heart problems and kill you instantly

Speed aka base, meth, whizz (Class B)

Off-white or pink powder, sometimes looks like small crystals
Speed is dabbed on the gums or sniffed in lines
Can also be rolled up in cigarette paper and swallowed (speedbomb)
Makes you feel wide awake, excited, chatty, full of energy and stops you feeling hungry
Puts a strain on your heart and if mixed with anti-depressants or alcohol it can be fatal
Can make you low, irritable, aggressive and damage your nose

All drugs are illegal, so police will take action if they catch you with them.

Drugs & Sex

Many people take drugs because they want to feel more confident and relaxed. But combining drugs and sex may lead you to take risks and lose control of situations you may find yourself in.

You are more likely to:

Have unprotected sex putting you at risk of STIs
Have an unwanted pregnancy
Have sex with someone you don't want to
Have sex you did not consent to
Not be able to remember the sex you had.

Drug-driving

You know that drink-driving is illegal. What you might not know is that drug-driving is illegal too. You need co-ordination, anticipation, concentration and good judgment to drive safely – all of these go out the window when you are on drugs.

Warning signs of drug addiction

Losing interest in what you used to enjoy
Things aren’t going so well at home
Not being able to concentrate
Skipping school, college or work
Not caring how you look
Feeling depressed
Feeling jittery
Becoming a drug bore
Losing touch with true friends
Only going out somewhere if there’s the chance you will score some drugs

Knock-on effects

Drugs not only impact your physical and emotional health, but they also affect relationships with your friends and family and take a toll on your education and finances.

Drug support in North East Essex & useful links

If you need support, please contact Essex Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service (EYPDAS) on 01245 493311. Alternatively, drop into their Young People’s Centre at 114 Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex.

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