Drugs

This section is not designed to take a moralistic view of drugs; we accept that drug use is a personal choice. However, we feel that if you are going to use drugs, you should know as much as possible about them. Therefore, this section is simply designed to tell you the effects of certain drugs, as well as the legal implications of taking those drugs.

DRUGS AND THE EFFECTS

A drug is any substance which alters the normal functioning of the body. Drugs today are widely available and more people are trying them. It's very difficult to explain exactly how drugs work and that is why many people are happy to believe that drugs are automatically equated with addiction, or indeed, death. This is clearly untrue, but saying that drugs are harmless is equally untrue. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. The experience is affected by the dosage, your mood, the people around you and the place where you take them.

THE DRUGS:

STIMULANTS: Accelerate the central nervous system, decrease appetite and temporarily reduce the desire to sleep.

PSYCHEDELIC: Alter the way the user perceives the world. They can muddle up messages sent from the brain, often making familiar objects appear distorted and stationary objects appear to move.

DEPRESSANTS: Also known as 'downers', these lower the nervous system activity and induce feeling of relaxation, detachment and sometimes euphoria.

THE LAW:

Some drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco, are freely available, but the use or possession of others is restricted by law. There is a three tier classification of drugs and the penalty for the possession of drugs depends on which class it is in.

Class A: Up to 7 years imprisonment and/or unlimited fine (incl. Cocaine, Crack, Ecstasy, Heroin, Morphine, Opium, LSD (ACID), Magic Mushrooms if prepared for use, Temazepam).

Class B: Up to 5 years imprisonment and/or unlimited fine (incl. Amphetamines, Barbiturates). Any class B drug prepared for injection counts as class A.

Class C: Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or unlimited fine. (incl. Benzodiazepine, Cannabis, and Tranquillisers). It is thought that up to 90% of all drugs offences are for possession, usually of cannabis.

SAFER DRUG TAKING

Here is some useful advice which can help reduce risks associated with drugs:-

• No drugs, legal or illegal, are totally without side effects. Make sure you are aware of these before you take any drugs.
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• Reduce risks by taking less.
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• Never mix a drug with other drugs, including alcohol.
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• Be aware that the colour, shape or size of a tablet says nothing about its real contents; its an experiment in the unknown.
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• It's dangerous to top-up if it appears that a drug isn't working - it can take up to 1 hour or more to feel the effects.
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• Avoid taking drugs by yourself. Having pals around can reduce the risk of having a bad time and it means that there is someone there who can help if something goes wrong.
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• Remember not to drive after taking drugs.
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  If you have any queries about drugs in any capacity then drop in to the Welfare Department to chat about these concerns. All discussions are confidential. For further advice you can also contact the National Drugs Helpline (24 hours, free) -0800 77 66 00 (advice, information and telephone counselling).