Anti Social Behaviour, distraction burglay, street crime

domestic violence, domestic burglary, drug and alcohol abuse

Young People and Drugs

What to do if you discover someone close to you is using drugs
Don't panic! An over-reaction could do more harm than good. A calm approach is best.

Make sure you know the facts about the different drugs around today. You'll then be in a position to talk sensibly with the person without losing credibility.
Find out which drugs they are using, how often are they using them, what are the effects they are experiencing, how much are they spending. It is important to gather this information because you need to form an understanding of how deeply they are involved and how much control they have over their drug use.

Share your concerns. There are many telephone help-lines available, some of which are free, where trained and knowledgeable people will listen and support you.

Remember not to blame yourself. Illegal drug use is more common today with recent surveys claiming that as many as 50 per cent of 16 year olds having tried drugs. The majority will come to no harm and grow out of it. We might not like it, and it is illegal, but for many young people drugs are sadly seen as part of growing up and are cheap, acceptable and easily available.

So how can we prevent it?
Despite rigorous law enforcement initiatives we are never going to prevent it all, particularly while drugs are available and so much money is to be made from selling them. But the following advice should provide help and encouragement for adults tackling drug issues with young people.

Discuss the facts about the various substances - good and bad. People use drugs because they like the effects, but make sure they know the risks - physical, social and psychological.

Try to be open when talking to the person. If you can remain non-judgmental they are more likely to come and talk to you when they need help and advice.

Talk to young people from an early age about how to cope with everyday problems. People who use drugs habitually or lapse back into drug taking often use them as a way of blocking out problems in the short term.

Try at every opportunity to increase the person's self-esteem. People who feel good about themselves don't take unnecessary risks with their health on a regular basis.
There is research evidence that indicates young people who have high self esteem, disposable finance, high education achievement and good prospects choose drug use - especially stimulants as a positive enhancement to their lives.

Drug Facts
What are the signs...? What are the uses...?

Fiction often gets in the way of facts when people think start talking about drugs. The following section has been designed to provide factual, accurate information on drugs.

By providing this information we are not encouraging or promoting drugs - the facts speak for themselves.

Amphetamine
Nicknames for Amphetamine include Whizz, Speed, Uppers and Billy.

Cannabis
Nicknames for cannabis include Dope, Weed, Wacky-Backy, Blow, Hash, Pot, Draw and Skunkweed; the cigarettes containing cannabis are referred to as joints, spliffs, reefers and roach ends.

Cocaine and Crack
Cocaine Hydrochloride is known as Charlie, Coke, Snow and Crack Cocaine is known as Rocks, Freebase and Stories.

Ecstasy
Nicknames for Ecstasy include E's, New Yorkers, White Doves, Disco Burgers, Love Doves and Dennis the Menace.

Heroin
Nicknames for heroin include Smack, H, Gear and Brown.

LSD
Also known as Acid, Strawbs, Domes, Flats, Barrels and Trips.

Magic Mushrooms
Also known as Mushies or Shrooms.

Nitrites (poppers)
Bottles carry the brand names Rush, Stud, Locker Room, Liquid Gold, TNT and Ram.

Solvents
Solvent abuse or Volatile Substance Abuse involves gas, butane, aerosols and nail varnish remover.

Steroids
Commonly used names are Anavar, Sustanon, Dionabot, Durabolin and Decanobol.

Young People and Drugs - Part 2