Anti Social Behaviour, distraction burglay, street crime

domestic violence, domestic burglary, drug and alcohol abuse

Young People and Drugs - Part 4

Drugs Identification - continued

Heroin
Heroin is a painkilling drug made from the opium poppy.
Opiate drugs, such as heroin are addictive and habit-forming. Anyone who uses heroin regularly may experience tolerance: a need for large doses to get the same effect.
withdrawal symptoms: running nose, sweats, chills and cramps.
a powerful psychological craving for the drug.

How is it used?

Heroin can be sniffed, smoked or injected.
The effects are the same, but each method has different risks.
Smoking is safer than sniffing. It enters the body gradually, so the dose can be more easily controlled.
Injecting is the most risky method of taking heroin.

Addiction to heroin brings about a lifestyle which is almost certainly crime orientated. Users often find themselves having to commit crime to fund their heroin habit.
Repeated injections damage the veins, leading to thrombosis and abscesses.
Sharing syringes can cause hepatitis and HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS.
Heroin addicts are generally unwell people. Some may demonstrate signs of depression and uneasiness.

Heroin is against the law

Heroin is a Class A controlled drug and sentences range from fines for possession, and up to life imprisonment and unlimited fines for supply.

LSD - Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

How is it used?

LSD is a psychedelic drug sold on the black market in the form of small squares of blotting paper, cut into 5mm squares with printed images on them. The images are often changed to coincide with current trends in teenage culture.

LSD is taken orally and a dose is referred to as a "trip." While experiencing the "trip" users will see colours appearing to be sharper and moving objects leaving traces behind them. Time slows almost to a standstill and users will feel they are in another world.

What are the drawbacks?

LSD can trigger mental problems and produce delusions, paranoia and schizophrenia-like states. Users can experience a change in their personality and panic attacks, which can last for several months. LSD can impair judgement and users should never drive while under the influence.

LSD is against the law

LSD is a Class A controlled drug and sentences range from fines and imprisonment for possession and up to life imprisonment and unlimited fines for supply.

Young People and Drugs explanation and identification Part 5