get educated

drug
information

drugs and
the law

what to do...

Up:

Just enough drinks can make you feel relaxed and less inhibited

Down:

Alcohol is actually a powerful drug that depresses your nervous system too much and it’s all over.

The Law:

There are different laws that apply to different ages:
It is illegal to given a child under 5 alcohol (unless it is under certain circumstances such as under medical supervision).
16 & 17 year olds are able to drink in a pub/bar as long as it is not spirits (i.e. beer/ cider) and is with a meal.
It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone less than 18 years of age or to buy alcohol for someone who is under 18.
It is legal to buy alcohol if you are over 18 .

Up:

Effects vary, but most people who take Cannabis feel relaxed and happy

Down:

Another common effect is to feel anxious and paranoid. It can make you less motivated to do things and decrease your short term memory

The Law:

Cannabis is a Class C drug and is still illegal. Getting caught can lead to a fine, criminal record or even prison

Up:

Cocaine tends to make you feel exhilarated and confident. It is usually snorted up the nose

Down:

The effects of Cocaine are short-lived; afterwards people tend to experience big lows. Cocaine is expensive and can be highly addictive

The Law:

Cocaine is a Class A drug. This means that it is illegal to possess, illegal to give and illegal to sell. Possession of cocaine can get you up to 7 years in jail. If you supply someone else with cocaine you can get a life sentence as well as an unlimited fine.

Up:

Crack is cocaine baked into a rock and it normally smoked. Users experience a rapid intense high

Down:

The high is very short lived and is followed by a crash or low. Crack is a very dangerous, highly addictive drug

The Law:

Cocaine and crack are Class A drugs. This means that they are illegal to possess, illegal to give and illegal to sell. Possession of cocaine/crack can get you up to 7 years in jail. If you supply someone else with cocaine/crack you can get a life sentence as well as an unlimited fine.

Up:

Ecstasy is sold as a pill or capsule. It stimulates the mind and can make people feel warm and sociable.

Down:

Dancing and ‘E’ heat you up and it’s easy to become so dehydrated you overheat and even collapse. Like other stimulant drugs there is a low once the high has worn off

The Law:

Ecstasy is a Class A drug. This means it is illegal to possess, illegal to give and illegal to sell.  Possession of Ecstasy can get you up to 7 years in jail. If you supply someone else with Ecstasy you can get a life sentence and an unlimited fine.

Up:

A small capful can make you feel happy, sensual and it can also lower your inhibitions. As more is taken it acts like a sedative and can make you feel sleepy.

Down:

Too much and it can leave you feeling disorientated and sick. It can also affect your mobility and can cause a fit or seizure.

The Law:

GHB is a Class C drug. This means that it is illegal to possess, illegal to give and illegal to sell GHB. Possession of GHB can get you up to 2 years in jail. If you supply someone else with GHB can get you up to fourteen years in jail.

Up:

Smoked, swallowed, sniffed or injected, heroin is the strongest painkiller around, making you feel safe, warm and contented

Down:

You can overdose or become addicted to heroin no matter how you take it. If it is taken with alcohol or other painkillers, you may fall unconscious, throw up, or even stop breathing

The Law:

Heroin is a Class A drug. This means that it is illegal to possess, illegal to give and illegal to sell. Possession of heroin can get you up to 7 years in jail.  If you supply it to someone else you can a life sentence as well as an unlimited fine.

Up:

Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic that alters your perception of things. Some people report that is causes an out of body feeling.

Down:

Ketamine is very dangerous when mixed with other drugs

The Law:

Ketamine is now a class C drug. This means is it illegal to possess Ketamine, and it is illegal to supply it. Possessing Ketamine can get you 2 years in prison as well as an unlimited fine.

Up:

Khat is a stimulant and chewing it can make people feel more alert and talkative.

Down:

If you use it a lot, you may develop insomnia, heart problems and sexual problems like impotence
It can give you feelings of anxiety and aggression.
It can make pre-existing mental health problems worse

The Law:

Khat is not an illegal drug in the UK, but it is illegal in many other countries such as the US.

Up:

Acid distorts your experience of the world. This is known as a trip and these trips can be good or bad. A good trip can be a lot of fun.

Down:

A bad trip is your worst nightmare come to life.
Flashbacks sometimes happen. This is when part of the trip is re-lived way after the trip was taken

The Law:

LSD is a Class A drug. This means that it is illegal to possess LSD, illegal to give and illegal to sell it. Possession of LSD can get you up to 7 years in jail. If you supply someone else with LSD you can get a life sentence as well as an unlimited fine.

Up:

Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that can cause hallucinations sometimes these can be enjoyable. But you have little control over how they will effect you.

Down:

Bad trips or hallucinations can be incredibly frightening and upsetting.
Eating the wrong type of mushroom can make you very ill and even kill you.

The Law:

Since 2005, the law surrounding magic mushrooms has changed. This means that both fresh and prepared (i.e. dried) magic mushrooms are illegal and classified as a Class A drug.
If you possess magic mushrooms you can get 7 years in jail, if you supply someone else with magic mushrooms you can get a life sentence and an unlimited fine.

Up:

When inhaled, solvents have a similar effect to alcohol. They make people feel uninhibited, euphoric and dizzy.

Down:

At best, you risk nausea, vomiting and blackouts.
At worst, you risk fatal heart problems which have been known to kill users the very first time they sniff.

The Law:

Solvent misuse isn't illegal, but it is illegal for shop keepers to sell solvents if they think that you are buying them to abuse.
However, it is an offence to supply gas lighter refills to anyone under 18 years of age.

Up:

Can make you feel energetic, talkative and keep you awake longer

Down:

The high of speed is followed by a long crash, making you feel tired, irritable and probably unable to sleep

Speed puts a strain on your heart. It's bad news for people with high blood pressure or a heart condition. An overdose can be fatal

The Law:

Speed is a Class B drug. This means that it is illegal to possess speed, illegal to give and illegal to sell it.
Possession of Speed can get you up to five years in jail. If you supply Speed to someone else you can get up to 14 years in jail and an unlimited fine.

Up:

Steroids can be bought as tablets which are swallowed, or as liquid which is injected. They are often used by athletes or body builders as they help build muscle, allow you to train harder, enhance performance and help you recover faster from injury.

Down:

If you're young, abuse of anabolic steroids can stop you growing properly.
If you are male, you can become impotent, develop breasts and you testicles may shrink. If you are female, you may develop facial hair, a deepened voice and experience changes in your menstrual cycle.  Both male and females may experience mood swings, acne and organ damage.
Injecting any drug can cause vein damage, ulcers and gangrene. Dirty or shared needles and other injecting works can help the spread of HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

The Law:

Anabolic steroids are Class C drugs and can only be sold by pharmacists with a doctor's prescription.
If you possess or import any steroids with the intention to supply, it becomes illegal. This means you could get 14 years in jail as well as an unlimited fine.

Up:

Poppers are sniffed from small bottles which have been filled with amyl nitrate (a liquid chemical). Once sniffed, poppers produce a short high which can leave the user feeling, light headed and giddy, it can also heighten sensual awareness.

Down:

Poppers can give you terrible headaches as well as making you feel dizzy and nauseous. Poppers are also very dangerous to users who have a chest or heart condition or are anaemic. They are also dangerous if taken with stimulants such as speed, cocaine and ecstasy. They are also very flammable and can burn the skin.
Swallowing the liquid can kill.

The Law:

Amyl nitrate used to be used in medicine such as for the treatment of angina- but it is now rarely used in medicine, and is now controlled under the Medicines Act. Possession is not illegal but supply of poppers can be an offence.