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Drugs

There are many stories and ‘beliefs’ about drugs, of which some are true and others not true. These lead to confusion and misinformation about drugs. Here the factsheet will clarify some information about drugs, and will only introduce each drug briefly. If you want more information, please contact drugs organizations or look up reliable drugs websites on the Internet.
Illegal drugs are used by people of all ages, but mostly by young people. People take drugs for different reasons:

Some may want to ‘try’ and see if the effects are the same as what other people describe when they take drugs themselves.
They may want to know how they will feel after taking drugs. Other people may take drugs to make them relax and feel happy.
Some may take drugs because their friends use or offer them.

This, however, becomes a problem when people take drugs just to feel ‘normal’. This is when things may get serious and may affect their health and relationships both with family and friends. Police may get involved.

Different drugs affect people differently. Effects also depend on how ‘pure’ and how strong the drug is, and how much of the drug is taken. The effects also depend on where the drugs are taken as the atmosphere will affect how the person feels.

People who regularly take drugs will see their ‘tolerance’ level go up. This means these people will take more and more of the drug to get the same feelings they felt the first time they took this drug. This is because the body gets used to the drug so the body will require more of the drug to get the same feelings.

There are 2 types of drug ‘dependence’:

Physical – the person continues to take drugs to avoid the physical discomfort of drug withdrawal. Some people feel ‘bad’ when drug or alcohol use is stopped, for example - stomach pains, sweating more than usual, sleeping problems and getting worried much more easily.
Psychological – the person feels he/she cannot carry on as normal without the drugs. They feel they will not cope with the drug, and may get panic attacks and may worry more than normal.

Many different types of drugs are sold on the street. Caught in possession with any of the classes of drugs, with or without’ intent to supply’, will almost certainly lead to a fine and/or a stay in prison.