Who uses drugs?
Socially acceptable drugs vary between cultures however all have the potential for harm if misused. In Australia, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and medications are the drugs people use most frequently.

Some older adolescents and young adults experiment with cannabis. A smaller percent of the population use other illicit substances such as amphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, cocaine and LSD. The most widely used drugs causing the greatest amount of drug-related harm in our community are the legal drugs - alcohol and tobacco.

Why do young people use drugs? Young people use drugs for many of the same reasons as adults, including: to socialise as a form of escapism to celebrate and commiserate out of curiosity relieve boredom and stress for diseases and illness Parents, older brothers and sisters and the media can also have some influence over a young person's decision to use drugs.

How are drugs made?
They are made from simple molecules and many complicated processes are involved. Each step causes impurities which are by-products of the manufacturing process. If these impurities are not removed at each step the resulting drug is contaminated. Drugs that are on sale at your local chemist have had the majority of impurities removed (by skilled staff using very well equipped laboratories) before they are made legally available for your consumption. On the other hand, street drugs contain more impurities because they are often made by backyard operators who don't have the time or expensive equipment required to remove impurities. To add to the dilemma, dealers also add bulking agents, like sugars, talc & starch or adulterants (for example caffeine which is passed off as speed) to stretch the deal further. Using such drugs is a risk because of these mixes. The best way is not to use drugs at all.

EFFECTS OF DRUGS

The effects of a drug will vary from person to person depending on three things:

1. Individual (user) - for example: Mood, physical size, personality, expectations of the drug, gender, previous experience with the drug, weight, whether the person has food in his/her stomach, whether other drugs have been taken, and health.
2. Drug - for example: The amount used, the strength of the drug and how it is used.
3. Setting (environment) - for example: Whether the person using is with trusted friends, on his/her own, in a social setting or at home.

Drug-related health problems
All drugs can cause harm, and many can cause death.

Play safe - don't use illicit drugs at all!

The risks associated with drug-use can be reduced by having the correct information so that informed decisions can be made.

There are many health problems related to drug-use, which can be categorised as long and short-term effects. Drug-use can lead to serious health effects and even death.

There are many short-term health effects associated with drinking alcohol, including hangovers, vomiting, and unplanned sex. There are also short-term effects associated with ecstasy use. These can include: anxiety, nausea, insomnia, fits, and dehydration. Using ecstasy at parties can bring on heat exhaustion - a very dangerous condition where you quickly become dehydrated and lapse into unconsciousness. Some of the short-term health effects of cannabis are impaired balance & motor co-ordination, and loss of short term memory. Amphetamine users may suffer from increased blood pressure, hyperactivity, paranoia and panic attacks.

Long-term drug use can lead to the development of a number of diseases and conditions, including cirrhosis of the liver, lung cancer, severe weight loss, infertility and mental illness.

Tolerance to the drug and dependence can also develop.

Some people resort to dealing (even just to friends) to finance their need. If this happens to someone you know, remind them that they are playing a dangerous game.

Tolerance means a person needs more of a drug in order to achieve the same effects they felt previously with smaller amounts. Dependence means the drug becomes central to a person's life. Using higher doses of a drug or using more frequently, can lead to more serious problems.

Financial Cost
Whether they are legal or illegal, drugs are expensive to buy. A person who smokes a pack of cigarettes a day can expect to spend approximately $2500 on cigarettes per year. Illicit drugs are even more expensive, but depend on availability and market trends. Ecstasy can cost $40 to $70 per tablet and heroin can cost $500 to $1000 per gram, depending on its purity.

DRUGS AND THE LAW

Using drugs leads to problems with the law. It is illegal to possess, use, cultivate, manufacture, trade, import and supply illicit drugs. A person convicted of a drug offence will receive a criminal record. In addition to a fine or prison term, a criminal record can cause difficulties with employment and travel. It is not worth the risk.

Using legal drugs illegally may also lead to problems with the law. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase or drink alcohol. In Western Australia, it is against the law for anyone to drive under the influence of drugs or with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.05% (in 100 mL of blood, 5% is alcohol) and over. 'P' plate drivers are not legally allowed to drive with a BAC of 0.02% or more. Breaking this law will lead to disqualification from driving, a fine and/or imprisonment. You also risk doing serious damage to yourself, passengers and other people who share our roads.

RELATIONSHIPS AND DRUGS

Drug use can lead to social and emotional problems and affect your relationships with family and friends. Drugs affect people in different ways. After using drugs, you may become depressed, angry, aggressive, sleepy, unmotivated, paranoid, anxious, euphoric, or talkative. These reactions affect how you relate to other people.

IN AN EMERGENCY

"Losing the plot"
The effects of a drug taken for the first time often take the user by surprise. This is more likely or if they are edgy, depressed or fired up. If you see or are with someone who is losing the plot, (in a state of panic, or confusion), try the following:

If someone collapses

You need to get into gear FAST!!

Symptoms include eyes rolled back, erratic breathing, skin may have a blue tinge or be cold and clammy.

Call the emergency number and ask for paramedics. If anyone nearby has first aid experience - get them to help. Lie the person on their side (recovery position), then clear their mouth and throat of any obstructions that may be blocking their airway passage and wait with them until the ambulance arrives.

It is safer not to use drugs at all but if you must, have someone you can rely on present. They may save your life.

If the person is having a fit or a convulsion, they may be epileptic so do not put your fingers in their throat or you will be injured. In this case you should put them straight into the recovery position and stay with them while someone else calls an ambulance. If someone faints, give them some space and make sure they are getting enough air. When they come around, check that they didn't hurt themselves when they fell, then sit them down in a cool area with their head between their legs.

SHARING NEEDLES

Sharing injecting equipment is a very high risk for the transmission of blood borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.

Clean needles and syringes are available from most pharmacies, regional hospitals, health centres and nursing posts.