Reducing the misuse of drugs by young people continues to be a priority for both the Police and OPCC. The taking of illicit drugs is of course illegal, but it is the profound impact that drugs can have on a young person’s health and well-being that concerns us the most. As well as these issues, the misuse of drugs also can pull young people into a ‘county lines’ type environment whereby they can be exploited by those controlling them. Whilst we do try to educate young people on the harms of these often untested substances, the law is used to protect individuals at risk of further drug use and exploitation.
Classroom Resources
Cover the statutory Health Education requirements with our drug and alcohol lesson packs
Category: Drugs
Audience: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 30+
Keywords: drugs, county lines, alcohol
The PSHE Association drug and alcohol schemes of work for key stages 1-4 have been developed for Public Health England. This pack includes lesson plans and resources for each key stage — with knowledge organisers included — as well as a comprehensive teacher guidance document, a briefing on the evidence base underpinning effective drug and alcohol education, and governors’ briefing. Interactive PowerPoint lesson plans are also available, for members of the Association.
Support pupils with SEND to explore the facts, laws, risks and consequences associated with drug and alcohol use, as well as the dangers of household products and prescribed medications.
Category: Drugs
Audience: SEND
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): <60
Keywords:
These lesson plans and slides are designed to be used flexibly, and can be adapted to meet the needs and abilities of your pupils. Each lesson provides several main activities for you to choose from, which are based on the progression stages outlined in our Planning Framework for Pupils with SEND.
The lesson plans from the Home Office are designed to prevent young people becoming involved in serious and organised crime.
Category: Crime and ASB, Drugs
Audience: KS3
Developed by: Home Office
Duration (minutes): 2×60
Keywords:
The Year 7 lesson will help students recognise unsafe or coercive friendships. The Year 9 lesson explores the impact of serious and organised crime directly, including the example of young people involved in drugs supply with a focus on county lines (transporting drugs across counties).
KS3 form time activities
Category: Drugs
Audience: KS3
Developed by: Gov.UK
Duration (minutes): -30 mins
Keywords:
In these 3 form time sessions, students learn about social pressures around vaping, its impact, and the effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain.
Consequences of vaping and challenging the influences that might encourage young people to vape
Category: Drugs
Audience: KS3
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 60
Keywords: vaping, consequences, harm
A year 9 lesson exploring the consequences of vaping and challenging the influences that might encourage young people to vape. Designed to follow on from the Year 9 lessons in our existing suite of drug and alcohol education lessons, this lesson will help students understand the impact of influences, influencers and marketing on vaping-related choices and behaviours, explain the consequences of vaping, including the environmental cost of e-cigarettes, analyse ways to challenge influences and misconceptions about vaping
Elearning
Provider: The National College
published: £80.00
Child exploitation and drugs trafficking are illegal throughout the UK. All school staff should be aware of indicators that children are at-risk from, or are involved in, serious violent crime, including county lines, as part of their statutory safeguarding duties. This course provides you with the knowledge and skills to understand, identify and support children who may be vulnerable to exploitation and at risk of being recruited into county lines.
Provider: Virtual College
published: £30.00
Formerly known as Gang Related Issues and County Lines this online Child Criminal Exploitation, Gangs and County Lines training has been designed to give learners a better understanding of gang issues and county lines by looking at these terms, what they mean and the signs and symptoms of abuse. The online CPD approved safeguarding training also looks at Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), its definition and how to recognise it and much more.
Podcasts
It will probably come as no surprise that drinking and drug culture is a huge problem for students. Leaving home and gaining independence is a very exciting time for any student but this can come with its own problems and struggles, one of the main ones being the pressure to drink and use substances.
In this episode, we discuss criminal exploitation and county lines. The experts are Dave, a parent whose son, Mark, became involved with gangs, and Catherine, a youth justice manager who worked with Dave and Mark and has expertise in gangs and county lines.
Madeleine Finlay speaks to former Guardian health editor Sarah Boseley about the rise in vaping among under-18s and what can be done to discourage more children from taking up the habit. She also hears from Prof Linda Bauld about the impact of vaping on young people
Video
Websites
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
County Lines is a very serious issue where criminal gangs set up a drug dealing operation in a place outside their usual operating area. Gangs will move their drug dealing from big cities (e.g. London, Manchester, Liverpool etc.) to smaller towns in order to make more money. This can have a really big effect on the community who live there and bring with it serious criminal behaviour.
Children as young as six are being forced to carry and sell drugs far away from their homes. They are made to skip school, sleep in drug dens, keep secrets from their loved ones. They are treated as criminals when they often feel trapped in a hopeless situation.
Fully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association. It’s our place to think, stretch out and join the dots between this fast changing world and what might best support children and young people to navigate it.
Home Office Minister Lord Henley said ‘There are so many ways for young people to get information on drugs: through their friends, the internet, TV programmes, films and song lyrics that knowing what’s true and where the dangers lie can be difficult. It is important that young people know that FRANK will always give them free and accurate information and confidential advice whenever they need it.
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.
In response to requests for resources on youth vaping, our Public Health team have provided this toolkit aimed at schools, colleges and other professionals who work with children and young people, as well as parents and carers. These resources have been adapted with permission from Sheffield Council who developed them with ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), a public health charity set up by the Royal College of Physicians to end the harm caused by tobacco. The resources are designed to support educators, including PSHE and safeguarding leads, parents, and carers to have evidence-based conversations and enable children and young people to make informed decisions about vaping.
Documents
Author: Gov.UK
Published: 26-01-2024
There were 46,551 adults in alcohol and drug treatment in prisons and secure settings between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. Numbers in treatment have increased 3% year on year for the last 2 years, with 43,607 reported in 2020 to 2021 and 45,096 in 2021 to 2022.
Author: RADAR (Scotland)
Published: 01-12-2023
There is an increase in the availability of a new type of synthetic opioid drugs called nitazenes. They are also known as 2-benzyl benzimidazole opioids. Due to their unexpected presence in the drug supply and high potency, nitazenes pose a substantial risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death.
Author: Institute of Alcohol Studies
Published: 28-02-2023
This report examines possible explanations for the decline seen in alcohol-related violence – drawing on existing literature exploring: changing patterns in violence (e.g., Farrell et al. 2014), alcohol’s relationship with violence (e.g., Graham & Livingston 2011), and the measurement of violence (e.g., Reiner 2016).
Author: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)
Published: 23-01-2023
The purpose of this report is to examine the current situation, risks and responses to the recreational use of nitrous oxide in Europe. To support this, the report also provides a state-of-the-art review of the chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the gas. It is intended for policymakers and practitioners.
Author: Action For Childre
Published:
In March 2024 we published the findings of the Jay Review of Criminally Exploited Children. This is our first piece of follow-up research, which examines the harms caused to exploited children and makes recommendations to ensure that these children can be safeguarded effectively.
News
16/04/2025: Disposable vape use falling in UK ahead of ban
The popularity of disposable e-cigarettes or vapes has fallen ahead of a UK-wide ban, external on their sale on 1 June, a study suggests.
31/03/2025: Some children vaping in class, say teachers (Wales)
School pupils are unable to concentrate because of the effects of nicotine and some are even vaping in class, according to teachers.
25/02/2025: Generation K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people
At the urology department of Burnley General Hospital, 26-year-old Ryan (not his real name) is having a drug solution inserted through a catheter – part of his treatment for a condition known as ketamine bladder.
24/02/2025: Vaping ‘more dangerous than smoking’, bombshell first-of-its-kind study reveals – raises risk of THREE deadly diseases
Regularly using e-cigarettes could put users at risk of dementia, heart disease and organ failure, a bombshell study has revealed.
19/02/2025: Government launches vaping study and social media campaign on dangers
The government has launched a £62 million study to examine the impact of vaping on young people, amid the trend which has “skyrocketed” in recent years.
19/02/2025: 10-year study to shed light on youth vaping
Landmark study to investigate long-term health effects of vaping on young people’s health and wellbeing, alongside wider influences on adolescent health.
05/02/2025: ‘Alarming’ rise in strong illicit nicotine pouches
High strength nicotine pouches that are being sold illegally in the UK could cause inadvertent overdosing and harm to teenagers and young adults, experts have warned.
05/12/2024: Welcome Rise Of Numbers In Drug & Alcohol Treatment
2023/24 treatment stats show welcome (7%) rise in numbers in drug & alcohol treatment.
25/11/2024: ‘I had no idea being a social drinker would damage my liver by 31’
At 31 years old, I was told by doctors that if I didn’t stop drinking alcohol, I could die.
06/11/2024: What is the UK smoking ban and how many people still smoke?
It will be illegal for anyone currently aged 15 or under to ever buy cigarettes in the UK, under new laws proposed by the government.
On this page:
County Lines
What is County Lines?
Gangs and organised criminal networks export illegal drugs out of bigger cities into smaller towns.
They use dedicated mobile phone lines to make drug deals.
They can exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store drugs and money.
They will often use coercion, intimidation, violence and weapons.
Interactive Exploitation resources
Anywhere Kids
Delivered as a collaboration with the Humber Modern Slavery Partnership, Anywhere Kids is an animation created by My Pockets which demonstrates the consequences around being groomed and exploited.
Ryan’s Story (16+)
Ryan’s Story is an interactive film whereby viewers can choose to see what happens next based on the decision that they make on behalf of the main character. The storylines follow paths based on Ryan joining either a local or out of town organised crime group. From there, the character of Ryan wrestles with his conscience and the consequences of the violent world he inhabits.
Chloe’s Story (16+)
Co-written and made with young people, Chloe tells the story of a young girl and her friend groomed online by a dangerous perpetrator.
- 15 – 16 years old is the most common age of children being used to courier drugs.
- Both boys and girls are exploited.
- White British children are targeted.
- Often social media is used to make initial contact.
- Class A drug users are often targeted so that gangs can cuckoo them.
Developed with young people, Not In Our Community means working together to protect against grooming and exploitation.
Cannabis Edibles
What are Cannabis Edibles?
Edibles are food products that may contain cannabis. There are many forms of edibles, including sweets, gummies, and lollipops. They usually contain – or are marketed as containing – several chemicals, many of which are harmful and controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis and can make people feel a range of effects, while cannabidiol (CBD) is the non-psychoactive chemical compound which does not have the same effect. Any CBD product containing THC is illegal in the UK.
The sweet versions are widely available on the internet and via social media and may be easily accessed by young people. The packaging is often deliberately targeted to attract young people. There is NO quality control of these products.
What are the concerns about Cannabis Edibles?
The amount of cannabis in these products can vary greatly and sometimes other harmful drugs are added too. The effects of consuming edibles are unpredictable, and it can be very easy to accidentally take a larger dose. Edibles take between 1-3 hours to have an effect because food is absorbed into the bloodstream through the liver. Because it takes longer, the person taking them may end up consuming larger amounts of the drug while thinking the drug isn’t working. As edibles may look like other products, there is also the risk someone may ingest them without realising they contain drugs – this could include other children in the home.
Displayed side effects may include:
Paranoia, panic attacks, nausea, impaired mobility, hyperactivity, elevated heart rate, hallucinations.
What can you do?
We recommend monitoring food packaging/wrappers, looking for wording such as CBD or THC suggesting the items are cannabis oil infused. (See image right)
For the latest information on drug trends, visit the Frank news page.
Please be mindful of the medical needs should a child present with symptoms, or if you suspect they have consumed a drug-laced substance. In a medical emergency call 999.
Law
Any drug with THC in is classed as a class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
If you are made aware of any social media accounts advertising these items, we ask you report this information to the police, school, or log your concerns anonymously using Crime Stoppers.
You can also report any incidents to us online: Devon and Cornwall Police.
Vaping
Vaping
In recent years, smoking by young people has been steadily declining, but the production of Vapes is largely replacing traditional smoking with young people. To a greater degree, it is less regulated and is more easily available from multiple shopping outlets as well as online. Vaping is new and so far the impact on people’s health is still being determined, but despite that lack of knowledge there are some shocking concerns. With the lack of regulation, particularly in the online environment, the content of vapes varies massively and can contain illegal substances. An example of this can be taken from a recent operation in Devon and Cornwall where vapes taken from students were found to contain illegal substances.
So one of the greatest concerns we have for young people is that we know they don’t know what is in their Vapes. Whilst they may be smoking with little disregard to the potential health impacts, we need to be educating and creating safe environments for them.
Latest News
16/04/2025: Disposable vape use falling in UK ahead of ban
The popularity of disposable e-cigarettes or vapes has fallen ahead of a UK-wide ban, external on their sale on 1 June, a study suggests.
31/03/2025: Some children vaping in class, say teachers (Wales)
School pupils are unable to concentrate because of the effects of nicotine and some are even vaping in class, according to teachers.
24/02/2025: Vaping ‘more dangerous than smoking’, bombshell first-of-its-kind study reveals – raises risk of THREE deadly diseases
Regularly using e-cigarettes could put users at risk of dementia, heart disease and organ failure, a bombshell study has revealed.
19/02/2025: 10-year study to shed light on youth vaping
Landmark study to investigate long-term health effects of vaping on young people’s health and wellbeing, alongside wider influences on adolescent health.
10/02/2025: Wales: Children starting secondary school as vape addicts
Children are starting secondary school already addicted to vaping, a Welsh government minister has said.
01/02/2025: Top supermarkets running ‘prohibited’ tobacco ads
Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are displaying adverts for tobacco products in their stores which Trading Standards says are against the law.
06/11/2024: What is the UK smoking ban and how many people still smoke?
It will be illegal for anyone currently aged 15 or under to ever buy cigarettes in the UK, under new laws proposed by the government.
24/10/2024: Disposable vapes to be banned from June
The sale of single-use disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales from June next year, the government has confirmed.
09/09/2024: Fitness of youngsters who vape ‘is just as bad as smokers of same age’, study reveals
Young vapers perform worse in exercises than their peers who do not use e-cigarettes and record performances similar to smokers the same age, according to a study.
02/08/2024: Sex abuser used vapes to groom 14-year-old girl
A 14-year-old girl has told the BBC she was sexually abused by an older man who groomed her by posing as a teenager offering to buy her vapes.
ASH guidance on developing school policies on vaping
ASH have produced information to support schools in creating a robust policy around vapes in schools including questions to ask to inform wider school policies and ethos
- Do staff know what they would do if children in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 are found to be smoking or vaping?
- Would policy change for children of different ages?
- Is there a range of sanctions to reflect severity?
- Do your policies support students if vaping is being used to stop smoking?
- How do you support children who smoke to stop?
- Are you in touch with school nurses about these issues?
- Do these policies align with a wider school ethos? If so, how?
The full document can be viewed here.
Addressing common myths about vaping: Putting the evidence in context
This short brief is to aid responsible reporting of the evidence about vaping and reduce:
- Repetition of misconceptions as conventional wisdom;
- Overstating the evidence, with caveats downplayed or missed out;
- Presenting opinions as facts.
You can read the full document here.
If you are from a school, college, or are a safeguarding lead there are a range of resources developed by ‘Smoke Free Sheffield’ you may find useful including:
- Two posters which can be displayed where students will see them, such as school toilets, classrooms, canteens, and noticeboards. Both digital and printed versions are available.
- A short, animated film which can be used in PSHE lessons, form times and assemblies, to start discussions.
- PowerPoint slides ready for use by teachers in the classroom alongside the animated film to guide discussions.
- To back up the slides for classroom use is a more detailed slideset for teachers, providing additional information to support educators, answering questions and signposting to additional support.
- An electronic leaflet designed for parents and carers giving more information about smoking and vaping.
Drugs Wiki
Tranquilisers
Xanax, Vallies, Rugby Balls, Roofies, Rohypnol, Norries, Moggies, Mazzies, Jellies, Eggs, Downers, Blues, Benzos, Benzodiazepines, Valium, Diazepam
Tranquillisers can induce periods of calmness, relaxation and sleep, and are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. In medicine, tranquillisers are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. In the club scene, tranquillisers are often used as chill-out drugs, and to help people sleep after taking stimulants. Some people use them to help come down off acid, cocaine, speed or ecstasy. Using tranquillisers can be risky, and especially dangerous if you mix them with other depressant drugs like heroin or alcohol.
Xanax
Xanax is an anti-anxiety medication. It can make you feel sleepy, relaxed and tired quite quickly, it is 20 times stronger than valium.
Xanax is very addictive and you can become physically dependant on it. There has been an increase in young people going to hospital due to taking Xanax.
Xanax can cause blackouts and put you at risk of sexual assault and other crimes.
The Law
Tranquillisers are controlled under Class C of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Unauthorised possession (i.e. without a prescription) could result in a prison sentence of up to 2 years and an unlimited fine.
Supplying, which includes giving some to your friends, could mean up to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a pretty serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.
Poppers
TNT, Thrust, Rock Hard, Ram, Liquid Gold, Kix, Amyls
Poppers are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but amyl nitrite is regulated under the Medicines Act 1968 and there have been cases where the Medicines Act was used to fine shops for selling poppers. Poppers are also covered by general consumer protection legislation.
Possession is not illegal but supply can be an offence.
Poppers are not covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
The Law
Poppers are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, but amyl nitrite is regulated under the Medicines Act 1968 and there have been cases where the Medicines Act was used to fine shops for selling poppers. Poppers are also covered by general consumer protection legislation.
Possession is not illegal but supply can be an offence.
Poppers are not covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
New Psychoactive Substance
NPS, MDAT, Eric 3, Dimethocaine, Bath Salts, Legal Highs
New psychoactive substances – often incorrectly called legal highs – contain one or more chemical substances which produce similar effects to illegal drugs (like cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy).
The main effects of almost all psychoactive drugs, can be described using four main categories, stimulants,‘downers’ or sedatives, psychedelics or hallucinogens and synthetic cannabinoids.
The Law
Although some of these so-called ‘legal highs’ were legal in the past, since the Psychoactive Substances Act came into effect on 26 May 2016, none of these drugs are legal to produce, supply or import (even for personal use, e.g. over the internet) for human consumption.
This includes selling them or giving them away for free (even to friends) when they are going to be taken to get high.
The ‘legal highs’ that were made illegal as class A, B or C drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act, are still covered by that legislation. All other psychoactive substances not currently covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act will fall under the Psychoactive Substances Act.
LSD
Window, Trips, Tab, Stars, Smiles, Rainbows, Paper Mushrooms, Micro Dot, Lucy, Liquid Acid, Lightning Flash, L, Hawk, Flash, Drop, Dots, Cheer, Blotter, Acid
LSD stands for its chemical name, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, and is commonly called ‘acid’. It’s a powerful hallucinogenic drug – this means that users are likely to experience a distorted view of objects and reality, including seeing and sometimes hearing things that aren’t there (these are hallucinations). The experience of taking lsd is known as a ‘trip’.
Time and movement can appear to speed up and slow down. Colour, sound and objects can get distorted and you can experience double vision.
These distortions of your senses can be quite unpredictable, sometimes pleasant, but sometimes very frightening (these are called ‘bad trips’).
The Law
LSD Is A Class A Drug, So It’s Illegal To Have For Yourself, Give Away Or Sell. Possession Is Illegal And Can Get You Up To Seven Years In Jail And/Or An Unlimited Fine.
Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you up to life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
If the Police catch you with LSD, they’ll always take some action. This could include a formal caution, arrest and prosecution.
A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a pretty serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.
Ketamine
Vitamin K, Super K, Special K, K, Green, Donkey Dust
Ketamine is a powerful general anaesthetic which stops you feeling pain and it’s used for operations on humans and animals.
The effects don’t last long, but until they wear off, ketamine can cause a loss of feeling in the body and paralysis of the muscles. It can also lead to you experiencing a distortion of reality.
The Law
Ketamine is a Class B drug – it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell. Possession is illegal whatever you’re using it for, including pain relief.
Supplying your mates, even if you give it away, is also considered ‘supplying’ under the law.
If the Police catch you with Ketamine you could be arrested, have a formal caution, a penalty notice and a possible conviction.
A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a pretty serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.
Mephedrone
White Magic, Miaow, Meph, Meow Meow, MC, M-Smack, M-Cat, Charge, Bubble, Bounce, 4-MMC
Mephedrone is a powerful stimulant. The main effects and risks of mephedrone include euphoria, alertness and feelings of affection towards the people around you, but you can also have feelings of anxiety and paranoia.
Mephedrone, or meow meow, can also overstimulate your heart and circulation; and can overstimulate your nervous system, with risk of fits.
The Law
Mephadrone is a Class B drug – it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell. Possession is illegal whatever you’re using it for, including pain relief.
Supplying your mates, even if you give it away, is also considered ‘supplying’ under the law.
If the Police catch you with Mephadrone you could be arrested, have a formal caution, a penalty notice and a possible conviction.
A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a pretty serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.
Heroin
Smack, Skag, Horse, H, Gear, Brown
Heroin is a drug made from morphine. A small dose gives the user a feeling of warmth and well-being, bigger doses can make you sleepy and very relaxed, but the first dose of heroin can bring about dizziness and vomiting.
‘Street’ heroin sold as ‘brown’ is sometimes now used by clubbers as a chill out drug after a big night out.
Heroin is highly addictive and people can quickly get hooked.
The Law
Heroin is a class A drug, so it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell. Possession is illegal and can get you up to seven years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.
Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you up to life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
If the Police catch you with heroin, they’ll always take some action. This could include a formal caution, arrest and prosecution.
A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a pretty serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.
Ecstasy
XTC, Superman, Rolexs, Pink Superman, Pills, Mitsubishi’s, MDMA, Mandy, E, Dolphins, Crystal, Cowies, Brownies
Ecstasy (Also known by it’s Chemical Name, MDMA) gives an energy buzz that makes people feel alert, alive, in tune with their surroundings, and with sounds and colours often experienced as more intense.
Clubbers take ecstasy to feel energised and happy.
Users often develop temporary feelings of love and affection for the people they’re with and for the strangers around them.
The effects take about half an hour to kick in and tend to last between 3 to 6 hours, followed by a gradual comedown.
The Law
Ecstasy is a class A drug, so it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell. Possession is illegal and can get you up to seven years in jail and/or an unlimited fine.
Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you up to life imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
If the Police catch you with Ecstasy, they’ll always take some action. This could include a formal caution, arrest and prosecution.
A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a pretty serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.
Cocaine
White, Wash, Toot, Stones, Snow, Rocks, Percy, Pebbles, Freebase, Crack, Coke, Chiang, Charlie, Chang
‘Coke’ Is A White Powder. ‘Crack’ Is A Form Of Cocaine Made Into Small Lumps Or Rocks That Makes A Cracking Noise When Burnt.
Taking cocaine makes users feel on top of the world, wide-awake, confident and on top of their game – but some people are over-confident on it and so may take very careless risks. The effects of crack smoking are virtually immediate, peaking for about two minutes and lasting for only about 10 minutes.
When the effects of any cocaine use start to wear off there can be a very strong temptation to take more.
The Law
‘Coke’, ‘freebase’ and ‘crack’ are all Class A drugs – that means they’re illegal to have, give away or sell.Possession can get you up to seven years in jail, but supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you life and an unlimited fine.
If the Police catch you with cocaine, they’ll always take some action. This could include a formal caution, arrest and prosecution.
Cannabis
Weed, Skunk, Sense, Puff, Marijuana, Hash, Grass, Dope, Bhang
Cannabis is a naturally occurring drug which can make you feel very chilled out, happy and relaxed. A big myth about cannabis is that it’s safe because it’s natural. Cannabis has some very real effects on your mood, as well as creating longer-term problems.
It’s the most widely-used illegal drug in Britain, although the numbers of people using it are falling. Cannabis is naturally occurring – it is made from the cannabis plant.
The Law
Cannabis is a Class B drug – it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell. Possession is illegal whatever you’re using it for, including pain relief.
Supplying your mates, even if you give it away, is also considered ‘supplying’ under the law.
If the Police catch you with cannabis you could be arrested, have a formal caution, a penalty notice and a possible conviction.
A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a pretty serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.
Cigarettes
Cigarettes contain Nicotine, which is highly addictive. Nicotine alters the balance of two chemicals, called Dopamine and Noradrenaline, in your brain. When nicotine changes the levels of these chemicals, your mood and concentration levels change. Many smokers find this enjoyable.
The changes happen very quickly. When you inhale the nicotine, it immediately rushes to your brain, where it produces feelings of pleasure and reduces stress and anxiety. This is why many smokers enjoy the nicotine rush and become dependent on it.
Most people start smoking when they are in their teens and are addicted by the time they reach adulthood.
Smoking can cause many long-term health problems.
Health
Effects
E-Cigarettes
- E-cigarettes produce a vapour, that contains nicotine.
- Unlike normal cigarettes, you can use E-cigarettes in places where smoking is not allowed.
- The ingredients of E-cigarettes are often unknown.
- The long term health effects are unknown, but there are a number of deaths that have been linked to E-cigarettes
The Law
- It’s against the law to sell cigarettes, tobacco or tobacco products to under 18s.
- All large shops and supermarkets in England now need to cover up cigarettes and hide tobacco products from public view.
- Smoking in public is against the law. This does not include E cigarettes.
Alcohol
Alcohol is the most popular social drug for many people. It helps us relax, can make us more comfortable in difficult social situations and can help us forget about tough problems in our lives.
Excessive alcohol use can lead to problems, such as losing control and also to long term health problems.
Alcohol Units
Alcohol units vary between drinks, meaning you could drink a small shot of spirits or a large bottle of beer and the amount of alcohol in them may be the same, in fact there could be more in the small shot.
Each unit is an amount of alcohol and the more you have, the more drunk you will become. This will initially affect your mood, but long term excessive drinking will impact your health.
14 is the recommended number of units per person per week.
Health
Effects
The Law
If you’re 16 or under, you may be able to go to a pub (or premises primarily used to sell alcohol) if you’re accompanied by an adult. However, this isn’t always the case. It can also depend on:
- the specific conditions for that premises
- the licensable activities taking place there
If you’re under 18, it is against the law:
- for someone to sell you alcohol
- to buy or try to buy alcohol
- for an adult to buy or try to buy alcohol for you
- to drink alcohol in licensed premises (eg a pub or restaurant)
However if you’re 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal.
If you’re under 18 and drinking alcohol in public, you can be stopped, fined or arrested by police.
It’s illegal to give alcohol to children under 5.