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DRUGS
There has been an immense increase in the use of illegal drugs in recent years, particularly in young people. When it comes to the subject of drugs most parents feel out of their depth, as there are many different drugs available.
Most young people take drugs for recreation, with their friends. If your child wants to take drugs, it is very likely they will find someone to supply them. Most get them from friends. They have their own reasons why they do drugs. Never jump to conclusions, but listen to your child and let them explain why.
Most common reasons are:
Listen to your child, find out their feelings about drugs, don't argue with them, be firm but not aggressive, make your feelings known and that you want your child to respect them. Don't bully them or lecture them and most shock horror don't work either. Show your child that you care, tell them you care, meet their friends and invite them into your home, there you can have some influence on where and what they do.
Some signs of drug use can be:
Don't jump to the wrong conclusions as many of these
signs can be confused with normal growing up.
Be sure of the facts before you do anything.
If your child has tried drugs, don't panic it may be a one off and talking to
them may be enough to stop them trying again by explaining the down side and
that they are illegal and may get into trouble with the police.
If the childs behavior suggests regular drug taking then you need to take further
action, but always support your child and let them know you will be there for
them.
There are many help groups available today, you do not have to suffer alone
they will help and support you in anyway they can. Different drugs have different
effects, people take certain drugs to relax them or to give them confidence
or to get them excited. It's impossible to predict the effects of any drug accurately,
a lot depends on the amount taken, the mood of the user, and the surroundings
they are in.
Listed are some main drugs, their names, the effects they have and symptoms
of the drug if used.
Alcohol can cause serious problems for young people.
Children become aware of alcohol quite early on in their life. Most have their
first drink at home with their parents permission, but some children do experiment
with alcohol without parental knowledge, usually by helping themselves to the
drink cupboard at home.
Young people see alcohol on sale all around, in supermarkets, pubs, and restaurants.
Also maybe they see their parents drinking. They need to be aware that misusing
alcohol can be dangerous. Explain to them that drinking to much alcohol they
are far more likely to have an accident, or even become involved with fights,
maybe with their own friends. Fashionable drinks like "alco-pops" have the same
amount of alcohol in them as a shot of whisky. Bottled beers and ciders are
usually of stronger alcohol than cans or draught.
Mixing drinks should never be done, as this is very risky. Drinking large amounts
of alcohol in one time is risky for young people, because their bodies are not
mature enough, long term heavy drinking can lead to health problems including,
liver, stomach and heart problems.
If you are concerned that your child is drinking, try to react calmly. Explain
to them you are concerned and make them aware and understand about the down
side of misusing alcohol.
There are many low alcohol drinks available and if your child is out to parties
always make sure you know where they are. If the party is at home, always be
aware that children will take alcohol with or without permission, so be vigilant
and a good idea is to clear the family drinks cupboard and monitor drinks supplied
for the party.
Excessive parental drinking can have an adverse effect on children, they can
become depressed and withdrawn, and not do well at school, also long term damage,
you may find they turn to alcohol as it's the normal thing to do. We are our
childrens role models.
Alcoholism is a disease, but there is a lot of help out there available to anyone who needs it, the first step is to admit you have a problem, and that is the biggest step you'll take.
Tobacco is one of the most addictive substances.
Cigarettes are the most common form of tobacco.
Tobacco contains the drug nicotine this is the addictive part of cigarettes.
Nicotine is a fast acting drug and can reach the brain in about 8 seconds from
when the smoke is inhaled from a cigarette. Tobacco smoke contains other chemicals
that can affect your health.
First time users may feel sick and dizzy.
It is very easy to get hooked. Long term effects from smoking cigarettes include
heart disease, blood clots, cancer, strokes, bronchitis, bad circulation ( which
can lead to amputation of limbs ). All of which are life threatening.
It is also a very expensive habit these days. Pregnant women that smoke are
more likely to have smaller babies and run a greater risk of losing their baby
before or shortly after birth.
The sad fact is that tobacco is the cause of over 100 000 premature deaths in
the U.K every year.
Glue sniffing is when people get "high" by breathing
in aerosol fumes, glue and many more products that are found around the home,
and are easily available.
There are over 30 sniffable products around the average home.
Some examples are;
Most children will never try sniffing and those that
do may only try it once.
Those that carry on for a while usually do it regularly with friends.
There are very few that may become heavy and frequent solvent misusers.
Children from any social class may try sniffing even those from "good" homes.
This does not necessarily mean that parents have not brought their children
up properly or that they have failed in anyway. It's more likely to be one of
those "disobedient" or "rebellious" stages that children have.
Young people have their own reasons for solvent misuse and you won't get very
far trying to help out until you find out the reason they do it. For some it
is a pleasurable activity and they enjoy the feelings it gives them.
It can also be a cheaper alternative to alcohol.
Hallucinations when they "sniff" can be exciting and enjoyable. A few sniffers
use solvents in an attempt to blot out their problems, as this temporarily disguises
the problems but long term will only make things worse.
You can help by explaining that solvent misuse will not solve their problem,
and get them to accept this, and then you stand more chance to get them to stop.
Parental pressure and home problems can also trigger young people to "sniff",
as they can sometimes feel guilty and inadequate, and this can cause a type
of rebellious attitude and attention seeking behaviour that may turn them to
solvent use.
There are no clear cut signs to spot a sniffer, moodiness may be a sympton,
but most teenagers can be moody without them necessarily being users.
You can look out for:
Don't jump to conclusions as these symptoms can also
happen for many other reasons.
As a parent you know your child best. Get actively involved in your childs life,
show them you do care, give them respect, and hopefully they will respect and
trust you.
So any problems they have they can talk to you rather than find an alternative
to turn to.
Talk openly to them about solvents, find out their opinions and feelings, listen
to them, help them to learn that you do not need solvents.
Keep an eye on sniffable products around the home, store them out of reach.
There are many help groups available these days, talking to them may give you
more confidence and knowledge in helping your child.
Usually comes as a powder, but also available as tablets.
It can be snorted, swallowed, smoked or injected.
It's effects are a stimulant, which means it quickens the heart rate and breathing.
It can give a user more energy and a feeling of self confidence.
It also acts as an appetite suppressant.
The risks from speed are the "come-down" which can last for one to two days
or even longer.
This is depression and tiredness. Sleep, memory and concentration are affected.
High doses can cause panic and confusion. Long term use can cause paranoia and
mental confusion.
Users can become very run down due to lack of sleep and food, also long term
use can put a strain on the heart.
An overdose can be fatal.
CANNABIS
(blow, ganja, grass, marijuana, weed, hash, draw, wacky backy, shit)
Cannabis is a natural substance derived from the plant
"cannabis sativa".
It comes in a solid dark lump know as "resin" or as leaves stalks or seeds known
as "grass" or as a sticky oil.
It can be rolled and smoked with tobacco in a "joint" or "spliff", smoked on
its own in a special pipe, and can even be eaten
There are different strengths to cannabis and price usually determines this.
The effects of cannabis are; Mild intoxication, relaxed and more talkative.
It heightens the senses especially taste and colours. It may bring on cravings
for certain foods and increase appetite.
It affects concentration and short term memory.
The state of intoxication caused by cannabis is the danger, where the user may
be unsteady their feet and may be unable to cross roads safely.
There can be anxiety or mild hallucinations.
Long term smoking of cannabis can lead to respiratory problems, such as bronchitis
and even lung cancer.
COCAINE
(coke, charlie, snow, c)
Cocaine is a white powder that is usually chopped up
into lines and snorted up the nose.
Occasionally it is injected by some users.
It is a powerful stimulant and creates a feeling of well being, and confidence,
that lasts roughly 30 minutes.
This is where users are usually left craving for more and a dependency can start.
Regular users may appear nervous, restless, confused and exhausted due to lack
of sleep.
Long term use can permanently damage the linings of the nose.
Overdoses can be fatal.
Crack is the smokable form of cocaine, and it is usually
treated with chemicals to allow it to be smoked and more quickly absorbed.
The effects are immediate and more intense than snorting cocaine.
This "high" is short lived maybe as little as 10 minutes, and the user is left
craving for more.
After the "high" users become restless, nauseous, and insomnia occurs.
Heavy use can lead to convulsions and potentially fatal heart and lung problems.
ECSTASY
(e, doves, fantasy, disco burgers, dennis the menace)
Ecstasy usually comes in tablet form of different size
shapes and colours.
The effects are that users can feel alert and intune with their surroundings,
sound and colours can seem much more intense.
The energy buzz means that users can usually dance for hours.
It's a very popular drug at raves and clubs. The effect it has can last anything
from 3 to 6 hours.
A serious danger from this is dehydration which can lead to heat stroke.
As the drug starts to work, after approximately 20 minutes, the user may experience
a tightening of the jaw, also nausea, sweating and an increase in the heart
rate.
The "come down" effects are depression and tiredness that can last for days
There are still a lot of studies into the long term effects of using ecstasy
going on today.
Research shows that it may damage certain brain cells and long term use could
cause liver damage.
HEROIN
(smack, brown, skag, h, horse, jack, gear)
Heroin is a painkilling drug derived from morphine, which
is obtained from the opium poppy.
It comes in powder form, white is pure, street heroin is usually brownish white.
It can be injected, smoked or snorted.
In small doses it produces a feeling of well being, warmth, drowsiness and of
feeling relaxed.
irst time use can have side effects of dizziness and vomiting.
Excessive amounts and overdosing can result in coma and even death.
Heroin is very addictive. Withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant, including,
sweating, shaking, and chills.
There are dangers from injecting heroin, namely vein damage, and sharing needles
or syringes put users at high risk of dangerous infections like H.I.V and hepatitis.
LSD
(acid, tabs, dots, blotters, trips)
Lsd usually comes on small squares of paper, often with
a picture on one side.
They also come as pills or tablets. They are swallowed and a "trip" begins about
an hour after taking Lsd and lasts anything up to 12 hours.
The effects depend on the users mood and a "trip" makes users hallucinate for
hours.
Their sense of time, place and sound can be mixed up.
Once a trip has started there is no way of stopping it, and a bad trip can be
terrifying, and lead to depression and even panic.
Accidents can happen while a user is hallucinating. Also users may experience
flashbacks, even years later, without warning.
MAGIC MUSHROOMS
(mushies, shrooms)
Several types of magic mushrooms grow wild in the U.K.
There are also species that look similar but are poisonous.
Magic mushrooms are an hallucinogenic, similar to Lsd. The difference is that
the trip is usually shorter and milder.
You cannot stop the effects once they have started. They can cause stomach pains,
sickness and vomiting.
The biggest danger with magic mushrooms is picking the wrong ones as they can
be confused with some poisonous and even deadly species.
Poppers is a term used for the group of chemicals known
as Alkyl Nitrates.
It is a prescription drug but has become popular in the gay community, but is
also used by young people at clubs and raves.
The effects are immediate but last only a few minutes. Poppers come in as a
clear or straw coloured liquid in a small bottle or tube.
The vapour is breathed in through the nose or mouth. Users get a very brief
"rush", this is caused by a sudden surge of blood through the heart and brain.
Blood vessels enlarge resulting in a flushed face and neck. Some people experience
headaches and nausea and may feel faint.
Regular use can cause skin problems around the nose and mouth. If spilled the
may burn the skin.
If ever swallowed they may be fatal.