Almost half of 16 to 24 year olds living in England and Wales have tried illegal drugs. For the people who take them, illegal drugs can be a serious problem. They’re responsible for between 1,300 and 1,400 deaths a year in the UK and destroy thousands of relationships, families and careers.
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According to the 2007/08 British Crime Survey, the five most commonly used drugs in the UK are:
1. Cannabis
The survey found that 7.4% of 16 to 59 year olds reported using cannabis in the last year. There’s evidence of a link between cannabis and mental health problems, such as schizophrenia. Research has shown that smoking cannabis joints is even more damaging to lungs than smoking cigarettes. Long-term use can cause lung disease and cancer. Cannabis can also lead to paranoia and loss of motivation.
2. Cocaine
This is the second most commonly used drug, with 2.3% of respondents admitting to having taken cocaine in 2006/07. Cocaine is highly addictive. People who are young and healthy can have a fit or heart attack after taking too much coke. It can also cause panic attacks.
3. Ecstasy
The study revealed that 1.5% of 16 to 59 year olds had taken ecstasy in the last year, although its use is decreasing. Ecstasy can cause panic attacks or psychotic states. There have been more than 200 ecstasy-related deaths in the UK since 1996. The drug has been linked to liver, kidney and heart problems.
4. Hallucinogens
The report found that 1.4% of participants had used hallucinogens (including LSD and magic mushrooms), which are Class A drugs. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. The side effects, which are random and occasionally very frightening, may include flashbacks.
5. Amphetamines
Amphetamine use was recorded among 1.0% of 16 to 59 year olds. The number of people charged with offences involving amphetamines (also known as ‘speed’) has dropped dramatically in the past five years. Amphetamines are very addictive, and the comedown can make you feel lousy and depressed. They put a strain on your heart, and users have died from overdosing.
Legal drugs, often referred to as legal highs, are substances used like illegal drugs such as cocaine or cannabis, but not covered by current misuse of drugs laws.
Although these drugs are marketed as legal substances, this doesn’t mean that they are safe or approved for people to use. It just means that they’ve not been declared illegal to use and possess. They are still normally considered illegal to sell under medicines legislation.
The risks
Legal highs can carry serious health risks. The chemicals they contain have in most cases never been used in drugs for human consumption before, so haven’t been tested to show that they are safe. Users can never be certain what they are taking and what the effects might be.
Other risks:
* You increase the risk to yourself if you combine alcohol with any legal or illegal substance that causes a
high, including the risk of death.
* Reduced inhibitions, drowsiness, excited or paranoid states, coma, seizures and death.
* Because legal highs are often new and, in many cases, the actual chemical ingredients in a drug can be
changed without you knowing, the risks are unpredictable.
When to seek medical help
Most problems with short-term use of legal highs will settle after you stop taking them. However, the negative effects of some drugs can take a few days to wear off completely, such as the comedown from stimulants like cocaine and crack.
If you have any immediate concerns about your health after taking any drugs, or if you are worried about continuing health problems after you’ve stopped taking the drugs, visit your GP.
But if you think further advice would be helpful before deciding whether to visit your GP, call the FRANK drugs helpline on 0800 77 66 00.
Seek help immediately
If you think you are having a serious negative reaction soon after taking a drug, go straight to the accident and emergency department of your nearest hospital.
BZP, GBL and Spice-type products
Former legal highs, BZP, GBL and synthetic cannabinoids found in products like Spice, became controlled (illegal) substances in December 2009. This means that they have been classified as drugs that are illegal to possess or to supply to others under the misuse of drugs laws.
Mephedrone (also known as meow meow and M-CAT)
Former legal high mephedrone became a controlled, Class B illegal drug on 16 April 2010, together with the entire family of cathinone derivatives. This means that they are illegal to possess, give away or sell.
Admitting you have a problem with drugs is the first and biggest step towards becoming drug free. There’s a wide range of services that can help.
Some of these services are provided by the NHS, and some are specialist drug facilities run by charities and private organisations.
This guide to getting treatment for a drug problem will steer you through the options, so you can find help that works for you. You have the same entitlement to care as anyone coming to the NHS for help.
With the right help and support it’s possible for you to get drug free and stay that way.
Where to start
A good place to start is your GP surgery. It can assess you and work out what type of treatment is best for you. Your GP might treat you, or you might be referred to your local specialist drug service.
Many drug treatment services accept self-referrals, so you may not need to be referred by your GP.
You can find local drug treatment services on the FRANK website. Information should also be available on your local Primary Care Trust’s (PCT’s) website.
Farnham & Epsom Students: visit the Surrey PCT website
Canterbury Students: visit the East and Coastal Kent PCT website
Maidstone Students: visit the West Kent PCT website
Rochester Students: visit the Medway PCT website
Your keyworker
Once you have been assessed for treatment, you’ll be given a keyworker. They may be a doctor, nurse or a drugs worker. Your keyworker will help you organise treatment, develop a personalised care plan with you, and be your first point of call throughout your treatment. You’ll see your keyworker for regular one-to-one sessions during your treatment.
Voluntary sector and private treatment
Outside the NHS, there are many voluntary sector and private drug and alcohol treatment organisations that can help you. As well as residential rehab centres, there are a variety of community services provided by voluntary organisations. These include structured day programmes, outreach and harm reduction services, counselling services, aftercare, housing support services and other community treatments.
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