Fuel is what makes your car run, and depending on which type you use, you can make it run better, but using drugs is like putting sugar in your petrol tank – don’t even go there.

Using drugs is risky and different drugs have different effects on people. They can make you feel excited and “big” and other drugs relax people or affect the way that they see other people. There’s almost no way to predict the affects of any drug on a person. A lot depends on the amount of drug taken, the users mood and where they are. Bit of a gamble really.

What do we mean by the word ‘drug’?  Well coffee (caffeine) is a drug,
and so are tabs and beer, but we also have illegal drugs such as cocaine or ecstasy. We’ve all used one sort of drug or another whether it be legal or illegal. The easiest way to look at it is that a ‘drug’, means any substance that is taken for its effect on your body (such as wake
you up or slow you down).

This ‘effect’ may lead to injury and/or physical and mental illness if used long term.   And using illegal drugs could also mean a visit from the local constabulary followed by a long-term stay at Her Majesty’s pleasure.

What types of drug are there?  There are three main types stimulants which speed up the brain and central nervous system, depressants which down the brain and central nervous system and hallucinogenics which affect the user’s mind, distorting the way they see and hear.

Why do people use drugs?  They take drugs for all sorts of reasons, curiosity, boredom, because their mates do, family problems or because they are stressed.  Signs of a person using drugs include: changes in
their appearance, decreasing time spent with friends, strange eating
and sleeping habits and changes in their mood.

Drugs can seriously damage your health.  You may be using drugs or know someone who is. If you (or they) are experiencing any of the above, then the time is now - your GP is there to help.