Drugs the Facts  

introduction

The Drugs the Facts booklet began its format in 1985 as a partnership with Drugline and Action Desk. Its development has continued over the years, mirroring our changing knowledge and attitudes towards drugs and drug use, the changes in the law and the introduction of new drugs.

It is designed as a reference resource for anyone who needs accurate information on drugs and drug issues. It combines details on different drugs; legal and illegal, practical sections covering harm reduction and contacts for further help and advice.

So what is a drug?

The dictionary says “.... a drug is any chemical substance that effects the way the body functions; mentally, emotionally and physically.”

Most people wouldn’t think they were drug users when they are smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol, we usually think of drug users as taking heroin, ecstasy or cocaine - the illegal drugs. Drugs, however, are part of everyday life, be it caffeine, tranquillisers, heroin or cannabis. People use them to feel happy, relaxed, relieve stress, calm anxiety or to stimulate the mind or body.

Just because a drug is legal doesn’t mean that it is automatically safer to use. Potential drug risks may include people doing things that they might regret later, there may be risks to women who are pregnant, risks of overdosing, mixing drugs, or of heavy drug use damaging a person’s physical and emotional health in the long term.
Different countries and cultures have very different views of which drugs are acceptable. For example, in many Islamic countries the use of alcohol is forbidden, whilst in Britain it is an acceptable part of the social lives of many people. It is further worth noting that effects can vary, very often the same person will react differently to a particular drug in different situations. Everyone is different. Drugs and drug use are diverse. It is complex.

Background

Drugs are a high priority issue in the media. We see and hear stories daily. A common picture is that of an ‘E’d up’ clubber or a heroin user committing crime. In reality the picture is much more complicated; people use drugs, legal and illegal, they experiment with drugs, they will use them just at weekends or specific events (recreationally), or at an extreme level are physically or psychologically dependant on a drug (problematic drug use). People use drugs for many different reasons, in most cases enjoyment being the main motivation. Some also use to feel calmer, to relax, to cope with other problems, to give stamina, to feel more sociable etc. etc. People are rarely coerced into drug use, there is evidence to suggest the choice to use is active; now termed as “peer preference”, not “peer pressure”, but still subject to availability and choice. For some, other issues have to also be considered as possible contributing factors, e.g. pressure from family and friends, frustration, boredom, unemployment, homelessness etc.

When looking at drug use we have to consider certain factors:

What drug it is

• All having various chemical and emotional effects.

How much is taken

• Larger amounts of a drug can cause a greater effect.

What the user wants to happen

• A drug may be taken for different reasons; to relax, gain energy, to socialise - what the person expects is very important.

How the user reacts to the drug

• If people are feeling a little unsure or anxious, unpleasant experiences may prove more likely.
• In general lighter people may experience greater effects from a similar dose of a drug, than those with a higher body weight.
• If people already have mental health or physical problems drugs may enhance these problems, e.g. LSD may increase the problems of a person who is already anxious or paranoid, or amphetamine, which speeds, up the heart rate and may cause problems for people with the heart condition angina.
• A drugs’ contents can be unpredictable; when buying illegal drugs a person may not know exactly what they are buying. It is often cut with other substances which can make it difficult to know its purity, and therefore exactly how much it is comfortable to take, e.g. amphetamine and sulphate is commonly less than 5% pure and mixed with caffeine and epherdrine.
• Mixing drugs can alter the effects; increasing the likelihood of problems, e.g. mixing tranquillisers and alcohol has proved fatal.

‘Drugs The Facts’ booklet is available upon request from Drugline Lancashire Ltd, please telephone 01772 253840, priced £1 each. Also available is the Annual Report, Corporate Plan and various other leaflets.