Using Drugs

Many people use drugs. Some only use them occasionally while others find they cannot get through the day without them. Different drugs (including alcohol and tobacco) act on different areas of the brain and alter its chemical balance. It’s these changes that cause the feelings and sensations people get when they take drugs. The effect of drugs varies from substance to substance, and it is not possible to say exactly how a particular drug will affect someone.

A range of potential problems

While a few people may manage to take drugs without negative side effects that’s quite rare. It’s much more common for drugs to cause a range of problems, some of them very serious. There’s no way of knowing who will suffer ill-effects or when – especially as nobody can be really sure what they’re getting when they buy drugs illegally. 

• You can form a dependence on a drug and it’s possible to feel you must take the drug to cope. 
• Some people suffer from extreme reactions, and unfortunately, some people die as a result of their drug use. 
• Drugs can trigger mental health problems like psychosis, anxiety or depression.
• Drugs can be more harmful for young people because their bodies and brains are still developing. 
• It’s very dangerous to take several drugs at once. Many people have died from a drug overdose because took a combination of drugs, often with alcohol.
• If you get caught with drugs, you risk getting a criminal record, a fine or going to prison.