Talking about drugs and alcohol is not easy. However, a survey on alcohol and drug use in secondary schools discovered that young people who believed that their families would try to keep them from taking drugs were less likely to do drugs (NatCen and NFER, 2010). It is never too early to begin talking about drugs and alcohol awareness.

If a young person does get involved with drugs and alcohol, however, do not over-react, and try to be non-judgmental. The most important thing is to be supportive and maintain a good relationship with this young person no matter what they do. Remember that an addiction can only be fixed once the young person acknowledges that there is a problem. If a good relationship has already been established with a young person who has an addiction, that young person will already know where to find help and guidance when they recognizes the problem.

Health Risks of Alcohol and Drugs:

Alcohol:

• Globally, an estimated 1.8 million deaths each year are directly related to alcohol consumption (WHO—World Health Organisation).
• In the UK alone, there were up to 40,000 alcohol-related deaths in 2005 (IAS—Institute of Alcohol Studies).

Tobacco:

• Smoking tobacco can result in a long-term addiction which can lead to chest infections, cancer, or heart disease
• Smoking contributes to an estimated 120,000 premature deaths in theUKevery year (Substance Misuse Partnership)

Ecstasy:

• Ecstasy can cause hyperthermia (overheating), and repeated use of ecstasy makes the user more susceptible to muscle breakdown, dehydration, hypertension, and heart-failure (NIDA).
• It has also been linked to liver and kidney problems, depression, and permanent brain damage

Amphetamines:

• Amphetamines increases the user’s heart rate and blood pressure and damages blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to a stroke
• An overdose of amphetamines can cause hyperthermia (overheating), convulsions, and death
• Amphetamine users often suffer from anxiety, violence, depression, paranoia, confusion, insomnia, hallucinations, and delusions such as insects crawling underneath their skin
• Users who inject amphetamine directly into their bloodstream using needles are more at risk for contracting infections like Hepatitis B or C and HIV/AIDS

Alkyl Nitrates (Poppers):

• Headaches are a common side-effect of taking alkyl nitrates
• Alkyl Nitrate is very caustic and can burn skin
• Mixing Viagra with Alkyl Nitrates decreases blood pressure, which can lead to fainting, a stroke, or a heart attack

Cannabis:

• Cannabis impairs the user’s ability to concentrate, may cause the user to lack energy and motivation, or become paranoid and anxious
• It can lead to permanent brain damage, and has been linked to schizophrenia and other mental disabilities

Magic Mushrooms:

• Magic mushrooms can cause stomach pains, sickness, nausea, and diarrhoea
• Accidentally eating the wrong kind of mushroom can lead to serious illness, poisoning, and even death
• Magic mushrooms can result in anxiety, psychosis, panic attacks, severe depression, and serious mental health problems

Cocaine/Crack:

• Cocaine and crack are heavily addictive, even after one use, and can result in depression, anxiety, and paranoia
• They increase the user’s heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, leading to a higher risk of heart attacks and seizures
• Using either crack or cocaine just once can kill the user

LSD:

• LSD is a highly unpredictable drug, and bad “trips” can be terrifying
• It increases body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure; can incite nausea, insomnia, and body tremors
• LSD can lead to anxiety, depression, and mental health problems such as schizophrenia

GHB:

• Side-effects of GHB include giddiness, slurring of speech, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, loss of awareness
• GHB can induce unconsciousness, which makes the user susceptible to date rape, and, in serious cases, can lead to comas and death

Ketamine:

• Ketamine users cannot feel physical pain, so they can injure themselves badly and be unaware of their injuries
• In extreme cases, Ketamine users may become physically paralyzed under the influence
• Ketamine can cause panic attacks and depression and aggravate mental illness, and has been linked to high blood pressure and bladder problems

Heroin:

• Heroin damages veins, which can then lead to gangrene and tissue infections
• Overdoses can result in a coma and even death

Khat:

• Khat users often suffer from insomnia and heart problems, and many experience sexual impotence
• It can lead to feelings of anxiety, aggression, and violence, and can make existing mental health problems worse