National Drugs Helpline

0800 776600

What are street drugs?

• Amphetamines - Wizz or speed

Amphetamines can be taken orally but are usually sniffed as a powder or injected.  It makes the user more awake and lively and lasts about several hours.  Meanwhile they lose their appetite for food.  If repeated doses are taken he/she can become very jumpy leading to acute paranoia.  The person can feel tired, depressed and hungry afterwards.

• Cocaine and Crack - Charlie, coke (cocaine); rock, wash, base (crack)

Cocaine and Crack can be sniffed, injected or smoked.  Its effects are similar to amphetamines, except that the feelings are more intense and cocaine only lasts for up to an hour and crack wears off even more quickly.

• Heroin - Junk, brown, smack or H

Heroin is a powder that can be taken orally, injected, sniffed or smoked.  Small amounts make people relaxed and content.  A large amount causes sleep and stops pain, lasting about several hours.  This drug can make people feel sick or/and makes concentration and quick reactions difficult.  If the user injects, veins and skin  become damaged increasing the risk of infections like HIV and hepatitus.

• Lysergic acid (LSD) - Acid or trip

Lysergic acid can be swallowed as a liquid on blotting paper.  The effects depend on the situation and the mood.  It can make things look and sound very different, and make people feel differently about themselves and the world around them.  This lasts for 8-12 hours.  This drug makes concentration and quick reactions difficult.  Some users become very upset ("bad trip") which may last for days afterwards.  It may also trigger mental illness in a few people who are on the verge of a mental breakdown.  Some users can re-experience part of a trip along time afterwards.

• Cannabis - Dope, weed, blow or draw

Cannabis can be taken orally but is usually smoked in a cigarette or pipe, by itself or with tobacco.  This drug usually makes people feel relaxed and talkative.  If someone is anxious or depressed, it could make them feel worse.  It makes people more sensitive to sounds and colours and can last from 20 minutes to several hours.

• MDMA (Ecstasy) - E, including many others that are based their appearance (doves)

MDMA can be taken orally as a pill or capsule.  In small doses its effects are similar to LSD.  In higher doses the effects are more similar to amphetamine.  This drug can increase sweating, and cause a dry mouth or throat and increase blood pressure.  Bodily coordination can also be effected.  Users say the drug makes them feel in tune with other people and their surroundings.  If used frequently the user may become anxious, panicky or confused.

• Steroids

Steroids can be taken orally as a pill or capsule or injected.  This is used by athletes and body builders to increase muscle size.  Users report that the drug makes them feel more aggressive so they train harder.  If used over a long period of time women may become 'masculine' (e.g. deeper voice and smaller breasts) and these effects may be irreversible even after the drug has been stopped.  Men's reproductive system may be temporarily affected.

• Solvents (glues, aerosols and gases)

Solvents give off fumes that can be inhaled to get 'high'.  It lasts for about 30 minutes and the effect is similar to being very drunk.  The user risks death through vomiting while unconscious.  Furthermore gases like lighter fuel and cleaning fluids can cause death through suffocation or heart failure.

What are the risks?

Uppers speed the body up.  These include amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine.  These drugs can be very dangerous for people who have heart or blood pressure problems.

Downers slow the body down.  These include heroin, alcohol and solvents.  These drugs can be very dangerous if mixed because the body can stop altogether.

Hallucinogens (LSD, magic mushrooms) can make the user do dangerous things.

How can I help in an emergency?

Some drug users get into serious problems and are only alive today because the people around them knew what to do in an emergency.  Sadly others died because the people around them did not know what to do.

Users can become tense and panicky, which usually occurs with hallucinogens, but also occurs with drugs like amphetamines and ecstasy as well as high doses of cannabis.  If this happens take the following steps:

• Calm them down and reassure them
• Talk quietly and explain that the panicky feelings will gradually go
• Keep them away from loud noises and bright lights
• Help them if they hyperventilate (overbreath)

Users can faint or lose consciousness. This usually occurs because he/she has taken downer drugs like alcohol, heroin and tranquillisers, but could also be caused by solvents.  Moreover a person may react badly or overheat on amphetamine or ecstasy.  If this happens take the following steps:

• Put the person in the recovery position
• Loosen any tight clothing that might restrict their breathing
• Keep them warm by use of blankets or a coat (but not too warm).  This does not apply if loss of consciousness is due to overheating
• Check their breathing.  If they are not breathing be prepared to do mouth to mouth resuscitation
• Call an ambulance as soon as possible.  Explain to the ambulance crew what has happened and what you have done

Users can overheat or dehydrate.  This tends to occur with drugs like amphetamine and ecstasy when people really exert themselves.  These drugs give the user an energy boost and people often dance for long periods getting very hot.  As they get hotter they lose a lot of body fluids (as much as a pint an hour).  Overheating and dehydration can result.  This can be dangerous and has been the main reason for ecstasy related deaths.

The warning signs include:

• Cramps in the legs, arms and back
• Failure to sweat
• Headaches and dizziness, vomiting
• Suddenly very tired
• Feeling like urinating but physically unable to do so
• Fainting

It can be prevented by:

• Avoiding amphetamine or ecstasy in the first place
• Not dancing for long periods at a time
• Taking regular rests and relaxing in a cool area
• Drinking water, fruit juice or a sports drink at no more than about the rate of one pint an hour (sipping regularly), and avoiding alcohol
• Drinking or eating something that keeps the salt levels in the body up (i.e. salty snacks, fruit juice and sports drinks)
• Wearing cool clothes and not wearing hats (hats keep heat in)

If someone is overheating:

• Move the person to a cool area (possibly outside)
• Splash the person with cold water to cool them down
• Remove unnecessary clothing and fan them
• Call an ambulance.  Explain to the ambulance crew what has happened and what you have done

Users can become very drowsy.  This usually occurs with downer drugs like alcohol, tranquillisers and heroin but can also happen with solvents.  If someone feels very drowsy take the following steps:

• Put the person in the recovery position and keep talking to them
• Try to stop them becoming unconscious (loss of consciousness could be fatal)
• If they want a drink give them sips of lukewarm water
• Call for medical assistance

What does the law say?

Class A - Controlled drug, illegal to possess without a prescription or other authority.  Highest penalties (7 years + unlimited fine for possession; life + fine for production or trafficking).

Class B - Controlled drug, illegal to possess without a prescription or other authority. Lower penalties than Class B (5 years + fine for possession), any Class B drug which is prepared for injection counts as Class A

Class C - Controlled drug but legal to possess with a prescription or other authority.  The lowest penalties (2 years + fine for possession; 5 years + fine for trafficking).

Which drugs are Class A?

• Heroin
• Morphine
• Methadone
• Diconal (Dipipanone)
• Cocaine
• Crack
• Lysergic acid (LSD)
• Ecstasy

Which drugs are Class B?

• DF118 (Dihydrocodeine)
• Seconal (Quinalbarbitone)
• Nembutal (Pentobarbitone)
• Amphetamine
• Cannabis

Which drugs are Class C?

• Temgesic (Buprenorphinc)
• Temazepam
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Nitrazepam