A drug is any chemical which alters how the body works, or how a person behaves or feels. A drug's effects depend on: its type and strength, the amount taken, the user's mood and other factors like body weight, age, gender etcUse or Misuse?
Misuse occurs when the use of a drug (legal or illegal) is harmful or potentially harmful to the physical, mental or social well-being of an individual, group or society.
What are the risks and dangers of drug abuse?
- Accidents or injury
- Even a small amount of some drugs can cause mental and emotional disturbance.
- Relationships with family and friends suffer.
- Dependence / Addiction - regular drug taking can result in the need for larger doses to achieve the same effect.
- Contamination: if a contaminated drug is used, there may be severe reactions.
- Infections: unclean needles can cause blood poisoning, abscesses and infections.
- Drug misuse can be costly and this can lead to financial problems, debts and crime.
- Illegal drugs carry the risk of involvement with the law.
How do you spot Drug Taking?
Because the symptoms are similar a drug taker can be mistaken for someone who is merely "off lorn".
However, the following list provides a useful guide:
- Abnormally sleepy or drowsy
- Sudden mood changes
- Lack of concentration, memory loss, black-outs, hallucinations
- Lack of interest in work, old friends and hobbies
- Keeping unusually late hours
- Secrecy
- Telling lies and/or stealing
- New and strange friends
- Unusual smells, stains or marks on body or clothes
- Unusual powders, capsules, tablets, syringes, needles or scorched tin-foil.
What to do if you know someone is taking drugs
Firstly, get advice from a parent or counsellor. Any drug user should be referred to a doctor, college counsellor, community addiction counsellor or the Drug Treatment Center, Trinity Court, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 - 6771122
In an Emergency.
If someone overdoses and is drowsy or unconscious:
- Never leave them alone but comfort and reassure them
- If unconscious, turn them on their side to prevent them inhaling vomit
- Ring for a doctor or ambulance
- Give any substance or implement they used to the doctor.
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Amyl Nitrite
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Heroin & Other Opiates
- LSD
- Magic Mushrooms
- Solvent Abuse
- Tranquillisers
