It is a fact of life that most of us will encounter drugs at some stage.  Some drugs are legal and some are illegal.  The standard advice is ‘just say no’, and for us to avoid the people and situations where drugs are on offer.  This isn’t always realistic.

There are many dangers associated with using drugs:

• If you are choosing to take drugs you need to find out the facts about them first.
• Individuals may react differently to any drug - you can never be sure of how a drug will affect or harm you.
• Drugs are unpredictable.  There is no way of knowing exactly what is in a street drug.
• Mixing drugs (including alcohol) is unsafe since the effects of some drugs can be altered.  Some drug combinations can be deadly.
• Drugs can have a serious effect on physical and/or mental health.
• An obvious way to avoid the problems of using drugs is not to use them at all.

Cigarettes are legal although you cannot buy cigarettes under 18.  BUT:

• Smoking damages your health.
• Cigarettes give you cancer.  Almost half of all people who smoke will die early from lung cancer or a smoking related illness.
• Smoking during pregnancy can harm the unborn baby.
• Passive smoking can damage the health of non-smokers.

If you have started smoking the best thing you can do for your health is give up now!  Nicotine replacement therapy (e.g. patches and gum) has been proved to double your chances of quitting.  No Smoking Day - what better day to go smokefree.

Alcohol is also legal but it can be illegal to buy and drink alcohol under 18 – check the law.

• You need to know how much you are drinking: one unit = half a pint of beer, lager or cider, a small glass of wine or a pub measure of spirits.
• You need to be aware of how it affects you - drinking too much can lead to loss of consciousness or alcoholic poisoning, which can be fatal.
• You should realise that in the long term it can lead to serious liver, heart and stomach problems.
• Never drink and drive!

There are links to organisations on this page that can give you all the facts on drugs and help you if you are having problems.  A good place to start is by talking to FRANK.

You can also speak to your Connexions Personal Adviser or contact Connexions Direct.