THE ANTI DRUG CAMAPAIGN

DRUGS

Many people, especially the youth, make use of illegal drugs.

Many young people try drugs and they all have different reasons: they do it for sun, curiosity, to be like their friends, or simply to break rules. Whatever the reason is the use of drugs is harmful. Using street drugs might make the person feel well, but they damage health.

The use of drugs and alcohol together is a greater danger.

These are some of the effects they do when used together.

• They each may increase the side effects of the other substance and can cause coma or death with some drugs.
• The person who makes use of them might get a higher dose of a drug more than what he/she is used to get and this can be fatal.
• Serious infections such as HIV and hepatitis.
• Accidents, arguments and fights because of the drug effects or the drunkenness.
• Using drugs can lead to serious mental illness, such as psychosis or depression
• Can lead to health problems and to overdose.

ABOUT DRUGS

There are two different types of drug: medical drugs and illegal drugs. However this campaign is about illegal drugs.

Illegal drugs exist in different shape, size and types and each drug produces different effect on people.

People take drugs for many reasons: boredom, experimentation, to fit in, etc. Many drugs cause dependence.

Drugs are divided in categories, or classes. The classes ( A, B and C) are decided according to the level of penalty for possession and dealing.

		Possession:	Dealing:
Class A	Ecstasy, LSD, heroin, cocaine, crack, magic mushrooms, amphetamines (if prepared for injection).	Up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.	Up to life in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Class B	Amphetamines, Cannabis, Methylphenidate (Ritalin), Pholcodine.	Up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.	Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.
Class C	Tranquilisers, some painkillers, Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Ketamine.	Up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.	Up to 14 years in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

All the drugs listed above are treated with the law called Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

This law states that it is an offence to:

• possess a controlled substance unlawfully
• possess a controlled substance with intent to supply it
• supply or offer to supply a controlled drug (even if it is 2