Illicit Drugs

Illicit drugs is another name for Illegal or forbidden drugs. Having any type of Illicit Drug in your possession is illegal and if you are caught selling, buying, using or owning drugs, you most likely will go to jail. There are three main categories that these drugs fall under; Stimulant, Depressant and Hallucinogens. Some drugs can be a mix of any of these categories because they produce different effects for everybody. ————— Stimulant Drugs make you feel more alert and awake. They increase the speed of the messages being sent to and from your brain.

Taking a stimulant drug can increase your heart rate as well as making your body temperature go up and gives you high blood pressure. It decreases your appetite and dilates your pupils and makes you feel agitated. Taking this drug in large doses can not only be lethal but can cause you to become paranoid, aggressive, and get stomach cramps. Types of Stimulants include: -Speed -Cocaine -Ecstasy (MDMA) -Caffeine -Tobacco ——————— Depressant Drugs cause you to slow down your reaction to things happening around you. It gives you a numb feeling and makes you feel more relaxed.

If you take it in large amounts it can make you pass out and even slow down your breathing and heat rate and possibly to the point where you may die. Mixing a depressant drug can increase your likeliness to overdose. Types of Depressants include: -Cannabis -Marijuana -Sedatives – Alcohol -Heroin ————- Hallucinogens can make you seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there. They are also known as ‘psychedelics’ and they change the way a person perceives the world. They affect all five of the body’s senses. It is not possible to determine whether your hallucinations will be positive or unpleasant.

During the experience you may feel panicky, uneasy and nervous. Types of Hallucinogens include: -Magic Mushrooms -Ecstasy -Cannabis -LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) The main reasons teenagers try these drugs is peer pressure, curiosity or for fun. Teenagers do it for mostly the same reason adults do. To change the way they feel. To ether feel better or different. The most common illicit drugs used by teenagers include Cannabis, Amphetamines, Ecstasy and Cocaine. One in five teenagers have tried cannabis at least once and 4. 7 have tried ecstasy. ————————- Maintain a close relationship with the person: Being close with the person makes them feel less alone and knowing that they have someone to talk to when they are ready is always good to have. – Listen to them: Show them that you will be there and are willing to listen to anything they want to talk about. Don’t interrupt them or make them feel the need to react in a way that will stop further discussion. – Be a role model: What you do can really effect a young person. Be someone they can look up too. – Avoid Conflict: It might be hard to resolve problems when there is tension.

It’s important to not overreact or lecture the young person. Try and understand what’s happening from their point of view and encourage them to see from yours. – Focus on the positives: Try to encourage them to do well and Make them feel good about themselves. ———————————- There are no specific signs or behaviours that can tell you exactly if a young person is taking drugs. If a teenager is displaying uncharacteristic behaviours such as mood swings, decreased academic performance, new friends or changers in appearances, it may indicate that they are taking some type of drug.

If you feel that a teenager is taking some form of illicit drugs. It’s important that you talk to someone that might be able to help them or even talk to them yourself. ——————————- Talk to the person with the drug problem. Before you speak to them its a good idea to reflect on their situation and decide what you want to say. Be aware that the person could act negatively towards you. You should express your concerns in a supportive and non judgemental way. Another way that you could help them is by getting professional help. Counselling, Therapy, Rehab and self-help groups are available.