Drugs

You might be tempted to try drugs because your friends are doing it or you are curious, but remember that most drugs are illegal and can seriously damage your health.

Illegal drugs fall into three classes, based on how strong they are and their effects.

Class A – includes cocaine (coke), heroin (smack), LSD, magic mushrooms, ecstasy.
Class B – includes mephedrone (MCAT, bubbles), amphetamines, cannabis (weed, skunk, including synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice).
Class C – includes anabolic steroids, ketamine.

If you are found in possession of illegal drugs or supplying them to other people, you could find yourself in serious trouble with the law. Class A drugs carry the most serious penalties.

Find out more at FRANK

To find out more about the effects and risks of drugs, visit the FRANK website.

You can also call the FRANK helpline free on 0800 776 600.

If you feel that you, or someone close to you, is becoming dependent on drugs you can get help from the East Sussex Under 19s Substance Misuse Service (U19s SMS).

Find out more at Get help with drug or alcohol problems.

Here are some drugs that you might hear about or even be offered. All these drugs are illegal and have serious side effects.

Ketamine

Ketamine is normally used as an anaesthetic for humans and animals. It can cause powerful hallucinations and loss of body sensation. Side effects include depression, panic attacks and bladder problems.

Ketamine is a Class C drug which means that it's illegal to possess it and to supply it.

Possession can get you up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine. Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you 14 years in jail and an unlimited fine.

LSD

LSD or ‘acid’ causes hallucinogenic ‘trips’ that usually last about 12 hours. Once a trip has started you can't stop it. You won’t be able to tell how strong the acid is it is or how it's going to affect you until you’ve taken it.

LSD is a Class A drug – it’s illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying it to someone else, including your friends, can get you a life sentence.

Nitrous-oxide or ‘laughing gas’

Nitrous-oxide is breathed in and makes sensations and perceptions disconnected. It can result in brain damage and suffocation when inhaled for a long period of time.

Possession of Nitrous-oxide in the UK for non-inhalant purpose is legal for those over 18. However those selling Nitrous-oxide can face prosecution under the Medicines Act.

MDMA or Ecstasy

MDMA, or Ecstasy can be sold in pills or grams of off-white, brown or pinkish crystals or powder. It can be snorted, smoked or dabbed on your gums.

MDMA is a Class A drug; it is illegal to reproduce, supply, or possess it.

Mephedrone, MCAT, Meow Meow

Mephedrone is a stimulant drug with effects similar to ecstasy. It can also cause you to feel anxious and paranoid and it can over stimulate the heart and nervous system, causing fits. Snorting it can cause serious nosebleeds and it has been linked to several deaths.

Mephedrone is a Class B drug and illegal to possess. This means that you could get a maximum of 5 years in jail and an unlimited fine for possession, and 14 years in jail and an unlimited fine for supplying it.

Naphyrone

Naphyrone is a stimulant drug similar to MDMA. As it is a new drug, we don’t know much about its side effects yet, but these are likely to be anxiety, paranoia, overstimulation of the heart and circulatory system and risk of fits.

Naphyrone is a Class B drug and is illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to five years in jail. Supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you up to fourteen years in jail and an unlimited fine.

Research Chemicals (Not For Human Consumption)

Research chemicals include:

2-CB
2-CT-7
2–CE

These drugs cause hallucinations and act as stimulants.

2-CB and 2CT-7 are both Class A drugs in this country. They are illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail. Supplying someone else; even among your friends can get you a life sentence and an unlimited fine.

For more information on all these drugs, visit FRANK – Drugs A-Z.

Some people may use drugs which haven't been classified to gain a euphoric effect or ‘high’. Although these drugs are not illegal to possess and can be sold in shops or on the internet, they could be just as risky as class A, B or C drugs – nobody knows yet.

Experimenting with drugs that we don’t know much about can be dangerous.

MDVP or ‘Ivory Wave’

Using MDPV can lead to the over stimulation of both the cardiac system and the nervous system, causing heart problems, agitation, hallucinations and fits. It is going to be classed as an illegal drug by the end of 2011.

(As of 15 September, compounds associated with Ivory Wave (2-DPMP and Phenazepam) are to be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.