Sussed About Drugs - Safer drug and alcohol use

The only way of staying safe from drugs is not to use them! But if someone is determined to use drugs then equipping them with ways they can reduce the risk of using drugs is essential. When we say safer use we don't mean risk free! As long as someone chooses to use drugs they will always be exposing themselves to some risk but by following some of our tips they can reduce that risk.

This section contains general tips to follow to reduce the risk of harm when using drugs. For more specific information when using drugs visit our A-Z of Drugs and see the Safer Use section for each drug.

Before taking any drugs think about these points...

All drug experiences are affected by the way you are feeling at the time. So try not to use drugs if you are feeling ill, depressed or anxious- it could make you feel much worse!
Expect to feel rough the next day and possibly later in the week due to a hangover or comedown.
Eat a good meal a few hours before you go out, having an empty stomach can make you feel sick and light headed.
Try not to use drugs if you are alone or in a place where you won't be found if something goes wrong- you may need help or just someone to talk with if you start to feel bad.
Avoid using drugs in dangerous situations, such as when you are in unfamiliar places or with people you don't know, this could make you more vulnerable to being attacked.
There is no way of knowing the exact strength of drugs you buy on the street, what you get is anyone's guess! Street drugs could be cut with anything! Take a small amount to start with and wait for the effects before deciding whether to take more. There is no guarantee how a drug will make you feel.
Mixing drugs (including alcohol) can be very dangerous. Try not to mix drugs as it will put a much greater strain on your body and the effects can be unpredictable. Keep an eye on your friends.
Injecting drugs is one of the most dangerous ways of getting a drug into your body but if you are going to inject, follow these tips to reduce the risk:

always use sterile injecting gear every time and never share your gear
don't inject when you are on your own, if you overdose it's important someone is there to call an ambulance and to look after you.

If you are going dancing and using drugs like ecstasy it's important to make sure you are hydrated and that you don't overheat. Try to drink (sip don't gulp) a pint of water or soft drink every hour but don't drink too much as this can be dangerous. If you are feeling too hot, take a rest from dancing somewhere cool or get some fresh air.

The next day...

Try to eat and drink something to help your body recover, for example, water or fruit juice. Don't drink lots of tea or coffee as this will only dehydrate you more and keep you awake.
Don't be tempted to take more drugs to help with the come down. Coming down is part of the experience. Be gentle with yourself.

Getting Home...

Don't be a passenger with someone who you suspect has used drugs or alcohol.
Remember to keep taxi money separately so you've always got a safe ride home, or club together with your mates.
Keep the number of a taxi company on your mobile phone
Stick together with your mates on the way home
Don't accept lifts from people you don't know.

If something goes wrong...

If you start to feel sick or anxious tell your friends straight away.
If someone does start to feel bad act immediately. Go somewhere quiet and try to keep them calm.

If Somebody Collapses

If someone collapses after taking drugs or alcohol, turn them on their side and put them in the recovery position. Check to see if they have anything in their mouth and that their airway is clear.
Call an ambulance. If you know what the person has taken tell the medical staff. They are there to help and this could help save the person's life.

What happens when you ring 999?

If someone has overdosed from drugs they need the ambulance to arrive as soon as possible- this could save their life!
The police will not normally accompany the ambulance crew in cases of drugs overdose but if the operator hears shouting they may become worried about the safety of the ambulance crew and will ask the police to attend- so stay calm.
If you know what drugs your friend has taken, tell the medical staff, it will make treating your friend much faster.
Remember, the medical staff are primarily concerned with helping your friend, so work with them.


	Safer Drug Use
	The only way of staying safe from drugs is not to use them! But if someone is determined to use drugs then equipping them with ways they can reduce the risk of using drugs is essential. When we say safer use we don't mean risk free! As long as someone chooses to use drugs they will always be exposing themselves to some risk but by following some of our tips they can reduce that risk. This section contains general tips to follow to reduce the risk of harm when using drugs. For more specific information when using drugs visit our A-Z of Drugs and see the Safer Use section for each drug. Before taking any drugs think about these points... All drug experiences are affected by the way you are feeling at the time. So try not to use drugs if you are feeling ill, depressed or anxious- it could make you feel much worse! Expect to feel rough the next day and possibly later in the week due to a hangover or comedown. Eat a good meal a few hours before you go out, having an empty stomach can make you feel sick and light headed. Try not to use drugs if you are alone or in a place where you won't be found if something goes wrong- you may need help or just someone to talk with if you start to feel bad. Avoid using drugs in dangerous situations, such as when you are in unfamiliar places or with people you don't know, this could make you more vulnerable to being attacked. There is no way of knowing the exact strength of drugs you buy on the street, what you get is anyone's guess! Street drugs could be cut with anything! Take a small amount to start with and wait for the effects before deciding whether to take more. There is no guarantee how a drug will make you feel. Mixing drugs (including alcohol) can be very dangerous. Try not to mix drugs as it will put a much greater strain on your body and the effects can be unpredictable. Keep an eye on your friends. Injecting drugs is one of the most dangerous ways of getting a drug into your body but if you are going to inject, follow these tips to reduce the risk: always use sterile injecting gear every time and never share your gear don't inject when you are on your own, if you overdose it's important someone is there to call an ambulance and to look after you. If you are going dancing and using drugs like ecstasy it's important to make sure you are hydrated and that you don't overheat. Try to drink (sip don't gulp) a pint of water or soft drink every hour but don't drink too much as this can be dangerous. If you are feeling too hot, take a rest from dancing somewhere cool or get some fresh air. The next day... Try to eat and drink something to help your body recover, for example, water or fruit juice. Don't drink lots of tea or coffee as this will only dehydrate you more and keep you awake. Don't be tempted to take more drugs to help with the come down. Coming down is part of the experience. Be gentle with yourself. Getting Home... Don't be a passenger with someone who you suspect has used drugs or alcohol. Remember to keep taxi money separately so you've always got a safe ride home, or club together with your mates. Keep the number of a taxi company on your mobile phone Stick together with your mates on the way home Don't accept lifts from people you don't know. If something goes wrong... If you start to feel sick or anxious tell your friends straight away. If someone does start to feel bad act immediately. Go somewhere quiet and try to keep them calm. If Somebody Collapses If someone collapses after taking drugs or alcohol, turn them on their side and put them in the recovery position. Check to see if they have anything in their mouth and that their airway is clear. Call an ambulance. If you know what the person has taken tell the medical staff. They are there to help and this could help save the person's life. What happens when you ring 999? If someone has overdosed from drugs they need the ambulance to arrive as soon as possible- this could save their life! The police will not normally accompany the ambulance crew in cases of drugs overdose but if the operator hears shouting they may become worried about the safety of the ambulance crew and will ask the police to attend- so stay calm. If you know what drugs your friend has taken, tell the medical staff, it will make treating your friend much faster. Remember, the medical staff are primarily concerned with helping your friend, so work with them.