Sussed About Drugs - Drugs, alcohol and sex

It's completely normal for young people to be a bit nervous about sex and for some of them using alcohol and drugs can make them feel more relaxed and less shy. Although some people report increased confidence when using some drugs like Ecstasy, there's really little evidence that drugs make you better in bed! In fact, many drugs can have the opposite effect and make sex less enjoyable by reducing your sexual performance.

Although drugs may make some people feel more confident about sex, they can also affect their judgement. This can mean people end up having sex without using a condom or they might sleep with someone before they are ready. They could even end up sleeping with someone that they don't want to and really regret it.

Sex & Drugs- a dodgy mix!

Using drugs or alcohol can make people more vulnerable when it comes to sex. This can be through affecting their judgement, so they might sleep with someone when their not ready. They can also be at increased risk of sexual assault. A recent news story found that over a third of young women had been sexually assaulted while drunk (See Sussed News).
The consequences of unprotected sex can be pregnancy, HIV, hepatitis and a whole host of sexual infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and herpes. The best way of avoiding any of these is to use a condom. Whether male or female carrying condoms and using them is important.

Staying Safe...

Drug rape or drug-assisted sexual assault is something we should all be aware of. It happens when someone slips a drug into your drink, also known as spiking your drink, using Tranquilliser drugs such as Rohypnol, or drugs like GHB (cigarettes can also be spiked!). Remember that Alcohol is probably the most common drug used in drug rape, people should be aware of how much they are drinking! The more someone drinks the more vulnerable they become.

Advice and tips for young people...

Before going out, be clear about how you are getting home, keep some money separate for a taxi home.
When you go out, make sure someone knows where you are going and who you are with. If you're going out with friends, make sure you look after each other.
Don't leave your drink unattended, get a mate to keep an eye on it for you.
Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know and don't trust. If you do want to accept a drink, a bottle is best, make sure that it's opened in front of you, or better still, open it yourself. Remember cigarettes can also be spiked- don't accept cigarettes from strangers.
If you start to feel strange or really drunk after only a few, tell a friend straight away or call someone you trust to come and get you.
Drug rape happens to men as well as women.Using drugs or alcohol can make people more vulnerable when it comes to sex. This can be through affecting their judgement, so they might sleep with someone when their not ready. They can also be at increased risk of sexual assault. A recent news story found that over a third of young women had been sexually assaulted while drunk (See Sussed News).
The consequences of unprotected sex can be pregnancy, HIV, hepatitis and a whole host of sexual infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and herpes. The best way of avoiding any of these is to use a condom. Whether male or female carrying condoms and using them is important.


	Sex & Drugs
	It's completely normal for young people to be a bit nervous about sex and for some of them using alcohol and drugs can make them feel more relaxed and less shy. Although some people report increased confidence when using some drugs like Ecstasy, there's really little evidence that drugs make you better in bed! In fact, many drugs can have the opposite effect and make sex less enjoyable by reducing your sexual performance. Although drugs may make some people feel more confident about sex, they can also affect their judgement. This can mean people end up having sex without using a condom or they might sleep with someone before they are ready. They could even end up sleeping with someone that they don't want to and really regret it. Sex & Drugs- a dodgy mix! Using drugs or alcohol can make people more vulnerable when it comes to sex. This can be through affecting their judgement, so they might sleep with someone when their not ready. They can also be at increased risk of sexual assault. A recent news story found that over a third of young women had been sexually assaulted while drunk (See Sussed News). The consequences of unprotected sex can be pregnancy, HIV, hepatitis and a whole host of sexual infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and herpes. The best way of avoiding any of these is to use a condom. Whether male or female carrying condoms and using them is important. Staying Safe... Drug rape or drug-assisted sexual assault is something we should all be aware of. It happens when someone slips a drug into your drink, also known as spiking your drink, using Tranquilliser drugs such as Rohypnol, or drugs like GHB (cigarettes can also be spiked!). Remember that Alcohol is probably the most common drug used in drug rape, people should be aware of how much they are drinking! The more someone drinks the more vulnerable they become. Advice and tips for young people... Before going out, be clear about how you are getting home, keep some money separate for a taxi home. When you go out, make sure someone knows where you are going and who you are with. If you're going out with friends, make sure you look after each other. Don't leave your drink unattended, get a mate to keep an eye on it for you. Don't accept a drink from someone you don't know and don't trust. If you do want to accept a drink, a bottle is best, make sure that it's opened in front of you, or better still, open it yourself. Remember cigarettes can also be spiked- don't accept cigarettes from strangers. If you start to feel strange or really drunk after only a few, tell a friend straight away or call someone you trust to come and get you. Drug rape happens to men as well as women.Using drugs or alcohol can make people more vulnerable when it comes to sex. This can be through affecting their judgement, so they might sleep with someone when their not ready. They can also be at increased risk of sexual assault. A recent news story found that over a third of young women had been sexually assaulted while drunk (See Sussed News). The consequences of unprotected sex can be pregnancy, HIV, hepatitis and a whole host of sexual infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis and herpes. The best way of avoiding any of these is to use a condom. Whether male or female carrying condoms and using them is important.