It is not unusual for young people to be curious about drugs or alcohol and to feel pressure to experiment with them.

Most young people do not have any problems when they do this but there are some important things to remember if you do choose to try drinking or taking drugs:

Under the Influence

If you or anyone else you know are concerned about drug or alcohol use you can:

There are many websites out there with information about drugs but remember information may vary. Try to stick to sites which are properly vetted and regulated like the ones above.

  • Don’t feel you have to overdo it to impress your friends. Like sex a lot of young people will exaggerate their experiences to impress their mates.
  • If you do use drugs or alcohol use as little as you can to get the effect you want.
  • Don’t take alcohol or drugs from, or with, people you don’t know or trust.  Unfortunately sometimes people will use drugs or alcohol to exploit young people.
  • Never leave a mate alone who has got into difficulty using drink or drugs. If someone collapses or is struggling to stay conscious get them help as soon as possible. You won’t get into trouble for helping.
  • Don’t be afraid to tell ambulance or hospital staff if someone has had any drugs or solvents as this will help them treat the person properly.
  • If someone gets scared when they are under the influence try to reassure them and take them somewhere they feel safe. Don’t make fun of someone in this position as it could lead to problems for them later on and ruin any friendship you have.
All information © Choices 2007.
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