Information on Drugs

On this page you can find out about:

Why is taking drugs dangerous?
Myth Buster – test your knowledge
Drugs cut with dangerous substances
Where to get help – Talk to FRANK, Know the Score, Turning Point Suffolk
Drugs and Crime – Drug driving

“Why is taking drugs dangerous?“

There are lots of risks involved in taking any drug. Drugs can cause addictive behaviour and affect your mental health!

People sometimes misuse drugs to help them cope with other issues in their life, but it’s important to get help to cope in healthier ways, and find support if needed.

Myth buster

You can trust what are in drugs when you buy them online

This is a myth. Drugs are increasingly cut with dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which have killed 100s of people in the UK in the past year. It doesn’t matter where you get them from.

Only “hard” drugs like cocaine and heroin are addictive

This is a myth. Nicotine in cigarettes is more addictive than heroin and cocaine. Alcohol and marijuana can be addictive as well. Even drugs prescribed by a doctor, like painkillers, can lead to addiction.

Addicts can stop anytime they want

This is also a myth. With addiction, there are issues like dependence, where your body physically needs the drug in order to function. And withdrawal from this dependency can be dangerous.

Current dangerous drug trends

The government has launched a new campaign to alert young people to the dangers of taking drugs. This comes following a worrying rise in the number of young people being harmed by drugs.

Here are some particular risks highlighted by experts including:

– Potentially irreparable damage ketamine can cause to your bladder

– The dangers of counterfeit medicines purchased online, which can contain deadly synthetic opioids

– The risks from so-called ‘THC vapes’ that often contain dangerous synthetic cannabinoids like spice rather than THC

Drugs cut with dangerous substances

Drugs are increasingly cut with dangerous synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which have killed 100s of people in the UK in the past year. More information here.

You never really know what is in any street drug or counterfeit medicine, whether purchased online or on the street. Be cautious of any drug sold illegally, including by illicit online pharmacies.

Drugs that contain ‘nitazenes’ are killing people across the UK. These are highly dangerous synthetic opioids which have been found in a wide range of drugs that people have taken on nights out, to help them sleep or to self-medicate.

“Where can I find advice and support about drugs and alcohol?“

Know the Score is a free, anonymous Webchat service for anyone over the age of 13 who needs support with drug use. You can also use Talk to FRANK or Turning Point.

Get support for your emotional wellbeing via our ‘Ease My Mind’ Emotional Wellbeing Directory

Looking for more honest information about Drugs? Visit the Talk to Frank website

For information and support on drug-related issues, visit TALK TO FRANK or call the FRANK helpline on 0300 123 6600.

Support in Suffolk from Turning Point

Worried about yourself or someone you know who is misusing drugs or needs support?

Visit Turning Point: Support we offer | Drugs and alcohol

They work across Suffolk and they can meet you anywhere you feel most comfortable. You can refer yourself to the Turning Point service via their website or helpline.

Young people have told us that the stigma around drink and drugs would prevent them from asking for support. However, if you would like things to change, Turning Point is there to help.
Turning Point, Suffolk

If you, a family member or friend need advice about substance misuse, or would like to find out how to access support and treatment, you can contact ‘Turning Point’ for help:

Call: Turning Point on 0300 123 0872
Email: [email protected]
Visit:Wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/suffolk

Drugs and crime

If you are caught with drugs or intend to supply then you are breaking the law. Find out more about the laws on drugs and drug use on the Gov website.

Drug-driving

Drug-driving, including after using a legal high, is illegal. It’s illegal to drive if either:

you’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal (prescription or over-the-counter medicines) or illegal drugs
you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood (even if they have not affected your driving)

The police can stop you and make you do a ‘field impairment assessment’ if they think you’re on drugs. This is a series of tests, for example asking you to walk in a straight line, or they can also use a roadside drug kit to screen you for cannabis and cocaine. If they think you’re unfit to drive because of taking drugs, you’ll be arrested and will have to take a blood or urine test at a police station. You could be charged with a crime if the test shows you’ve taken drugs.