Drugs and Alcohol                                                                    

This page discusses the affects that drugs and alcohol can have on your health and your happiness. It also shows how it can hurt the people you love. If you have a problem with drugs, alcohol or substance misuse there are people who can help you.

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More on Drugs and Alcohol...

Prescribed Drugs

Doctors prescribe drugs to individuals to assist with health problems.

However, sometimes these can be abused when someone other than the person for whom they were prescribed uses or sells the drugs. Tranquillisers (benzodiazepines) are the type most often abused and include diazepam (valium) temazepam (tems, eggs, jellies, norries).

It can be very dangerous to take drugs not prescribed for you. For further help or advice about alcohol or drug abuse contact one of the agencies listed at the bottom of this page or click here.

Illegal Drugs

There are a wide variety of illegal drugs. These can be:

• Smoked e.g Cannabis, Cocaine, Crack
• Eaten e.g Hallucinogenic Mushrooms, LSD
• Inhaled e.g Amyl Nitrates
• Snorted e.g Amphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin
• Swallowed e.g. Ecstasy, Anabolic Steroids
• Injected e.g Amphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin

There are no safety controls in the manufacture of illegal drugs, which increases the risks to users. People have died after taking just one ecstasy tablet.

There are penalties for possessing illegal drugs and dealing in illegal drugs - dealing is dealt with more severely.

Solvent Abuse

Sometimes the fumes and gases of glues, aerosols, etc. are sniffed or sprayed into the mouth. This depresses the nervous system. Solvent abuse is very dangerous and can kill instantly, even the first time it is tried. Solvents often contain dangerous chemicals, which can cause choking or asphyxiation. Accidents can also occur while under the influence of solvents.

If you need help or more information about solvent abuse or are worried about someone else, contact Re-solv.

Re-Solv is the Society for the Prevention of Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse. Re-Solv operate a Freephone National Helpline Mon-Fri 9am-5pm on 0808 800 2345 or visit www.re-solv.org.

                     To see more places that can help click here..

Alcohol

Many people enjoy alcohol as part of their social life and small amounts are not thought to be harmful to health. However, the more a person drinks the greater the risks to health and safety.

Drinking alcohol is often associated with fights and accidents and may lead to people taking greater risks or doing things they would not normally do while sober. You should never drink and drive or operate machinery. Too much alcohol can seriously damage your health and you may become dependent on it, both physically and psychologically.

If you feel you are drinking too much, see your doctor or contact one of the agencies listed below.

Al-Anon offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Visit their website at www.al-anonuk.org.uk

Alateen is part of the Al-Anon fellowship and is for young people, aged twelve to seventeen who are affected by a problem drinker. Visit their website at www.al-anonuk.org.uk/alateen/.

Drinkaware aims to change the UK’s drinking habits by promoting responsible drinking and finding new ways to challenge the national drinking.  To find out more call FREE on 0800 917 8282 for advice and information or visit the 'Know your limits' website at www.drinkaware.co.uk.

This is Drinkaware's site for young people.  Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions and access lots more useful informaiton.  Visit www.truthaboutbooze.com.

                   To see more places that can help click here..

Smoking

Smoking damages not only your own health, but also that of the people around you. It can cause cancer or heart disease. Smoking while pregnant can harm the unborn child and inhaling smoke from adults smoking around them can affect the health of children.

If you want to stop smoking and need help, or just want more information visit our smoking page by clicking here.

Where to Get Help and More Information

Below are some contact numbers and website links to organisations that can offer support, information and advice.

Young People’s Drug & Alcohol Services and Community
               Addictions Teams in Tyne and Wear

National Drugs Line: Call FREE 0800 776600 for help and advice.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.  The Tyne and Wear Alcoholics anonymous telephone number is 0191 521 4400. You can also visit their national website at www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk.

Al-Anon offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. Visit their website at www.al-anonuk.org.uk

Alateen is part of the Al-Anon fellowship and is for young people, aged twelve to seventeen who are affected by a problem drinker. Visit their website at www.al-anonuk.org.uk/alateen/.

Drinkaware aims to change the UK’s drinking habits by promoting responsible drinking and finding new ways to challenge the national drinking.  To find out more call FREE on 0800 917 8282 for advice and information or visit the 'Know your limits' website at www.drinkaware.co.uk.

This is Drinkaware's site for young people.  Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions and access lots more useful informaiton.  Visit www.truthaboutbooze.com.

South Tyneside Drug Action Team brings together local agencies involved in tackling the misuse of drugs, including the health authority, local police, probation, social services, education and youth services and the voluntary sector. Visit their website at www.STdrugactionteam.com.

D’n’A is for Young People under the age of 19, who live in Newcastle and need help to address alcohol or drug use and related problems. D’n’A provide information, advice, prevention, assessment of needs, harm minimisation, one-to-one support, access to detoxification / substitute prescribing and relapse prevention.  They can also help with training/employment, health, benefits and housing.  Call DnA FREE on 0800 073 0470, Text: 07624 809 620 or visit www.dnanewcastle.com.

YDAP is the Youth Drug and Alcohol Project in Sunderland.  They provide information, advice and support on substance use and related issues to young people and their families. You can find them at 11 John Street, Sunderland. Tel 0191 566 3159 or visit www.ydap.co.uk.

Talk To Frank is a great website that gives the real facts about drugs. For free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day talk to FRANK by calling the FREE helpline on 0800 77 66 00 or visit their website at www.talktofrank.com.

Jonny Longlife provides information and advice about a healthier lifestyle. Whether you want advice on substance abuse, sex education, fitness facilities or bullying, this website can help or point you in the right direction. Visit the Jonny Longlife website at www.jonnylonglife.com.

Narcotics Anonymous is a non-profit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. If you want to stop using, visit www.ukna.org.

Addiction: Do you need help? Do you need information about drugs? Are you a young person with concerns about drugs and/or alcohol? Are you a parent worried about drugs? Addiction is a leading UK charity working solely in the field of drug and alcohol treatment. To find out more about addiction please visit their website at www.addaction.org.uk.

The North East Regional Alcohol Forum offers help and support to problematic drinkers throughout the North East. For more information please visit their website at www.neraf.org.

Re-Solv is the Society for the Prevention of Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse. Re-Solv operate a Freephone National Helpline Mon-Fri 9am-5pm on 0808 800 2345 or visit www.re-solv.org.

The National Youth Agency aims to promote young people's personal and social development, and their voice, influence and place in society.

The Agency also works to improve and extend youth services and youth work; to increase youth participation in society; and to promote effective youth policy and provision. Visit their website at www.youthinformation.com.

Streetwise are a great local source of help. Streetwise work in partnership with other agencies to offer information, advice, support and counselling services to young people aged 13 to 25. For help and advice call Streetwise on 0191 230 5400 or visit their website at www.streetwisenorth.co.uk.

The Site is an excellent website which offers a wide range of help, advice and information. TheSite.org covers issues such as Sex and Relationships, Drugs and Alcohol, Health, Home, Law and Money, Travel and Free Time, Work and Study.  Visit www.thesite.org.

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