tobaccofreeprogram.com

Drug use and abuse is a widespread issue in modern society. Many parents nowadays are obviously worried their children could start to try drugs or booze. Adolescents are particularly at risk as it is an age when many of them will begin to try out these substances. Knowing many of the warning signs of drug use as well as the effects it can have is certainly a big help. However dependable information is often hard to come by.

Thankfully there are many of sources of information that you can turn to if you suspect that someone you know may be abusing drugs. The best place to look is of course on the web. There are a number of web sites that can be used to get clear and concise advice without the hyperbole that often surrounds drug use. You can use these sources to gaina deeper understanding of the most widely used drugs and the negative effects they can have. Here is a quick look at the most commonly used drugs and substances:

Alcohol

Alcohol is a drug just like any other. Though it may be a legal drug it can have many health and social implications particularly if it is used by younger people. As alcohol is widely available it is among the first drugs that lots of teenagers will experiment with. Teenage and binge drinking has become a lot more widespread in recent years and the number of young people hospitalised as a result of drinking reached record numbers in 2010. The effects alcohol can have include both long and short-term effects on wellbeing and can bring about a number of long-term conditions.

Marijuana

Following alcohol cannabis is the drug that many young people will probably encounter. Even though it is often seen as being comparatively harmless it can result in severe health conditions. It can have a number of long term implications for both mental and physical health. Prolonged use of the drug can result in conditions like paranoia, schizophrenia and may also hinder the correct functioning of the immune mechanism.

Amphetamines

Also called speed or ice it is generally available as a powder that’s snorted or smoked. The effects of the drug can vary from person to person but in most cases it produces a feeling of euphoria, excitement and energy. Using amphetamines places the body under a considerable level of stress. In the short term it leads to elevated heart rate and high blood pressure levels. Lasting effects may include stroke, heart failure, paranoia and depressive disorders.

These are only some of the young people drugs that can be found on the streets of Australia. If you are worried about drug use of someone you know it pays to be informed.

Tags: young people drugs