There are many myths and misunderstandings about drugs. Young people are especially vulnerable when it comes to the whole 'Drug Culture' thing. This page gives a brief insight into what drugs really are and what they can do to someone who uses them.

So what is a drug?
Well a Drug can be described as ‘any chemical substance taken into the body which causes a change in body function, mood/feelings, thinking and/or behaviour.’ This can include things like alcohol, coffee (caffeine), tobacco (nicotine), prescribed drugs, and over the counter medicines, as well as, of course, illegal drugs.

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Who uses drugs? And why?
You can see from the definition that most people, at some time in their lives, take drugs. Take Caffeine, for example: it’s a stimulant; this means that it stimulates the nervous system, helping people to feel less tired and appear to have more energy. But even caffeine, if taken in extreme quantities, can have harmful effects on the body!

Many people take drugs for medical reasons. For some, the drugs they take will keep them alive. For others, it may just be to get rid of a headache. However, take too many Paracetamols and you’re in trouble!

Some people misuse drugs and take them for different reasons than they were intended. Many of these are used in a so-called ‘recreational’ way. This means that individuals don’t need to take the drug but they like the feeling it gives them. Many of these kinds of drugs are illegal to take and carry with them the possibility of a fine or even imprisonment. They can be in the form of prescription medicines and/or illegally acquired drugs.

Some people manage to use this kind of drug with no apparent or obvious problems if they have a network of people who can give advice, they keep strictly to rules of frequency of use, have other things in life besides using drugs, and have a circle of friends that include non users.

However, an individual who takes drugs in this ‘recreational’ way can become ‘dependant’ on them. This means that they can’t live without the drug. Taking the drug may become a dominant thing in their life, sometimes at the expense of relationships, work and health. It may lower their self-esteem and be, for them, an unpleasurable activity.

Lots of people experiment with drugs when they are young. They may experience pressure from their friends. However, remember that you shouldn’t feel forced into doing anything. If your friends are pressurising you to take drugs, you should ask yourself what kind of friends would pressurise you in such a way, what issues they have, or if they know all the facts around the drug they want you to take.

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What effect do drugs have?
Obviously, different drugs have different effects on the body and many carry dangers. Some drugs, if taken in excess or in the wrong way, can be life threatening. The same drug can have a different effect on each person, so the dangers are unpredictable!

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What kind of drugs are there?
The majority of drugs fall into four categories:

Stimulants – these cause stimulation of the nervous system and the release of extra adrenaline. People using them cease to feel hungry or tired and appear to have boundless supplies of energy.

Examples are: nicotine, caffeine, amphetamine, cocaine/crack, ecstasy.

Depressants - these dampen down the nervous activity and cause people to become calm and relaxed. In high doses they can cause feelings of drunkeness, drowsiness and pleasure. Users cease to care what’s happening around them.

Examples are: alcohol, solvents, Diazepam, Temazepam.

Hallucinogens – these affect the way that things are perceived. Milder versions simply heighten the senses, whilst stronger drugs may give hallucinations and/or delirium.

Examples are: LSD, Magic Mushrooms, Cannabis, Ecstasy, Ketamine

Analgesics (Pain killers) – when used in high doses or in the absence of pain, they give people a feeling of being warm and safe, cut off from or floating above reality.

Examples are: Opium, Heroin, Methadone, Morphine, Ketamine.

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What if I am tempted to use drugs?
Anyone who is tempted to use drugs should consider the effects. This means how the drug will make you feel, what it is doing to your body, and what side effects it will have. How it will make you behave, and how you will feel after the drug has worn off. Remember that the same drug can have different effects on different people. So the effect it has on a friend may not be the same on you if you decided to try it.

The physical effects: You won’t always be aware of all the physical effects of drugs, even when the feeling has worn off. Some drugs can cause temporary or permanent physical damage. If you’re not in full control of yourself because you have taken drugs you can be susceptible to other dangers. With some drugs your inhibitions are lowered which may be a danger to your safety.

The emotional effects: Think about what can happen when under the influence of drugs and how you will feel when the drug begins to wear off.

The long term effect: With some drugs you can develop a tolerance. This means that the user will need to take more and more of the drug to get the same effect.

Becoming dependant: Some drugs have a so-called ‘addictive’ quality, and many people go from using drugs now and again to needing them all the time. Doing this can spoil your friendships, your work, your family, and the way you feel towards yourself. It can become so important - at the expense of everything else.

Why you want to take them: For example, are you being pressurised to use drugs by your friends, even though you don’t want to?

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The Law
Remember, many drugs are illegal to take, and some are illegal if you are under a certain age. You will be breaking the law and could face a fine, or even imprisonment.

The cost

Using drugs can be an expensive activity, especially if someone becomes dependant on them.

What does the Church say about drugs? - some thoughts
Obviously, the Bible doesn’t say anything explicit about specific drugs, though there are references to alcohol, especially its misuse, and becoming drunk. However, the Bible and the Church do lay down certain guidelines and ground rules about living a particular way of life, which should influence our perspective on drug use.

The Christian life is centred on God. We should ask why we would need to misuse drugs in such a way that they become more important than God or affect the way we live our lives.

St Paul said, ‘Your Body is a temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit…honour God in your body.’ (1 Corinthians 6:19) Taking drugs can be harmful to your body. We should consider this in wider terms, too. Eating healthily, taking exercise, and so on. Many drugs if misused can be physically harmful and have both short term and long-term effects. If we misuse drugs then we are not really valuing our body and all God has given us. St Paul, in another example, also talks about those have been given up to ‘the consequent degradation of their bodies (Romans 1:24)

When people become dependent on drugs it can lower their self-esteem. This means that they may think that they don’t like themselves very much. Jesus showed us that we are highly valued and loved by God. In one instance, he said, ‘Even the hairs of your head have all be counted. So do not be afraid, you are worth more than any number of sparrows.’ (Mathew 10:30). So think about how you feel towards yourself.

Misusing drugs can often spoil your friendships. Jesus valued friendships and, in fact, said to his apostles, ‘No longer do I call you servants…I have called you friends.’ (John 15: 15).

Many people take drugs to make life exciting or to give them a ‘high’. Jesus said, ‘I have come that they may have life, and may have it in all its fullness. (John 10:10).

Some people take drugs to escape from the reality of life. However, there are plenty of people to help us through difficult times in life. Jesus said that life would be difficult at times, but there is always a way through it.

Using certain drugs is against the law. Christians should obey the law in order to help create a good and fair society.

Many drugs that are available to people are fuelled by street crime, violence, theft, money laundering, etc. Using drugs, then, can contribute to this kind of activity.

St Paul said, when talking about having freedom in Christ: "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12). Taking drugs may cause loss of control, and may even control the user if they are not careful.

In New Testament times, drinking alcohol was a natural part of daily living, and wine was common. However, in the New Testament we are encouraged not to get drunk. Remember, there is a difference between using drugs, such as alcohol, sensibly and using them excessively.

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Where can I find more help and information?
Whether you are a young person who wants to know more about the facts, or you know someone who is taking drugs, or you are concerned about them there is information available.

There are many web sites and local groups that can provide more in depth information on drugs, drugs use and misuse. The following sites can give you details about different types of drug, what effects they have, and where to get help.

www.talktofrank.com

www.thesite.org.uk

www.drugworld.co.uk

www.teengrowth.org

This is a site specifically set up for young people and addresses all areas and issues that may affect young people and has a message board where young people are asking questions or presenting situations and answers are provided.

www.drugstraining.co.uk - for professionals and those interested in drugs training.

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