Drugs action and advice
The Drugs
Find out more about drugs - what to look out for, what their effects are and what the law says.
Know the signs of drug taking
It
is often difficult to tell if someone is using drugs as different
substances can affect people in different ways.
Below are some of the signs to look for although they are not absolute proof of drug use. Some of these could simply be normal signs of growing up:
- Sudden changes in mood and behaviour from happy and energetic to moody and irritable
- Secretiveness
- Deceitfulness
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Stealing money or goods
- Excessive spending or borrowing money
How to recognise the drugs
There
is no easy way to identify illegal substances except by analysis.
However, signs to look out for can include:
- Small plastic or elaborately folded paper wraps
- Burnt foil and spoons, syringes and small bottles
- A herbal substance or a solid, crumbly brown resin
- Shredded cigarettes
- Unusual pills, powders or liquids in small quantities
- Strong, sickly sweet, smoky smell