Top tips for reducing risks
- Avoid mixing drugs. You are much more likely to overdose or to have a serious problem
- Avoid taking heroin or cocaine, particularly crack cocaine. Most experts agree that these two drugs are the most risky. It is easier to get addicted or to overdose with these drugs
- Avoid injecting drugs. It is dangerous and sharing needles can lead to serious infections
- Avoid overdoing it – taking too much can affect your health, your relationships and your life
- Recognise when your drug use is becoming a problem. Are you spending too much time, energy and money on drugs? Is it affecting your health and wellbeing? Cut down on your drug use and spend time with friends who don't use drugs
- Think about how to deal with an emergency. Learn how to put someone in the recovery position. If someone collapses call an ambulance at once. Tell the medics what the person has taken and when. As long as you are not carrying anything illegal you will not get into trouble and you could save their life
- Many drugs are against the law. If the police find drugs on you they can arrest you. If you give or sell drugs to anyone else, the police can arrest you for dealing
- Never go in a car with a driver who has been taking drugs or drinking alcohol
- Using drugs, including alcohol is often linked with unsafe sex. Always use a condom
Talk to someone for help and advice about drugs. Use the contact details on this website or email us for more information.
You should email your problems to whatsup@southglos.gov.uk
Note that emails sent to What's UP will only be answered every two weeks. In an emergency you could use one of the emergency contacts on the main What's Up? topic page within the 'Read more' section.