A DRUGS

 A DRUGS

A drug is any chemical substance that you put in or on your body that changes how your body or brain works. Drugs are often taken for medical or recreational reasons. Drugs taken for medical reasons can be prescribed by a doctor or accessed
over the counter at supermarkets or pharmacies. People aged 18 and

over can legally purchase some recreational drugs, e.g. alcohol and tobacco, but other drugs, such as marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD and amphetamines are illegal.

People take different types of recreational drugs for many different reasons - to relax, to help them focus, as part of socialising, because they're addicted, to fit in, because they're bored or curious, or to escape their problems.  Drug use can impact on your physical and mental health, and you can also become addicted, but there are places where you can get help with dealing with drug-related issues. If you think you could use some help, you should visit your GP or another health professional.
Drugs are made illegal when they pose serious risk to people’s health. Taking illegal drugs can be dangerous because, apart from the negative health impacts of the drug itself, there is no quality control over what you’re taking. You've got no way of knowing how strong or weak the drug is, or whether there are other dangerous substances mixed into it which could cause serious health issues. It’s possible that you might take way too much, or even different stuff to what you were after. If you get caught with illegal drugs by the police you can be arrested and charged.

by: 201310410311052