Drugs and Alcohol
Drugs and alcohol exert a powerful influence on our lives, affecting people from all walks of life, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The impact of drugs and alcohol can be made even more significant for people with SEND, as they already manage their unique set of challenges in their daily lives.
What is a Drug?
A drug is something that, when you put it in your body, can change how you think, feel, or act.
Some drugs are against the law, like cannabis, ketamine, and MDMA. But there are also other things that can be dangerous when used the wrong way, like glues, sprays, medicines, alcohol, tobacco, and other new substances that affect the way you think, feel and behave.
The culture of drug use is always changing and lately social media and the internet has made access to illegal drugs easier than ever before.
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-drug...
Most people will take a pill, receive an injection, or otherwise take some kind of medicine during their lives. But most of us don’t know anything about how these substances actually work. How can various compounds impact the way we physically feel, think, and even behave? Sara Garofalo explains how some drugs can alter the communication between cells in the brain.
Lesson by Sara Garofalo, directed by Adriatic Animation.
The Risks
It's important to understand the potential dangers of drugs and make informed decisions. Seeking help if you or someone you know is struggling with drug use is crucial to avoiding or addressing these risks.
Imagine if you have SEND – things like communicating, making friends, or dealing with certain feelings can be really hard. Sometimes, drugs and alcohol might seem like a way to escape these tough situations, even if it's just for a little while. They might make you feel less worried or more connected to others.
But there's a tricky part. When people with SEND use drugs or alcohol, it can get complicated. Their bodies might react in different ways, and the bad things that can happen might be worse for them. And sometimes, it's not easy for them to understand what's going on or what might happen next.
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Many drugs can have harmful effects on the body. They might damage organs, disrupt the normal functioning of the brain, and weaken the immune system. Long-term drug use can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, lung damage, and mental health disorders.
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Some drugs are addictive, meaning that they can lead to physical and psychological dependence. When a person becomes addicted, they feel like they can't function properly without the drug, which can lead to a downward spiral of using more and more.
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Drugs can make a person's ability to think clearly and make good decisions difficult. This can lead to risky behaviors such as driving under the influence, engaging in unsafe activities, or putting themselves in dangerous situations.
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Different people can react to drugs in different ways. What might be safe for one person could be extremely harmful to another. Also, some drugs are mixed with unknown or harmful substances, increasing the risk of unexpected reactions.
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The use of certain drugs is illegal in many places. Getting caught with illegal drugs can lead to serious legal consequences, including arrest and imprisonment.
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Drug use can strain relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. It can lead to conflicts, breakups, and isolation as people might distance themselves from those using drugs.
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Drugs can be expensive to buy, leading to financial strain. People might prioritise buying drugs over other important needs, causing further problems.
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Some drugs can worsen or trigger mental health conditions, leading to anxiety, depression, paranoia, or other psychological issues.
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Taking too much of a drug, whether intentionally or accidentally, can result in overdose, which can be fatal.
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Drug use can interfere with education, work, and overall life goals. It can limit opportunities and stop personal growth.
Staying Safe
Being drug-free is the safest choice. Saying no to drugs can be hard, especially when offered by friends or people you know. However, it's essential to listen to yourself and not give in to pressure. Making decisions based on what feels right for you will help avoid regrets later on.
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Try to prepare yourself. Think about how you will respond if you are offered drugs so you will know what to say.
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Surround yourself with people who you trust. Friends should understand and respect you for saying no. Think about who is offering you the drugs and why. If they are your friends they should understand and respect you for saying no. People who you don't know may also expect something in return.
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Say ‘no’ firmly but clearly and without making a big deal about it. If they try to persuade you, don’t’ feel like you have to change your mind.
If you think you would find it hard to say no to your friends if you were offered drugs by them. Take a step back and think about whether it is time to find some new people to hang around with.
Before trying anything new it makes sense to find out about it in advance. You can talk to your HSIS Youth Worker in school or contact Response Drug and Alcohol team on 01516664123 for advice and support. You can also visit talktofrank.com to find out about the drug and the effect it may have.
Never mix drugs with alcohol or any other substance as this can quickly lead to overdose.
If you are worried about your mates being pressured don't keep it to yourself talk to them, someone you trust or seek support from a service.
What to do in an emergency
If you are with someone who needs medical help because they have used drugs or alcohol do not wait to see if they get better.
Call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Stay calm, keep talking to them and always stay with them.
If they are unconscious (not responding to you), sleepy or passed out. Lie them on their side, tilt their head back and stop them from rolling backwards. (Recovery position)
This will keep their airway cope, ensuring they can breathe.
You might be worried that you will get into trouble for calling an ambulance. You may get told off at home, maybe you’ll even get grounded, but you will have helped save your friends life. In the end your family will be happy and reassured you know what to do in an emergency.
Sleep expert Matthew Walker breaks down the many effects of sleep deprivation on your brain and body. Video from TechInsider
The Recovery Position
By placing someone in the recovery position, you are making sure that they are still breathing and can breathe easily, as it’s not unusual for someone who has become unconscious for their tongue to block their airway. You are also making sure that if they vomit, it will not block their airway and choke them.
1. Open their airway by tilting the head and lifting their chin. Lie them on their side and straighten their legs.
2. Place the arm nearest to you at right angles to the body. Get hold of the far leg just above the knee and pull it up, keeping the foot flat on the ground. Place their other hand against their cheek.
3. Keep their hand pressed against their cheek and pull on the upper leg to roll them towards you and onto their side.
4. Tilt the head back so they can breathe easily.
5. Make sure that both the hip and the knee of the upper leg are bent at right angles.
Further Support
Response
If you, or someone you know is having problems with drug and/or alcohol misuse Response can provide help and support. Response offers a wide range of support for young people, aged 13 - 19, including drugs & alcohol, counselling and lifestyle support.
To contact the team call 0151 666 4123 or email response@wirral.gov.uk
We encourage anyone looking for advice to call us, Monday to Friday 9am-8pm.
Health Services in Schools Youth Workers
HSIS Youth Workers support young people in Wirral Secondary Schools, Wirral Sixth Form College and Wirral Met College.
Each school/college has a designated HSIS Youth Worker that provides young people with an opportunity to access confidential support on any issues which may be affecting them.
We provide support to young people on a wide range of issues and topics such as: building resilience, reducing risks, healthy relationships, sexual Health (including issuing condoms in some schools) drugs, alcohol, emotional health, Stress and Anxiety.
To find your youth worker visit their page.
KOOTH
Kooth is an online young persons (11-25) mental health support website. Offering a magazine, daily journal, discussion boards, and live chat with the specialist team.
What is Kooth?
Kooth.com is an online counselling and support service offering a 24 hour source of help for Wirral's 11 to 25 year olds, with information and links to many different agencies and services. Kooth.com offers young people an opportunity to access help and support through our online chat room, where young people can drop in and/or book one to one chat sessions with a member of the Kooth team.
SHOUT
Shout is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s the first free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Shout is available in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer
or
Text BLUE to 85258 to get resources and sign posting information.
Every texter is connected with a real-life human being trained to bring people from a hot moment to a cool calm place through active listening and collaborative problem-solving. All of our Crisis Volunteers donate their time to helping people in crisis.
FRANK
Honest information about drugs
Find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. Talk to Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today.