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Common drugs: get the facts
Different types of drugs affect your body in different ways. They can have short-term and long-term effects, which can be both physical and psychological and possibly lead to dependency. Making sure you know the risks and harms associated with drug use can help you stay safe and reduce harm.
Cocaine
Is a stimulant with powerful, short-lived effects that can be highly addictive. ‘Coke’ or cocaine powder is usually divided into lines and snorted. ‘Crack’ and ‘Freebase’ is a form of cocaine made into small lumps or rocks that are usually smoked.
Street names
For powder cocaine: coke, Charlie, C, white, ‘tickets’, ‘nose’.
For crack: ‘white’, ‘w’, ‘vodka’, rocks, stones, pebbles, base, freebase.
The law
Cocaine and crack are Class A drugs – illegal to have, give away or sell.
Fast fact
If mixed with alcohol, cocaine causes more harm to the body with a risk of a toxic reaction.
Health risks
Death from overdoses through convulsions and respiratory or heart failure, also anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, heart seizures, decreased sex drive, serious mental health problems and risk of HIV and hepatitis virus infections.
Heroin and opiates
A natural opiate made from morphine extracted from the opium poppy. Like many drugs made from opium, including synthetic opioids (for example methadone) heroin is a very strong painkiller.
Street names
Brown (B), dark, whisky, skag, H, horse, gear, smack.
The law
Heroin is a class A drug. Although simple possession has a maximum 7-year prison sentence, the likely outcomes range from a caution, to a fine, up to a short prison sentence. The supply of heroin is likely to result in a custodial sentence of at least a few years.
Fast fact
Naloxone can be used to reverse the effects of opiates and therefore may be used to save someone who is overdosing. Naloxone is a prescription-only medicine, so only drug services can supply it and anyone can use it to save a life in an emergency.
Health risks
Death from overdoses, convulsions, heart failure, anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, heart seizures, decreased sex drive, serious mental health problems and risk of HIV and hepatitis virus infections.
There are risks that heroin may be mixed with synthetic opioids, such as Nitazenes and fentanyl, that are particularly harmful and increase the risk of overdose and death.
Cannabis
Made from parts of the cannabis plant, it’s a naturally occurring sedative and hallucinogen.
Street names
Ganja, hash, marijuana, pot, puff, skunk, smoke, spliff, weed, bud, cali.
The law
It is an illegal Class B drug.
Fast fact
It’s the most widely used illegal drug in Britain.
Health risks
Increasing evidence of a link between cannabis and mental health problems such as schizophrenia, reduced sperm count and suppressed ovulation, can cause lung disease, cancer and heart problems.
Cannabis based products like edibles or vape cartridges potentially contain other substances such as synthetic cannabinoids, like spice.
They are very different drugs to herbal cannabis, often stronger and have more unpredictable effects which can cause a number of harms.
Khat
An addictive drug used for recreational purposes – and a flowering plant native to tropical East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Street names
Quat, qat, qaadka, and chat.
The law
Khat is a class C drug. It is illegal to supply, possess with intent to supply and import khat.
Fast fact
Since 1980 the World Health Organisation listed khat as an addictive drug.
Health risks
Oral cancer, kidney damage, liver damage, gum damage, high blood pressure, aggression, impotence, low sperm count, depression and mental illness.
Ketamine
Mostly used by medical practitioners and veterinarians as an anaesthetic, Ketamine is a dissociative drug which affects the brain to produce visual and auditory distortion and a detachment from reality. Ketamine usually comes as a white or off-white powder and can also be made into pills or dissolved in a liquid.
Street names
‘K’, ‘Ket’, ‘Shard’
The law
Ketamine is a class B controlled drug.
Fast fact
When mixed with other drugs, it can be particularly harmful and even fatal.
Health risks
It can cause bladder, kidney, and liver damage.
MDMA
MDMA is a synthetic drug made from similar ingredients as amphetamine.
Street names
‘MD’, ‘Mandy’, ‘Ecstasy’, ‘Cola’.
The law
It is a class A controlled drug.
Fast fact
Can be in powder/crystal form, or tablet (ecstasy pills).
Health risks
High blood pressure (hypertension), faintness, panic attacks and in severe cases a loss of consciousness and seizures.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a group of depressant drugs such as diazepam (Valium). They are generally prescribed as medicines for anxiety or occasionally sleeping problems.
Street names
‘Benzos’, ‘Xanax’
The law
They made be prescribed, but there are ‘street’ Benzodiazepines which are typically class C controlled drugs and therefore illegal to possess.
Fast fact
When taken alongside opiates or alcohol, can lead to fatal overdose.
Health risks
Mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol and other depressants like heroin, increases their effects and toxicity, slowing down the central nervous system and increasing the risk of overdose. Regular long-term use of benzodiazepines can lead to physical dependency.
Withdrawals from them can result in serious harm and should be supported by a medical professional. Benzodiazepines bought illegally, including online, can often vary in strength and purity which can increase the risk of harm and overdose.
Longer term effects can include memory loss, insomnia, anxiety and depression.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is used as pain relief during medical procedures such as dental work. It can also be legally bought for use in whipped cream dispensers.
Street names
'Laughing gas', NOX
The law
Class C drug. Possession of laughing gas for its "psychoactive effects" can carry a sentence of up to two years in prison.
Fast fact
Effects of the drug varies and can include feelings of euphoria, relaxation, calmness or fits of giggles and laughter.
Health risks
Dizziness that can affect judgement by slowing down the brain and body's response (depending on how much has been inhaled).
Heavy regular use of nitrous oxide can also lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12, a form of anaemia and in more severe cases, nerve damage or paralysis.
Further research is taking place into its long-term effects, with some health conditions and deaths linked to its use. For more information on the council’s response to nitrous oxide visit Nitrous oxide - No laughing matter.
Polydrug use
Using more than one drug at the same time can increase risk in a number of ways. There may be specific harms linked to substances combining in your body, such as with cocaine and alcohol.
Combining depressant drugs, such as opiates, alcohol and benzodiazepines can increase the risk of overdose.
Combining stimulants, such as cocaine and MDMA can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.
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