What parents need to know about drugs

CANNABIS, cocaine, ecstasy - what you need to know.

Cannabis
Also known as: hash, dope, blow, draw, grass
What it looks like and how it's taken: comes as solid lump resin, leaves, stalks and seeds or sticky dark oil. Can be smoked or eaten with food.

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Immediate effects: feel relaxed and may have sharper sense of colours and sounds. Some feel urge to eat.
Risks: first-time users may feel confused and distressed. Anxiety, panic and suspicion are not uncommon. Makes it hard to learn and carry out tasks. Regular heavy use can lead to mental health problems including paranoia. Smoked with tobacco, it increases health risks associated with tobacco use and can lead to nicotine addiction. Very heavy use can lead to heart and breathing problems.
Legal status: Class C
Associated paraphernalia: Rolling papers such as Rizla, pipes, bongs.

Cocaine
Also known as: cocaine: coke, charlie, snow.
What it looks like and how it's taken: white powder that is snorted or dissolved and injected.
Immediate effects: acts fast and lasts about 30 minutes. Users feel confident, strong and alert, and may be left craving more.
Risks: users may feel tense and anxious while using and afterwards many feel very tired and depressed. It can also cause convulsions, chest pain and sudden death from heart attack or stroke. Sniffing can damage the inside of the nose. Long term frequent use can lead to paranoia, hallucinations, aggression and weight loss.
Legal status: Class A
Associated paraphernalia: Razors, mirrors, something to snort through.

Ecstasy
Also known as: 'E' mitsubishi, diamonds, euros, eckies
What it looks like and how it's taken: Tablets of different shapes, sizes and colours - often with a designer logo. Taken by swallowing the tablet.
Immediate effects: Increases energy and sense of well-being. Sounds, colours and emotions more intense.
Risks: Can lead to overheating and dehydration if users dance without taking breaks or sipping non-alcoholic fluids, which can be fatal. Users can feel tired and depressed for a few days after use. Longer term ecstasy use has been linked to mental health problems, liver, kidney and brain damage.
Legal status: Class A

For more information on these drugs and others, and advice on speaking to your children about drugs, call the Know the Score helpline on 0800 587 587 9 and speak to trained advisers in confidence, or visit the website www.knowthescore.info.