Drug Information
Penalties under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971:
| Class* |
Possession |
Possession + intent to supply |
Supply/dealing |
| A |
7 years in prison |
Life imprisonment |
Life imprisonment |
| B |
5 years in prison |
14 years in prison |
14 years in prison |
| C |
2 years in prison |
14 years in prison |
14 years in prison |
| *An unlimited fine applies to all classes. |
| Alternative names: |
Drink, booze, grog, beer, lager, wine, spirits, alcopops, numerous trade names. |
| Forms: |
Usually liquid. |
| Effects: |
Relaxation, increased confidence, loosening of inhibitions. |
| Risks: |
Headache, vomiting, loss of co-ordination, slurred speech, impaired judgement. Heavy drinking can cause alcohol poisoning, and liver, heart and stomach problems. |
| Legality |
Illegal to sell to under-18s (except in restaurants). |
| Alternative names: |
Speed, whiz, uppers, amph, billy, sulphate. |
| Forms: |
Usually comes as a grey/white powder, or as tablets. |
| Effects: |
Increased energy and confidence, suppressed appetite, rapid heart rate. |
| Risks: |
Coming down (tiredness and depression), possible anxiety, panic and hallucinations. |
| Legality |
Class B drug. |
| Alternative names: |
Marijuana, pot, dope, grass, blow, hash, ganja, weed, puff. |
| Forms: |
Usually smoked with tobacco, or eaten in cooking (‘skunk’ is a very potent form of cannabis). |
| Effects: |
Relaxation and talkativeness (‘getting stoned’), heightening of senses, painkilling effects. |
| Risks: |
Tiredness, lethargy, paranoia, effects on short-term memory and ability to concentrate. |
| Legality |
Class C drug. |
| Alternative names: |
Coke, charlie, candy, snow, rock, wash, stone. |
| Forms: |
Powder that can be snorted or injected. ‘Crack’ is the smokeable form of cocaine. |
| Effects: |
Feelings of alertness, wellbeing and confidence (the effects of smoking crack are more intense). |
| Risks: |
Coming down (tiredness and depression), paranoia, confusion, nausea. Heavy use can cause heart or lung problems, and convulsions. |
| Legality |
Class A drug. |
| Alternative names: |
E, fantasy, doves, Mitsibushis, dolphins, Rolexes, (chemical name: MDMA). |
| Forms: |
Usually comes as small tablets. |
| Effects: |
Increased energy and confidence, heightened senses and awareness. |
| Risks: |
Coming down (tiredness and depression), possible liver and kidney problems. Ecstasy can sometimes be fatal. |
| Legality |
Class A drug. |
| Alternative names: |
GBH (chemical name: gammahydroxybutrate). |
| Forms: |
Colourless, odourless liquid in small bottles or capsules. |
| Effects: |
Sedative effects, euphoria. |
| Risks: |
Illness, collapse, can be slipped into drinks and used to aid ‘date-rape’, can be fatal when mixed with other drugs or alcohol. |
| Legality |
Class C drug (possession of GHB without a prescription is not illegal, but supply is against the law). |
| Alternative names: |
Smack, junk, skag, gear, brown, horse, H, jack. |
| Forms: |
Powder that can be snorted, smoked or injected. |
| Effects: |
Senses of warmth and wellbeing, or relaxation and drowsiness. |
| Risks: |
Dizziness and vomiting, long-lasting destructive addiction, overdosing can cause coma and death. |
| Legality |
Class A drug. |
| Alternative names: |
K, special K, vitamin K. |
| Forms: |
Usually powder to be snorted, or tablets. |
| Effects: |
Out-of-body experiences and hallucinations (‘being in a K-hole’), anaesthetic and painkilling effects. |
| Risks: |
Inability to move, very dangerous when mixed with other drugs or alcohol, heavy doses carry risk of breathing problems and heart failure. |
| Legality |
Ketamine is a prescription-only medicine (possession without a prescription in not illegal, but supply is against the law). |
| Alternative names: |
Acid, trips, tabs, microdots, (chemical name: lysergic acid diethylamide). |
| Forms: |
Usually comes in tiny squares of paper, sometimes with a picture on one side. |
| Effects: |
Hallucinations, changes to the perception of time, objects, colour and sound (‘trip’). |
| Risks: |
Bad trips, paranoia, anxiety or fear. |
| Legality |
Class A drug. |
| Alternative names: |
Crystal, crystal meth, tina, ice, crank, yaba. |
| Forms: |
Powder that can be snorted or injected, the crystal form (‘ice’) is smoked in a pipe. |
| Effects: |
Exhilaration, sharpened focus, increased sexual desire. |
| Risks: |
Paranoia, mood swings, short-term memory loss, difficulty eating or sleeping, large doses can cause coma and death. |
| Legality |
Class B drug. |
| Alternative names: |
Numerous trade names, (chemical names: amyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite). |
| Forms: |
Liquid in a small bottle that is inhaled. |
| Effects: |
Brief but intense ‘head-rush’, increased heart rate, often used as an aid to anal sex. |
| Risks: |
Headache, nausea, dangerous for those with anaemia, breathing or heart problems. |
| Legality |
Poppers are a prescription-only medicine (possession without a prescription is not illegal, but supply can be). |
| Alternative names: |
Glue, gas, aerosols, various trade names. |
| Forms: |
Inhalation of the fumes in ordinary household products (especially those found in lighter refills, hairsprays, deodorants, air fresheners, glues, paints, thinners and correcting fluids). |
| Effects: |
Hallucinations, thick-headedness, dreamy or giggly feeling. |
| Risks: |
Drowsiness, headache, vomiting, nausea, long-term use can damage to brain, liver and kidneys, can cause instant death (even on first use). |
| Legality |
It is illegal for retailers to sell these products to under-18s, or if they suspect the product is intended for abuse. |
| Alternative names: |
Cigarettes, cigars, ciggies, rollies, straights. |
| Forms: |
Plant that is smoked. |
| Effects: |
Relaxation, relief from nervousness. |
| Risks: |
Nausea, addiction, causes cancer, respiratory problems and heart disease. |
| Legality |
Illegal for retailers to sell tobacco products to under-16s. |
| Alternative names: |
Tranks, numerous trade names (chemical names include diazepam and temazepam). |
| Forms: |
Usually tablets or capsules. |
| Effects: |
Relief from anxiety, depression or sleep problems. |
| Risks: |
Addiction, slowed reactions, dangerous if mixed with alcohol. |
| Legality |
Possession without a prescription usually is not illegal, but supply is against the law. |
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