Drugs & Alcohol
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 B 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. |
See Dying For A Hard-On?
