Young Booze Busters

Keeping Safe

The effects and consequences of using drugs and/or alcohol can be unpredictable and dangerous. People using these may increase their risk of having an accident, getting into trouble with the police, missing school, falling out with family and friends, damaging their health, becoming dependent or overdosing.

Even if people have used drugs and/or alcohol before they don’t know for sure that they will have the same experience the next time they use it. If you are asked to use drugs or alcohol stop and think about what could happen. Don’t just follow the crowd. Be assertive and don’t give in to peer pressure.

What to do if a friend needs help:

If someone who has taken drugs and/or alcohol has become unwell they may feel anxious, agitated, confused, scared, hot, sick, dehydrated and or have difficulty breathing.

You can help them by:

  • Keeping them calm and reassured.
  • Moving them to a quiet space.
  • Not being angry with them as this could make them more panicky and scared.
  • Not leaving them alone.
  • Getting help eg. telling an adult, caling an ambulance.
  • Being honest about what drugs have been used, how they were taken and how much was taken. Also whether any alcohol has been drunk.
  • Trying to keep them awake.
  • Giving them small sips of water.
  • If they become unconscious then place them in the recovery position until the ambulance arrives.

http://young.scot/choices-for-life/articles/what-should-i-do-if-my-friend-has-a-bad-reaction-to-drugs/