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Anabolic steroids

Anabolic steroids are a group of hormones, which occur naturally in the body and are responsible for the development and functioning of the reproductive organs.

In the male, the hormone produced in the largest quantity is testosterone, which has two main effects - androgenic and anabolic. Androgenic effects include sexual characteristics such as an increase in facial hair and deepening of the voice. Anabolic effects include the build-up of muscle.

Medically steroids have limited use but can be used in the treatment of anaemia, thrombosis and can assist in the recovery of weakened muscles after prolonged bed rest.

Anabolic steroids ... what do they look like?
Anabolic steroids are found either in tablet form or as liquid often in ampoules. Common trade names include Durabolin (Nadrolene), Stanozolol and Dianabol.

Anabolic steroids ... how are they taken?
They can be taken orally or injected. When misused by athletes or body builders, these drugs are taken in multiple combinations over cycles of 6-8 weeks, in doses, which far exceed therapeutic recommendations.

Anabolic steroids ... what does the law say?
Anabolic steroids are prescription only drugs under the Medicines Act 1968. They are also a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is illegal to supply them but it is not an offence to possess them if they are in a medicinal preparation and for your own use.

Anabolic steroids ... how much do they cost?
If prescribed legitimately, anabolic steroids don’t cost more than the prescription. However on the black market, they cost on average around £20 for 100 tablets, although some like Deca-Durabolin and Sustanon cost in excess of £30 for 10 vials or ampoules.

Anabolic steroids ... what are the downs?
Regular use can lead to psychological dependence. There have been some cases of temporary psychiatric problems such as confusion; sleep disorders, depression and paranoia. Other health problems can result, such as damage to the liver and high blood pressure. Heavy use in men can lead to an initial increase in sex drive, which can then become depressed, until use is stopped. Some users become very aggressive. In women regular use can promote the development of male characteristics such as excessive hair growth and deepening of the voice, which appear to be irreversible. If anabolic steroids are injected and needles shared, then there is risk of infection with HIV/Aids and Hepatitis.

Anabolic steroids ... what are the ups?
Some athletes to build up muscle mass and enhance strength and stamina use Anabolic Steroids. High doses are believed to improve an individuals’ performance. People who want increase body mass quickly can also take them.

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Cannabis

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the UK.

Cannabis ... also known as:
Blow, Dope, Draw, Ganga, Gear, Grass, Hash, Marijuana, Pot, Skunk and Weed.

Cannabis ... what does it look like?
In Hertfordshire, hashish (or resin) is the most common form of the drug. It comes from the dried leaves of the cannabis (or marijuana) plant. It's made by compressing the sticky coating from the flowering tops of the plants into brown-black blocks.
Herbal cannabis is generally less strong and is made from the leafy parts of the plant.

Cannabis ... how is it taken?
Cannabis is generally smoked in a cigarette (joint). It's usually mixed with tobacco, but herbal cannabis may be smoked on its own. Resin can also be put into food or brewed into a drink.

Cannabis ... how much does it cost?
Street deals are usually measured by weight and are known as 'eight’s' or 'quarters'. Prices start at £15 for an eighth. Larger blocks of resin are often referred to as nine-ounce bars. Deals are wrapped in foil or cling film. Herbal cannabis is usually sold on the streets in small plastic money bags.

Cannabis ... what does the law say?
Cannabis is a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It was reclassified from a Class C drug on 26 January 2009. It is illegal to grow, produce, possess or supply. It is an offence to allow your house or premises to be used for growing, preparing, supplying or smoking cannabis.

The maximum penalty for supply, dealing, production (including cultivation) and trafficking is 14 years’ imprisonment.

The maximum penalty for possession of cannabis is 5 years’ imprisonment.

For adults most first offences of cannabis possession will result in a warning and confiscation of the drug. The government intends to introduce a Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) for a second offence of possession, which would result in a fine. Any further offence would result in arrest.

Young people under 18 in possession of cannabis will be arrested and dealt with under the framework for juvenile offending where they can receive a reprimand, final warning, or charge depending on the seriousness of the offence.

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Cocaine

Cocaine DERIVED from the leaf of the Coca Plant Cocaine was originally used as an effective local anaesthetic, widely used in eye, ear, nose and throat surgery before safer synthetic substitutes were discovered.

Commercial uses soon followed, such as cold cures and chewing gum, it was also found in the popular fizzy drink ‘Coca-Cola’ until 1903.

More recently use of cocaine has been associated with the rich and the famous and was closely linked with the lifestyles of yuppies in the 1980’s.

Cocaine ... also known as:
Charlie, Coke, Toot, Chaz, and Snow

Cocaine ... what does it look like?
A white crystalline powder. The Coca plant is grown most commonly in the mountains of South America, Columbia, Peru and Brazil.

Cocaine ... how’s it taken?
Snorted or sniffed into the nostrils. Occasionally injected.

Cocaine ... what does the law say?
Cocaine is a Class A drug. If you are caught in possession of it, you could face a maximum penalty of seven years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. If you are caught supplying cocaine, you could be sentenced to life imprisonment and/ or an unlimited fine. Cocaine and its salts can still be prescribed but otherwise it is illegal.

Cocaine ... how much does it cost?
On the street, cocaine can cost about £50 a gram. However, you can never be quite sure what you’re getting. Other substances such as milk powder, glucose and caffeine are often used to bulk it out so those dealers can push up their profits.

Cocaine ... what are the downs?
High doses may make people feel depressed, anxious or paranoid. Lack of energy may follow. The high lasts for a short time. Rapid psychological dependence may occur. Heavy regular use may result in aggressive behaviour and violent mood swings. Repeated snorting can damage nostrils and may lead to breathing problems or even heart failure. High spending on cocaine is often associated with debt and violence.

Cocaine ... what are the ups?
Cocaine is a strong stimulant with short-lived effects of up to 30 minutes. Users often feel more alert, physically strong and confident. Pain, tiredness and hunger may also be eased.
            

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Heroin

Heroin has been used throughout the centuries and was first recognised for its pain relieving qualities. To this day, morphine, which is produced from the opium poppy, is used as a high strength painkiller and is often used to treat cancer patients.

In the early 1980’s illicit use of heroin rocketed. For the first time the spread of the Aids virus was linked to those users who injected the drug and shared needles.

A widespread government campaign encouraging addicts to only use their own needles was screened throughout the country. Needle exchange schemes were also set up where users could take their dirty needles and swap them for new sterile ones.

Just recently heroin use has started to increase again with the number of dependant users registering for methadone treatment rising. A contributory factor is thought to be linked to the fact that heroin is often sold on the streets as ‘brown’, so uneducated users don’t know that they are buying heroin.

Heroin ... also known as:
Brown, Gear, H, Heaven, Horse, Junk, Skag, and Smack.

Heroin ... what does it look like?
Heroin is made from the dried milk of the opium poppy. Illicit heroin can vary from off-white to mid-brown in colour. Generally it contains other substances such as glucose, paracetamol or brick dust.

Heroin ... how is it taken?
It can be injected or smoked on its own - known as ‘chasing the dragon’ or less commonly smoked with tobacco.

Heroin ... how much does it cost?
Prices vary between £60 - £80 a gram. It is usually sold on the street in wraps, which can be made from folded squares of glossy magazine paper in much smaller amounts for between £10 and £20.

Heroin ... what does the law say?
Heroin is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, making it illegal to supply or possess without prescription. It is also illegal to allow premises to be used for its production or supply.

Heroin ... what are the downs?
When you come down you can feel tired and sweaty and your breathing becomes heavy and uneven. The effects can last for several hours and can block out physical and emotional pain. If you get a particularly pure or impure dose of Heroin, it can kill you. Using it with other drugs, such as alcohol, can also be fatal.

Heroin ... what are the ups?
You feel a wave of pleasure sweep over you and intense relaxation. Any worries or pain you might be feeling fade away.

Heroin ... what's the damage?
You can easily become mentally and physically dependent on Heroin. Once dependant larger doses of Heroin are required to achieve a high. Users may then reach a point when they have to take the drug just to feel normal and avoid withdrawal symptoms. It is very easy to take an overdose. Those who smoke heroin to begin with usually turn to injecting it to make it go further. Beating a dependency is often a very long and painful process. Doctors most commonly prescribe methadone as an alternative to heroin with the dosage strictly controlled. Users who inject often run the risk of catching diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis, particularly if needles are shared.

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Ketamine

Ketamine is a short-acting but powerful anaesthetic drug with hallucinogenic properties which is used for surgical operations on animals and to a lesser extent on animals. In 1992 it began to be used on to the club and rave scene in the UK.

Ketamine...what does it look like?
In its pharmaceutical ketamine is liquid. The illegally produced version usually comes as a grainy white powder.

Ketamine...how is it taken?
Ketamine is often supplied as tablets which are taken orally, or as powder which is snorted up the nose or sometimes smoked. In its liquid pharmaceutical state it can be injected

Ketamine...what are the effects?

• Ketamine can cause perceptual changes similar to LSD.
• Users may report hallucinations or ‘out of body’ experiences, the nature of which are unpredictable
• Users can ‘trip’ for up to an hour, and may feel the after effects for several hours.
• In some cases, users may experience numbness of the limbs, strange muscle movements, or be physically unable to move.

Ketamine...what are the risks?

• Ketamine numbs the body, so users risk serious injury without feeling pain
• High doses, especially mixed with other depressant drugs like alcohol, can dangerously supress breathing and heart function, and can lead to loss of consciousness.
• It can cause panic attacks, depression and in large doses can exaggerate pre-existing mental health problems such as schizophrenia.
• Users can become psychologically but not physically dependent on ketamine,
• The long-term effects its use are largely unknown, but flashbacks, memory, attention and vision impairment may result from frequent and prolonged use.
• Mixing ketamine with other drugs or alcohol is very dangerous.

Ketamine...how much does it cost?
The price of ketamine varies from £10 to £20 a gram depending on who it is bought from and where.

Ketamine...what does the law say?

Ketamine is currently a prescription-only medicine . Possession without a prescription is not illegal, but supply/possession with intent to supply without a licence is against the law under the Medicines Act.

From 1 January 2006, ketamine will become a controlled drug under Class C of the Misuse of Drug Act.

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LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

LSD is derived from a fungus found growing wild on rye and other grasses. It was first produced in 1938 and its discoverer underwent the first LSD trip in 1943.

In the 1950s and 1960s, LSD was commonly used in psychotherapy before it began to be used recreationally.

LSD ... also known as:
Acid, trips, tabs, dots etc

LSD ... what does it look like?
LSD is most commonly found impregnated onto small squares of blotting type paper of approximately 8mm square. These squares of paper are often printed with designs which reflect the latest film and fashion images. Less commonly LSD is found as a white powder. Minute amounts are generally mixed with other substances and formed into tablets, capsules or microdots.

LSD ... how’s it taken?
LSD is taken orally by placing the paper square directly into the mouth or into a drink.

LSD ... what does the law say?
LSD is a class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is illegal to possess, supply or produce or to allow premises to be used for its production or supply.

LSD ... how much does it cost?
Individual squares of LSD can cost as little as £3.

LSD ... what are the downs?
Strengths vary and it is impossible to know how strong a dose is being taken. A trip begins after about 45 minutes and can last between eight and 12 hours. Once it has started it is impossible to stop. LSD is unpredictable and what it does largely depends on the users state of mind. It can be very frightening and panic and paranoia can follow. Some users experience flashbacks. The long term effects of LSD aren’t known and although physical addiction is unlikely, users might become psychologically dependent on the drug.

LSD ... what are the ups?
LSD is a hallucinogenic drug which distorts the senses. Sight and sound may be intensified, colours may be sharpened and some users experience visions.

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Magic Mushrooms

There are about a dozen varieties of hallucinogenic or ‘magic’mushrooms that grow in the UK, the most common of which is the Liberty Cap derived from the Psilocybe family.

Magic mushrooms were originally harvested for their medicinal properties and references to them date back to ancient tribes and civilisations.

Present day use in the UK has developed since the 1970s as a more organic alternative to LSD.

Magic Mushrooms ... also known as:
Shrooms, Mushies etc

Magic Mushrooms ... what do they look like?
Because of the numerous varieties of mushrooms with hallucinogenic properties, it is often extremely difficult to distinguish them from their poisonous and sometimes deadly cousins and identification can be very complex.

Magic Mushrooms ... how are they taken?
Can be eaten raw, cooked or brewed into a tea, some may be preserved by drying and then taken at a later date.

Magic Mushrooms ... what does the law say?
Under Section 21 of the Drugs Act 2005, which came into force in July 2005, magic mushrooms or fungus or any kind containing psilocin or an ester of psilocin became Class A under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is an offence to possess, supply or produce or allow premises to be use for their production or supply.

Magic Mushrooms ... how much do they cost?
Most users pick their own, but less commonly they can be bought from dealers. Prices vary depending on the season, but a bag containing about 30 mushrooms can cost around £5.

Magic Mushrooms ... what are the downs?
As with LSD tolerance rapidly develops to magic mushrooms and users may find that increasingly higher doses are needed to achieve a similar effect, nausea, stomach pains and vomiting are common. Bad trips can also occur which may develop into brief psychotic episodes. There have also been reports of flashbacks. By far the greatest danger is the fact that poisonous mushrooms can be mistakenly taken.

Magic Mushrooms ... what are the ups?
The effects are similar to a mild LSD experience but may also include the feeling of euphoria and an increased heart rate, blood pressure and pupil size may result. The sensations also take effect in a much shorter time - usually after 30 minutes - but also last for a shorter time - between four and nine hours. If high doses are taken the user may experience visual distortion and vivid hallucinations.

Poppers is the term given to a group of chemicals known as Alkyl Nitrates which include Amyl, Butyl and Isobutyl Nitrates.

They are sold in clubs, sex shops, bars, market stalls and some record or clothes shops as room odorizers under various brand names.

Mostly people within the dance and club scene and in the gay community take poppers for their euphoric effects. When taken body muscles relax and a warm sensation is felt across the body. Blood vessels enlarge, lowering blood pressure and increasing the heart rate, sending large amounts of oxygenated blood rushing through the heart and brain.

Poppers ... what do they look like?
Most often poppers appear in small brown glass bottles as clear or yellow volatile and inflammable liquids. They are described as having a sweet smell when fresh but the odour of dirty socks when stale.

Poppers ... how are they taken?
Poppers are inhaled either directly from the bottle or from a cloth or anything absorbent.

Poppers ... what does the law say?
Amyl nitrate has now been classed as a prescription only drug under the Medicines Act 1968 and its sale from clubs, shops and other entertainment venues is illegal.

Poppers ... how much do they cost?
They can be purchased relatively cheaply. Between £5 to £7 per ten ml bottle.

Poppers ... what are the downs?
The user may feel light headed and dizzy. Some people experience mild nausea and a pounding headache afterwards. Accidents are more likely because co-ordination is affected. Poppers are dangerous for people with blood pressure, heart or glaucoma conditions. Swallowing the substance can prove fatal.

Poppers ... what are the ups?
A fast-acting drug but with a short lived affects which usually last between 30 seconds and two to three minutes. Emotions are intensified followed by a feeling of well being.

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