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Drugs, alcohol, smoking

Drinking alcohol, taking drugs and smoking are all easy to start but can be very difficult to stop. They can lead to ill-health, debt, loss of places at school and college or loss of your job. You might even lose your friends and family and a place to live.

If you have a problem, or you think a friend may be in trouble, talk to your Connexions personal adviser. They will be able to help, advise and suggest local organisations that can help.

Talk to Frank - find out more about drugs, their effects, and the risks involved. If you are worried about your own, or a friend or family member’s drug use, or if you just want some reliable information, call the free confidential helpline.
www.talktofrank.com
T: 0800 77 66 00

Drugs and the law. The penalty for getting caught with illegal drugs depends on what type of drug you’re caught with and the circumstances of the situation. You may get a warning and have the drugs confiscated, but the penalties could be a lot more serious. This chart describes the categories of illegal drugs (Class A being the most harmful) and the penalties for possession and supply.

CLASS

MAXIMUM
PENALTY FOR
POSSESSION

MAXIMUM
PENALTY FOR
SUPPLY

A – cocaine, crack cocaine,
ecstasy, magic mushrooms,
heroin, LSD, crystal meth

Up to seven years in
jail

Life in jail and an
unlimited fine

B – cannabis, mephedrone
(meow meow), speed (Class A
if prepared for injection)

Up to five years in
jail

Up to fourteen
years in jail

C – ketamine, anabolic
steroids, illegal possession of
prescription drugs like
tranquillisers.

Up to two years in
jail

Up to fourteen
years in jail

It is illegal for under-18s to buy or be bought alcohol, unless they are 16 or 17, having it with a meal in a bar or restaurant and are supervised by an adult. It is also illegal for under-18s to be sold tobacco. Drink-driving and drug-driving are illegal and very dangerous no matter what age you are.

If you are looking for help to stop smoking, the NHS Stop Smoking Service offers individual or group sessions for face-to-face support and advice from a trained worker. They also offer support at home by post, phone, email or text. Nicotine replacement products such as gum, patches and tablets are available on prescription from your doctor.
Call 01275 546 744 or text 07990 505 784.
You can also contact the free NHS Stop Smoking Helpline 7am - 11pm daily on 0800 022 4332
http://smokefree.nhs.uk/