Drugs

What are Drugs?

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Drugs are chemicals that affect the chemicals already in our bodies. You might have heard drugs are dangerous, but do you know why?

Different types of drugs will affect people in different ways.  Some drugs are legal, like cough bottles or pain killers.  Other drugs are illegal like marijuana, cocaine or heroin.

Medicines like cough bottles and pain killers are legal drugs, meaning doctors are allowed to prescribe them for patients, stores can sell them, and people are allowed to buy them. 

Some legal drugs are not safe for children or pregnant women to consume.  They might damage a growing person’s body or be unsafe for a foetus.  A pharmacist will be able to tell you what legal drugs and in what amounts are safe for you to take.

If you’re worried about the amount of a legal drug you are taking or the effects of a legal drug, you might want to talk to someone you trust to find out more information.  Or you can check the Spun Out website resource pages: http://www.spunout.ie/

If you’re concerned and are not sure where to turn, Childline is here all the time, you can leave us a message, chat to us live or ring us on 1800 66 66 66.

Click on the links below to find out more:

Why Are Illegal Drugs Dangerous?

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