Drugs information
Some use it to refer to any substance that affects how we think or feel. This can include alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. More often it is used to refer to a range of legal substances that young people can misuse such as prescription medicines and volatile substances such as glue. In this context we use it to refer both to illegal drugs - such as cannabis, ecstasy and heroin - and legal substances.
Someone asked me how my partner's behaviour was affecting me. It was only then that I realised how long it had been since we'd actually talked to each other about what the problems really were
There are a few points about drugs and drug use that are worth bearing in mind as you consider your child's drug use:
- 28% of the population over 16 have taken illegal drugs, some 13 million people
- 51% of 16-24 year olds have taken illegal drugs
- Only a small number of people who experiment with drugs go on to use them regularly and an even smaller number develop a problem or come to harm
- Some people who use illegal drugs do so regularly and in a fairly controlled, recreational way.
Your child will have his or her own reasons for using drugs. To find out more about why some young people start using drugs - and what their reasons for stopping are, click here.
If you know which drugs your child is using, you might find it helpful to find out more information about them in our A to Z guide to drugs. The more you know, the more help you may be to them and the more in control you are likely to feel.