recreational drug use in medway several controlled substances are currently widely used in medway:...

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• Several controlled substances are currently widely used in Medway:– Cocaine (powder)

– ‘Skunk’ cannabis

– Heroin (powder)

– Amphetamine

– Ecstasy

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• What do we know about the use of these substances in Medway?

Heroin

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• There have been 24 drug related deaths in Medway this year so far. Many of these have been linked directly to heroin.

• Heroin is on average 60% pure product. The remaining 40% is made of various contaminants, typically benzodiazepeines; paracetomol; brick dust, etc

• Injecting heroin leads to a vast array of complications which can ultimately lead to death:

– Hep B / Hep C

– Abscesses

– DVT

– Blood clots

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• What do we know about the use of these substances in Medway?

Cocaine

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• Cocaine powder is typically sold in £10 wraps.

• The powder is typically anywhere between 25% to 70% ‘pure’ product with the remainder made up of various contaminants.

• A ‘rock’ of crack cocaine costs about the same, but you need to smoke it in an adapted ‘pipe’.

• When you’re subject to the effects of either, you will feel more confident; stronger; aggressive, and much more

likely to get involved in fights / conflict.

• Cocaine is the easiest controlled drug to detect

both externally and internally.

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

The Risks?

• Stimulant drug that strips calcium

from your bones

• Rots nasal septum

• Coke + Booze = Cocaethylene

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• What do we know about the use of these substances in Medway?

Cannabis

• Cannabis locally is sold either as ‘resin’, or as ‘skunk’ (herbal)

• Wraps cost around £10

• Resin is not as popular as ‘skunk’ cannabis, as herbal is much more potent

• Street cautions are commonly used for personal possession – a criminal conviction which will affect your career; finance; travel; driving, and future.

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

The Risks?

• 85% of psychiatric admissions test positive for THC

• 3 joints = 20 fags

• Memory affected for up to 6 weeks

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• What do we know about the use of these substances in Medway?

Amphetamine

• Stimulant

• ‘Fight or flight’ response

• Increased heart rate

• Increased blood pressure

• Tomorrow’s energy

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• The highest purity value of SPEED found on users in London last year was only

9%

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

The Risks? ........... mind–blowing rush?……..

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• What do we know about the use of these substances in Medway?

Ecstasy

•Brain swell

•Overheating

•Damage to brain cells

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

•Depletes Serotonin

•Long and short

term depression

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

The Risks? ……..

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Long-term effect of

Ecstasy on monkey brain

cells

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

5 yrs, Fine (Both)

3 yrs, Fine (Both)

Class C

14 yrs, Fine (Both)

5 yrs, Fine (Both)

Class B

Life, Fine (Both)

7 yrs, Fine (Both)

Class A

SupplyPossession

The Risks? ……..

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Police Powers to Search

A Police Officer may searchany person he reasonably suspects

to have in their possession any drug as defined in The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as

Class A or Class B

If necessary a STRIP search may be demanded

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

• Disastrous to employment prospects

• Many professions closed

• Restricted travel

• Restrictions on driving

• Restrictions on loans

Recreational Drug Use In Medway

Good To Go?........