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Sex Emergency Health Young People's Health Clinics Pregnancy All Mixed Up Drugs & Alcohol Healthy Living Drugs & Alcohol Many young people use different substances - legal and illegal. Some get wasted on drugs or alcohol on occasions. This may seem like fun but it could also be a frightening experience. Although most people will be using without too much harm, others will encounter major problems. The effects of drugs and alcohol are totally unpredictable and vary from one time to another. So think carefully before taking anything and never be pressured in to use. No substance is safe - using anything involves risks. Think seriously about the risks. These may affect your:   physical and mental health   relationships   finances   accommodation They can also take your life because people die from using drugs and alcohol. Remember these important messages:   don't mix substances (especially when alcohol is involved)   get clued up by finding out about drugs and alcohol. If you are going to use a substance make sure you use as safely as possible. The effects and problems of any substance are related to a number of things. These include where you take it, what you think the substance will do, how you're feeling at the time and your mental and physical health. There is lots of information available on drugs and alcohol. Key websites are listed on this page. Agencies have leaflets and information cards on a range of substances and where you can get help or advice. Cannabis Cannabis is illegal. If you are under 18, and are caught with cannabis even for your own use, the police will arrest you. There are certain mental health issues related to cannabis use:   cannabis has lots of chemicals that affect our brain and how it develops. There are increasingly stronger strains available these days   no one knows until they take cannabis just how it will affect them   experts are increasingly commenting that regular, and heavy, use of cannabis puts people at risk of mental health problems (such as psychosis, depression and schizophrenia). This is especially true if there are mental health problems in the family   psychotic symptoms include hallucinations, strange ideas, confused thinking and mood swings. Sometimes these symptoms don’t last long, but not always Are you worried about your use, or someone else’s use, of cannabis? It may help to contact some of these places listed here or read a leaflet called Cannabis: what does it really do to you? (this publication comes from www.youngminds.org.uk which also has podcasts of young people talking about cannabis use). Advice and support in Somerset There are many agencies in Somerset with workers who can respond to your questions and queries about substance use. They can provide you with information and advice which can help reduce the risks. One way of helping you is to complete a questionnaire called SUST (Substance Use Screening Tool). Two of the main agencies offering information, advice and support are:   On the Level www.onthelevel.org.uk help line: 01749 675766   Turning Point Drug & Alcohol Service www.turning-point.co.uk telephone numbers listed below ON THE LEVEL is a confidential young people's substance misuse service. It’s open Monday- Friday (9am - 6pm). You can make contact yourself and do not need to be referred by someone else. The service works with anyone aged 18 years old or under and provides:   information & advice   one to one support   counselling   needle exchange services   prescribing services A worker will try to see you as soon as possible and will aim to see you at a venue that is discreet and quiet. This could be your home, a youth centre, a local café or wherever you feel most comfortable. It’s a completely confidential service but you’ll need to complete some paper work which will be explained to you. TURNING POINT is your best starting point if you are 19 or over. You don’t need to be referred by anyone to use the service. Services include:   information and advice   counselling (and other 1:1 services)   needle exchange   complimentary therapies You can find Turning Point at:   Unity House, 10 Canon Street, Taunton TA1 1SN 01823 328463   35 Higher Kingston, Yeovil BA21 4AS 01935 471826   43 High Street, Bridgwater TA6 3BG 01278 447044   The Old Library, 19 Northload Street, Glastonbury BA6 9JJ 01458 832225 On a weekly basis, the service also visits Minehead (ring Taunton for details), Chard (ring Yeovil), Burnham-on-Sea (ring Bridgwater) and Frome (ring Glastonbury). Help for friends, families and careers Both On the Level and Turning Point provide advice and support for friends, family members and carers of drugs and alcohol users. Other sources of help include: Adfam www.adfam.org.uk - charity for families and friends of drug users with links to family support groups. Call 020 7553 7640 Al-Anon www.al-anonuk.org.uk - understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers. Help line: 020 7403 0888 More information and advice Talk To Frank www.talktofrank.com -information and advice on all drugs related issues. Call 0800 77 66 00 Release www.release.org.uk - information, advice and support on drugs and legal issues. 24 hour helpline: 0845 4500 215 Re-Solv www.re-solv.org – works to prevent solvent and volatile substance abuse. Helpline: 01785 810762 Need 2 Know www.need2know.co.uk - low-down on a range of health issues including alcohol and drugs Know Your Limits www.knowyourlimits.gov.uk - information on the effects of drinking alcohol. Call: 0800 917 8282 Return to top of page Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Disclaimer