Individuals featured in this image are in no way associated with this article Read this before Saturday night   Ecstasy, Marijuana, Ice – plus other drugs and their effects    Lucy and Karen were best mates – until, as Karen explains, Lucy’s partying drove a wedge between them name?  fast fact: for $5. At one point, Lucy and another girl disappeared. When she came back, she whispered excitedly, “We just did coke!” I was shocked, but tried to hide it. The next week, Lucy told me that the drug made her feel super confident. “You should try it, Kaz, you’ll love it,” she said. However, it just wasn’t me. We started seeing each other less and, when we did catch up, she was often in a foul mood. One weekend, we met for lunch. She looked terrible: greasy hair, blotchy skin, bloodshot eyes – the works. “You look tired,” I commented, casually. She snapped back defensively. “Law is hard – I can’t skate through doing the bare minimum like you do. You’d know what it was like if you were studying a real degree.” When cocaine and alcohol are mixed, they produce a substance in the blood called “cocaethylene”, which can be even more toxic than cocaine alone. Cocaine is highly addictive and can create serious physical and mental health problems including seizures, heart attack, stroke, psychosis and depression.** I felt like I’d been slapped. We had a huge fight there in the restaurant. I told her I had enough to worry about with my father, who has a drinking problem. I didn’t want to deal with a drug-addicted friend, too. It’s been 18 months, and I haven’t seen her since. She texted me once, but I didn’t reply. I heard that she dropped out of uni, which makes me sad. She used to be so ambitious. But Lucy today is nothing like the Lucy I used to know. How cocaine destroyed my best friend  Take a glance at the list of ecstasy’s “immediate effects” to understand how the tiny tablet earned such a friendly nickname *Names have been changed.  All in a *Names have been changed. **Source: drugs.health.gov.au ucy* and I have been friends since year eight. By year 12, we were inseparable. When her parents divorced, Lucy moved in with my family for a while. When my mum got diagnosed with cancer and had chemotherapy, Lucy was there to help me through it. We were almost one person, Lucy-and-Karen. So it was only natural that after high school, we’d go to the same uni. I enrolled in a teaching/arts degree and Lucy studied law. At first we had a ball, studying together and catching up between classes. And then, Lucy began hanging out with some girls in her course. She was spending quite a bit of time with them and could tell I was jealous; we weren’t used to sharing! So, one Saturday, she asked me to come out with them. We went to a swanky bar full of men in suits, and the girls ordered expensive cocktails. I felt uncomfortable – I was used to uni pubs where drinks were two Officially, the name is MethyleneDioxyMethAmphetamine (MDMA), but MDMA is just one component found in most ecstasy tablets – they often also contain other dangerous toxic substances, such as ketamine. Within 20 minutes of consuming one, body temperature increases and heart rate speeds up, making the user feel more alert, affectionate and energetic. But there are negative effects, too. DRUG ARM says these can include: • Overheating and sweating • Jaw clenching/grinding teeth • Nausea • Reduced sexual inhibition, which can lead to unsafe sex • Anxiety • Memory impairment • Depression While most effects last up to eight hours, some can stick around for up to 32 hours, and it’s usually the least-pleasurable Dehydration vs Over-hydration Ecstasy “knocks out your first response mechanism”, explains forensic toxicologist Andrew Leibie from Inverness Medical Australia. When high, you might have trouble realising you’re thirsty, hungry, too full or too warm. It might not sound like a big deal, but it can lead to fatal consequences. “No matter how thirsty you are, you’re not aware of it, unless something tells you to drink up, so you can become very dehydrated,” Leibie says. When dehydrated you can pass out, have seizures, become delirious and, if you’re not treated, in extreme cases it can lead to death. “Or you can drink too much water and not realise that, which leads to swelling of your brain,” he continues. “That’s what kills you.” Your water intake needs to be actively managed when ecstasy is consumed. Drinking too much can be as dangerous as too little. using ecstasy, because serotonin in the brain is reduced by ecstasy use. Research in animals shows this is long lasting (up to three years) and may even be permanent. Ecstasy users often fall into a cycle of use where they take the drug in 48-hour weekend binges, with four or five days of a break in between – and this type of regular use causes the positive side effects to fade, explains Associate Professor and psychologist Lynne Magor-Blatch. “Tolerance increases the severity of the undesirable effects,” she says. “The heightened anxiety is a huge issue, and people can die from things like heart attack, blood clotting, overheating or brain hemorrhage.” For more information call 1800 250 015 or visit www.australia.gov.au/drugs. Lauren*, 19, tells of her shocking experience... symptoms that persist. If a high “Last year, I went to Big Day Out. My friends dose is taken, or ecstasy is used and I decided to do E for the first time. An hour frequently, the user might also after taking it, I felt great, but soon I felt strange. experience hallucinations, My heart was pounding like a jackhammer. I visual distortions, tremors, vomited, so my friend Sophie decided to stay vomiting, confusion or panic with me. Sometimes I felt OK, then I’d feel – and the hangover over the claustrophobic, nauseous and paranoid. following days ain’t pretty, either! A few times I think I lost consciousness. There are many psychological It was such a horrible experience – I’ll never touch it again.” problems associated with ecstasy including the “hangover effect”, depression that can last for days after The effects and toxicity of each pill are unpredictable and the chance of overdose is a real possibility. Q&A What would you do?  Shelley and James, both 22, have been dating for three years. They’re thinking of taking the plunge to buy a house together – but there’s one thing standing in their way… ames has been into marijuana since we met,” says Shelley. “I thought it was a phase he’d grow out of.” Now that they’re thinking of buying a place together, her opinion has changed. Shelley realises he smokes pot almost every day. “In the beginning, I didn’t know it was that often,” she says. Addicted “He insists he’s not addicted, and says he could quit at any time,” says Shelley. “I don’t like that he smokes pot all the time. If we buy a place, it’s not something I’d be comfortable with him bringing home.” The other problem? Money. “We agreed we’d start saving as much as we could for a house deposit. So far I’ve saved $7000, and he’s saved a grand total of zero. I’m starting to wonder whether we’re heading towards a dead end…” The reality “If I take ecstasy on a Saturday night, is it in my system when I go to work on Monday?” It’s possible. The effects of ecstasy usually last up to eight hours after taking it. Some people report symptoms that persist for 32 hours, which are usually the “come down” effects, where you may feel physically exhausted, depressed and irritable. Marijuana and the law: Daydreaming about a tropical Q A “I heard marijuana can cause mental illness – is this true?” Some debate exists about the specific relationship between drug use and mental illness, but there is a consensus that people with drug problems also have an increased risk of mental health problems. We know marijuana use can exacerbate existing psychotic illness and symptoms of schizophrenia, as well as mood swings, panic attacks, delusions, and paranoia. Shelley’s situation is all too familiar, says Dennis Young, holiday in Phuket? Be warned: a Executive Director of DRUG conviction with cannabis – or any type of ARM in Brisbane. Regular drug – could put your holiday plans on hold cannabis use can cause a indefinitely. “If you get a conviction with person to feel unmotivated cannabis, that does prevent you travelling to a lot of countries,” says Dennis Young, and moody, which Shelley Executive Director of Drug Arm in Brisbane. says has led to other issues. “It can also impact your future options for “He rarely comes out with study and work. A lot of people just me anymore and our sex life is don’t understand or think about virtually non-existent,” she says. the long-term legal Young explains it’s “not a matter of ramifications.” stopping smoking pot and problems go away. There is evidence to suggest long-term cannabis use can lead to more serious issues, like cancer and psychosis.” Larry Pierce, CEO of the Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Association, says there’s a definite relationship between drugs and mental health issues. “It’s not a ‘this Don’t dope causes that’ issue – it’s very complex,” he and drive explains. Shelley feels stuck. “I can’t get Cannabis users “tend to drive mad – I knew about it when we started more slowly”, and as a result dating,” she says. “I’m worried if I give an they believe they’re driving ultimatum, he’ll pick weed over me! But more safely, says National if that’s true, I guess I have my answer.” Cannabis Prevention & For more information call 1800 250 015 or visit www.australia.gov.au/drugs. Consequences of using marijuana can include:* • Dependence • Depression/anxiety • Sleep problems • Lowered sex drive • Learning difficulties/poorer educational outcomes • Memory problems • Respiratory illnesses • Increased risk of cancer • Paranoia Information Centre (NCPIC) Director, Professor Jan Copeland. However, NCPIC research shows that driving while stoned can increase your chance of having an accident by up to 300 per cent. “Just like any drug that affects psychomotor skills, cannabis impairs driving,” Copeland says. “People use cannabis to alter their perception – but the one place you don’t want your perception changed is behind the wheel of a car.” Q A “What are the long-term consequences of using ice?” It can lead to social and financial problems, the risk of family breakdown and losing friends. Longerterm users often look older than their age and may have damaged teeth and lesions on the skin. They have a greater risk of stroke, and have decreased lung function and memory and decisionmaking issues. Injecting can result in scarring, abscesses, vein damage and exposure to blood borne viruses. Q A Individuals featured in this image are in no way associated with this article *Source: drugs.health.gov.au  Q A If I have ecstasy or speed and I’m on antidepressants or anxiety meds, what can happen? It is never safe to mix any drugs. Drugs can interact in unexpected ways and cause serious effects that are hard to predict, as the reaction depends on so many factors: drug type, potency, purity, personal health, and so on. Mixing drugs can increase the risk of overdose, because they work to slow down your breathing and heart rate. Others can place increased pressure on your heart. With ecstasy, this mix is particularly dangerous and may result in developing serotonin syndrome. Experts: Andrew Di Iorio, youth alcohol & other drug counsellor at Open Family Australia, and James Pitts, CEO of Odyssey House. Annabel MAJOR,** Sydney ‘‘ I thought my drink was spiked once while I was on a night out with some friends, but it’s just so hard to tell when you’re drinking alcohol in the first place A Fine Line Between and Fantasy Reality Fantasy. Liquid E. Quirky nicknames – but there’s no denying GHB is dangerous HB, or gammahydroxybutyrate, is a central nervous system depressant that is made using sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide and industrial solvents. It was once used as a general anesthetic in hospitals, but today GHB is peddled by dealers as a drug designed to help the user relax. “People try to justify it – they say that because it’s used in hospitals, it’s safe,” says Kristie Sky, NSW Ambulance Service spokeswoman. “But in a hospital the doctors weigh you and can adjust the doses. A party is not a controlled situation, and even the tiniest of doses can send you over the edge.” The main risk to GHB users is overdose, resulting in death. Over half of surveyed Party safe GHB has been making headlines as a “date rape” drug. When combined with alcohol, its effects dramatically increase. Dr Williams says there are a few things you can do to stay safe: “Know who your friends are and stick with them,” she says. Dr Williams has found that alcohol almost always plays a part in drink 1 2 GHB users admit to losing consciousness after using the drug, with 45 per cent experiencing memory loss or tremors*. “If you’re unconscious, you lose the ability to breathe and, outside a hospital, you can’t stay alive,” says Dr Angela Williams, forensic physician at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. There have been 10 reported deaths directly attributed to GHB Catherine French,** Melbourne My drink was spiked at the Melbourne Cup, and I wasn’t even drinking alcohol. I felt wobbly and it was as though my mind was taking too long to catch up with my body ’’ spiking. “If you’ve had too much to drink, it’s easy for someone to take advantage of you,” she says. It is wise to use bottles rather than glasses, and you should keep your drink with you at all times so no one can tamper with it. Always check in. “If you’ve put a friend in a cab to go home, call someone at their destination to make sure they arrive safely.” 3 in Australia in recent years, and ambulance officers are seeing an increase in reported overdoses.* “Just 1ml can be too much,” says Sky. “If someone you know has taken GHB and is getting drowsy, call 000. Don’t wait until they’re completely out of it.” For more information call 1800 250 015 or visit www.australia.gov.au/drugs. Consequences of using GHB can include:*** • Vomiting • Hallucinations • Drowsiness/grogginess • Impaired movement/speech • Reduced muscle tone • Slowed heart rate • Disorientation • Seizures/convulsions • Lowered blood pressure • Respiratory distress • Amnesia • Coma • Death Ice, or crystal methamphetamine, is a relatively “new” drug in Australia, which gained popularity during the heroin drought of 2001 Individuals featured in this image are in no way associated with this article. *Source: Study conducted by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)/AIDS Council of New South Wales. **Names have been changed. ***Source: drugs.health.gov.au ’’ ‘‘ Some ice users feel as though bugs are crawling under their skin, and dig at their arms until they are pitted with sores. icecrystal –a Rollercoaster round the time of this so-called “drought”, ice became more readily available, so it’s believed many people using illegal drugs were prompted to switch to crystal meth. “By 2007, ice was the most talked about drug on our helpline,” says Tony Trimingham, CEO and founder of Family Drug Support. A powerful, synthetic stimulant drug, ice is a potent form of methamphetamine that works by flooding the brain with monoamines, leading to a feeling of exhilaration and increased arousal. But, as the saying goes, what goes up, must come down. “Ice is a stimulant that keeps you awake,” says James Pitts, CEO of Odyssey House, a drug rehab facility in NSW. “When you’re not getting [sufficient] sleep, you’re not giving your body time to empty the day’s trash, which results in increased levels of stress. This can lead to an increase in mental illness.” Any Be still, my beating heart “Physically, ice can increase the risk of heart attack, strokes and seizures,” says Dr Daniel Brungs, senior resident medical officer at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. “But one of the worst things about ice is how it can change a person’s personality. People who are usually good and kind can become violently aggressive.” change in those chemicals in your brain can have long-term effects: psychosis is common, even for recreational users, and the hallucinations can last for extended periods. Other side effects include an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and uncontrollable violence. “Ice produces quite a lot of anger and aggression. It increases the libido which results in extreme and risky sexual behaviour,” says Trimingham. The result? A higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and HIV. The “high” experienced from ice is much more intense, and with intense reactions come powerful responses including comedown, the potential for addiction and chronic physical and mental health problems. Are you heading towards addiction? CEO of Odyssey House James Pitts says there are three common behaviours that may indicate a drug addiction: 1 Skipping school or work. 2 Changing your group of friends to hang around with others who support your habit. 3 An increasing preoccupation with drugs. “Generally, users don’t realise they have a problem,” says Pitts. “When drugs become more important than uni, work or friends, you’re addicted.” The need for speed  Angela Cooke* considered speed a relatively harmless drug. For a year, she took it “every other weekend”. Her GP gave her a wake-up call fter Angela contracted tonsillitis, she went to her GP for antibiotics. Just as she was about to leave, the doctor asked, “While I’ve got you here, how long have you been using meth?” He figured Angela was using due to her sallow cheeks and thin figure. It was a wake-up call – she stopped using then and there. “I thought, if he can tell I use speed by looking at me, does that mean my boss knows? And my parents?” Forensic toxicologist Andrew Leibie from Inverness Medical Australia says people often talk about speed as if somehow it might be less harmful than other kinds of recreational drugs, but this is absolutely not the case. “Most of the Did you know? In 2007, the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) of all Australians aged 14 years or older found that 2.3 million people had used an illicit drug in the past 12 months. Peer pressure plays a part, with 43 per cent of all people over 14 years reporting that peers influenced their first use of any drug. speed in Australia is cooked up in backyard labs,” he says. Speed produces effects that include confidence and energy. But users can also experience irritability, aggression, paranoia and psychosis. Leibie, who spends the bulk of his day drug-testing employees on behalf of workplaces, says people often don’t realise that the drug stays in your system for at least 24 hours. “You only need a tiny bit in your blood stream to impact your performance of complex tasks,” he explains. “If you have to think quickly, say, when the traffic lights change from green to orange, your reaction time is two to three times slower than when you’re straight. If your normal reaction time is half a second, you’re suddenly taking one to two seconds – and if someone breaks in front of you, you don’t have one or two seconds up your sleeve.” He remembers a guy who took speed at a party and the next day went The Consequences of using speed can include: • Chronic sleep problems • Cracked teeth through grinding • Panic attacks/anxiety • Insomnia • Decreased emotional control • Severe depression • Violent behaviour • Speed psychosis • Nerve cell damage • Death from heart failure or suicide • High risk of addiction • HIV and hepatitis infections through needle sharing ** to work, as a forklift operator. “He was driving a forklift with a couple of hundred kilos of steel around a factory,” Leibie says. After joking with workmates about racing the forklift, he suddenly accelerated and flew across the floor. He drove between two trucks and got stuck, completely destroying the forklift. “He tested positive to speed and he was fired on the spot,” says Leibie. For more information call 1800 250 015 or visit www. australia.gov.au/drugs. Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra f a s t f a c t : Speed psychosis is common with amphetamine overdose. It resembles paranoid schizophrenia. *Names have been changed. **Source: drugs.health.gov.au. All copy written by Sarah Megginson 