Drugs
Making informed choices about drug use is essential for staying safe and protecting your well-being.
Whether you use substances occasionally, regularly, or are simply looking out for friends, understanding harm reduction strategies can help minimise risks and prevent serious consequences.
This page provides practical advice on safer use, recognising signs of overdose, and accessing support – without judgment.
Our goal is to empower you with knowledge so you can make the safest choices possible in any situation.
Is your drug use harmful?
The facts about drugs
Benzodiazepines (Benzos)
Benzodiazepines (or “benzos”) are a group of sedative drugs often prescribed to help with anxiety, sleep problems, or muscle tension. You might recognise names like diazepam (Valium), which is one of the most commonly used in the UK. They’re also sometimes used recreationally.
Benzos work by boosting a natural chemical in the brain called GABA, which helps slow things down. This can leave you feeling calmer, more relaxed, and sometimes a bit sleepy. Effects usually kick in within about 30 minutes and can last several hours.
Harm Reduction Tips
- Start low and go slow, especially if you’re unsure of strength or tolerance.
- Try not to use alone - being around people you trust is safer.
- Avoid mixing with alcohol or other depressants, as this can increase the risk of overdose.
- Don’t mix different benzodiazepines together.
- Benzos can affect coordination and reaction time, so driving or operating machinery isn’t a good idea.
- If you’ve been taking them regularly, don’t stop suddenly - this can be dangerous. Speak to a healthcare professional about reducing gradually.
- Be cautious of fake or counterfeit pills, especially those sold as diazepam. If it’s not prescribed to you, you can’t be sure what’s in it — consider starting with a very small “tester” dose.
Cannabis
Cannabis comes from the Cannabis plant and is used in a few different forms, including herbal cannabis, resin (hash), and oil. The main active ingredient is THC, which is what causes most of the effects.
People usually smoke cannabis in a joint (sometimes mixed with tobacco), but it can also be vaped, eaten, or added to food and drinks like cakes or tea.
The effects can vary. Many people feel relaxed, happy, or more chatty, and things like music or food might feel more intense. For others, it can cause drowsiness, confusion, or anxiety — especially with stronger strains.
Harm Reduction Tips
- Use in a place where you feel safe, especially if you’re new or unsure how it affects you.
- If you’re prone to anxiety, panic, or certain mental health conditions, cannabis may make symptoms worse.
- Start low and go slow - strength can vary a lot, so take a small amount and wait to see how it feels.
- Give it time between doses (at least 30 minutes, longer for edibles).
- Avoid sharing joints, vapes, or pipes to reduce the spread of infections.
- Bongs and pipes can lead to deeper inhalation, which may increase harm to your lungs.
- Keep equipment clean and avoid makeshift devices (like plastic bottles), as they can release harmful fumes.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant. It usually comes as a white powder and is most often snorted, though some people swallow it or use it in other ways.
It’s known for its short, sharp effects — people often feel more energetic, confident, and alert. However, these effects don’t last long, which can lead to repeated use in a short space of time.
Crack cocaine is a stronger, fast-acting form that comes as small “rocks”. It’s usually smoked and produces a very quick but intense high.
Harm Reduction Tips
- Start low and go slow - higher doses increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or seizures.
- Avoid mixing with alcohol or other drugs. Combining cocaine and alcohol creates a toxic substance in the body called cocaethylene.
- The short-lived effects can lead to repeated use, which increases risk and can leave people feeling low, anxious, or burnt out afterwards.
- Higher doses can cause anxiety, panic, or paranoia.
- Try not to use alone - being around people you trust can make things safer.
- Snorting can damage the inside of the nose over time. Rinsing your nose after use may help reduce irritation.
- Don’t share straws, keys, or other equipment to reduce the risk of infections like hepatitis.
Ecstacy (MDMA)
Ecstasy (also known as MDMA) usually comes as tablets in different colours and designs, but it can also appear as powder or crystals. It’s most often swallowed, though some people snort it.
It’s a stimulant with mild hallucinogenic effects, often linked to nightlife and dance settings. People commonly report feeling energetic, emotionally open, and more connected to others and their surroundings. Effects usually start within 20–60 minutes and can last for several hours.
Harm Reduction Tips
- Start low and go slow - strength and contents can vary a lot. Some people begin with a quarter of a pill.
- There’s no guarantee what’s in a pill unless it’s been tested, so consider drug checking services where available.
- Some people feel anxious, confused, or low after use, and the “comedown” can last a few days.
- Regular or high use has been linked to memory issues and problems with mood, as well as strain on the heart, liver, and kidneys.
- If you have existing health conditions (especially heart, liver, or mental health), ecstasy may increase risks.
- Dancing for long periods can lead to overheating and dehydration - take breaks to cool down.
- Sip fluids regularly (around one pint of water or non-alcoholic drink per hour), but avoid drinking excessive amounts.
Ketamine
Ketamine is a dissociative drug used medically as an anaesthetic. In non-medical settings, it’s usually found as a white powder or crystals, though it can also come as a liquid. It’s most commonly snorted, but can also be swallowed.
The effects can come on quickly, especially when snorted, and may last from around 20 minutes to a couple of hours. People often describe feeling detached from their body or surroundings, sometimes like they’re floating. Coordination and sensation can be reduced, and at higher doses, people may experience intense hallucinations or an out-of-body state known as a “K-hole.”
Harm Reduction Tips
- Frequent or heavy use can seriously damage the bladder (sometimes called “ketamine bladder”), leading to pain, incontinence, and long-term problems. Taking breaks (at least a couple of weeks) can help reduce risk.
- Dependence can develop, so giving yourself days off and avoiding regular use is safer.
- Avoid mixing with alcohol or other depressant drugs, as this increases the risk of breathing problems and unconsciousness.
- Higher doses can cause blackouts, confusion, or temporary paralysis, increasing the risk of injury - use in a safe place with people you trust.
- Ketamine can affect coordination and awareness, so accidents are more likely.
- Snorting can irritate the nose - rinsing your nose after use may help reduce damage.
- Stay hydrated with non-alcoholic drinks, especially if using over a longer period.
Opiates
Opioids are a group of drugs that include prescribed painkillers like codeine, as well as illegal drugs like heroin. They’re usually used to treat moderate to severe pain.
They work by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing how pain is felt and often creating a sense of relaxation or euphoria. Because of these effects, there’s a risk of dependence, especially with regular use.
Harm Reduction Tips
- Start low and go slow, especially if you’re unsure of strength or tolerance.
- Be aware that some drugs may be contaminated with powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl or nitazenes, which greatly increase overdose risk.
- Avoid using alone - if something goes wrong, no one can help.
- Carry naloxone where possible. It’s a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and is available from local services. Always call an ambulance, even if naloxone has been used.
- Mixing opioids with other depressants (like alcohol or benzodiazepines) increases the risk of breathing stopping.
- If using pills that aren’t prescribed to you, consider taking a small “tester” amount first.
- If injecting or smoking, use clean equipment every time. Needle exchange services can provide sterile supplies and reduce the risk of HIV and hepatitis.
- If you’re using regularly, try to take breaks and seek support if you’re concerned about dependence.
