How drug use can impact your life? Drugs can appear initially to have positive effects – lifting your mood, relaxing you or even giving you more energy. However, they can also have negative impacts on your mental and physical health, your relationships, and your life in general. When you are making your decision, consider the following points: Do you know what you are really taking? For example, most ecstasy is not actually MDMA. What do you know about the person who's selling you the drug? Are you taking anything else (alcohol, illicit drugs, over the counter or prescribed medication) that might interact with the drug? How likely is it that you will have a positive experience? How do you know that the next experience is also going to be a positive one? Do you know that you will be able to control your drug usage and that it will be safe? Can you really afford it? Do you know the safest method of use? Are you in the right environment – is there someone to help if something goes wrong? Do you know what the risks are, and what to do if something goes wrong? It is your choice to decide whether or not the risk of taking the drug is worth it for you.

Consider the long-term effects Your relationships – increase conflict Safety School / TAFE / university – reduced concentration Work/finances Violence- Some drugs, like amphetamines, can increase the likelihood of acting in a violent way, or being the victim of violence. Mental health- depression, psychosis Injuries and accidents -When you are under the influence of drugs you might find yourself doing things that you would not normally do, STI

National Drugs Strategy Household Surveys In 2013, just over 40% of Australians either smoked daily, drank alcohol in ways that put them at risk of harm or used an illicit drug in the previous 12 months; 3.1% engaged in all 3 of these behaviours.

People in the lowest socioeconomic status group, the unemployed, people who live in Remote and Very remote areas, and Indigenous Australians continue to be more likely to smoke daily than other population groups. Meth/amphetamine use was highest among people in Remote and Very remote areas and those people were twice as likely to have used meth/amphetamines as people in non-remote areas. Use of illicit drugs in the last 12 months was far more common among people who identified as being homosexual or bisexual

National Drugs Strategy Household Surveys Smoking—a significant decline in daily smoking between 2010 and 2013 (from 15.1% to 12.8%); younger people are delaying the take up of smoking; and smokers reduced the average number of cigarettes smoked per week. Alcohol—fewer people in Australia drank alcohol in harmful quantities in 2013; the proportion of young people abstaining from alcohol rose; and there was a decline in alcohol-related victimisation. Illicit use of drugs—declines in use of some illegal drugs in 2013, including ecstasy, heroin and GHB; while meth/amphetamine use did not increase, there was a change in the main form used with ice (or crystal methamphetamine) replacing powder; and there was a rise in the misuse of pharmaceuticals.

Counselling and support Beyondblue Beyondblue: the national depression initiative. Opening our eyes to depression throughout Australia. Cannabis Information and Helpline A confidential information and support line for cannabis users and friends and family who are concerned about cannabis use by those close to them. with a professional counsellor about an alcohol or drug related concern, using text interaction. Headspace Headspace provides mental and health wellbeing support, information and services to young people and their families across Australia. Kids Help Line A national phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 18 years. It's free, anonymous and completely confidential.

Counselling and support Lifeline A national 24-hour phone counselling service there to help you through any problem, no matter how big or small. Mensline To empower Australian men to actively participate in building and sustaining healthy personal relationships that support healthy families, workplaces and communities. SANE Helpline Mental health information and help on the phone (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm) or online. Somazone Somazone is an Australian website developed by young people for young people. Somazone provides fast, free, anonymous access to quality-assured health information. Somazone is a program of the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) and aims to empower young people to address their physical, emotional and social health needs in a way that is relevant and non judgemental. Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre Turning Point strives to promote and maximise the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities living with and affected by alcohol and other drug related harms. Youth Substance Abuse Service The Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS) is a statewide community service providing a continuum of services for young people aged between 12 and 21 who are experiencing problems related to alcohol and other drugs.