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Drugs and you

	It is very likely that you will come into contact with drugs of some description. Smoking and drinking are seen as part of everyday life and there is widespread use of illegal drugs.
Peer pressure
	It is easy to think that everyone is taking drugs and that you are missing out on something, or that you will look 'scared' if you don't take them. Do you try them? Do you have the confidence in your own judgement to say no if you do not want them? How would you react if you felt that a friend was getting into trouble with drugs? Would you be strong enough to talk to them about it and help them to get the help they need? There is plenty of advice available about drugs. The Talk to Frank web site and telephone line can help and it is worth thinking about your attitudes to drugs so that you are prepared to deal with them in the best way for you. The main thing is to know about all the risks and not get pushed into doing something you don't want to.

You and drugs risk

Whether or not you take drugs is a decision that only you will make and your attitudes to taking risks will influence this decision. Use the quiz to help you think about how you would deal with the risks involved around drugs. The answers are not recorded on any computer and your responses are completely anonymous.

Select the options which best describes you.

Questionnaire

Question

Choose response

I will probably start smoking, even though I know it causes cancer.

		I won't smoke at all.
		I might smoke but not much.
		I probably will smoke.
		I already smoke .

I would try some ecstasy tablets if a friend gave them to me in a night club.

		No, I'd refuse to try one.
		Probably not, but it would depend on who was there.
		I'd think hard about it, but maybe try one
		Why not? There's no problem with ecstasy.

I'd take an ecstasy tablet I'd bought off a stranger in a night club.

		No chance.
		I would possibly buy ecstasy in a night club.
		I'd buy them if a friend said they were ok.
		Yes, they'll probably be safe.

I don't have any plans for my future. I'll just see what happens.

		I know what I will be doing once I have left school.
		I have a fairly good idea of what I would like to do after school.
		My life is not planned out but I've got ideas on what I'd like to do.
		I'm like that all the time. Just take one day at a time.

At a party, a friend is handing around a cannabis joint. What would you do?

		Make an excuse and leave the party.
		Ignore them and maybe move to a different room.
		Stay with your friends but refuse to smoke the joint.
		Smoke the joint to show you are up to it.

How safe do you think alcohol is?

		Alcohol is a drug like any other. It can cause problems.
		Drinking is ok so long as you don't drink too much.
		Drinking at weekends if fine but not every night of the week.
		It's safe to drink, it won't kill you. It's not even illegal.

Would you go into a pub or club and buy alcohol before you are 18?

If you are over 18, think back to when you were 16/17.

		No, I wouldn't buy alcohol.
		I would do if it was an organised event like a sports club.
		Yes, but only very occasionally with friends.
		I already go into pubs regularly.

A friend has two tablets. They have been told they make you feel good but they don't know what they are. Would you try one?

		No chance.
		Probably not but I might try one if my friend said it was ok.
		I'd give it a go so long as my friend took one at the same time.
		Yes, it would be good to see what they are.

What do you think of people who are addicted to injecting heroin?

		They are criminals and should be locked up.
		They can't help themselves and should be treated.
		It is their choice.
		No-one is forced to become addicted. They could stop if they wanted to.

10.

Would you try a highly addictive drug, like crack cocaine?

		Never.
		Probably not.
		I would possibly try it just the once, to see what it was like.
		Yes. I could control how much I used if I liked it.