Alcohol And Drugs

popping a drug into the mouth Most people are aware that drinking in excess and drugs can damage the health. There is also a clear link between these and certain types of crime.

Driving under the influence is the obvious example, but as well as this there are public disorder offences, such as football hooliganism and vandalism, which are particularly associated with alcohol.

There are also indirect links to crime. Alcohol and drugs may create the sort of unhappy family from which children are more likely to turn to crime. They may also be a contributing factor to a case of domestic violence.

By the time they are teenagers, many children will be drinking socially at parties. Although most do so sensibly, a number come to harm through excess. You can help protect them by warning them of the dangers, particularly about drink-driving, and by setting a good example.

Drugs, however, are illegal. They can be extremely dangerous, as well as lead people on to other crime.

You can look out for the signs of someone who is taking drugs, and read what to do if your child or someone overdoses.

Drugs - Keep Your Children Safe

pills Taking drugs like heroin, cocaine or LSD is illegal, because such drugs are extremely dangerous.

If your children take illegal drugs, it can lead to other crimes. They may steal, for example, to get money to pay for their habit. And while feeling 'high' they may turn to other crimes, like car-theft, or so-called 'joy-riding', or even more serious offences.

If your child takes drugs, you may notice he or she:

Changes mood suddenly;
Is bad tempered and aggressive;
Isn't really eating much;
Stops sports, hobbies, schoolwork or seeing friends;
Gets sleepy a lot of the time, and maybe starts telling a lot of lies.

Of course, these can also be the signs of a young person going through the phases of adolescence, they don't necessarily mean they are taking drugs!

Other more obvious signs might include:

Money and things disappear;
Smells, stains or marks on their body or clothes;
Powders, tablets, burnt tinfoil or needles.

If your child is taking drugs, the dangers are from accidents while intoxicated, accidental overdose or becoming addicted. Drugs also have side-effects which include terrifying hallucinations, mental and emotional disorders, infections, sores, blood poisoning, and other illnesses.

If you think your child is taking drugs, you can seek help through one of the links provided on the right.

Solvents

the effects of drug abuse on the health Solvents are found in products like aerosols, glue, lighter fuel, paint and petrol. When their vapours are inhaled, they produce a similar effect to alcohol.

But sniffing these vapours can depress the bodily functions like breathing and heart rate, and can cause disorientation and unconsciousness. Solvent sniffers can lose control of their behaviour, and become more reckless and less able to deal with danger.

Solvent abuse can cause death through suffocation, or from fright or exertion through the effect it has on the heart. Someone who has sniffed until they are unconscious can die through choking on their own vomit.

In an Emergency

If your child overdoses:

Get him or her into fresh air
Turn them onto their side
Try not to leave them alone - if they are sick, they could inhale their vomit
Ring a doctor or 999 for an ambulance
Take any powders or tablets near your child to the hospital

Useful Links

If you'd like further information on or help with Personal Safety, please check out some of the links below:

Leaflets and Information

Image of reading glasses The Home Office web site offers information on a variety of Crime Reduction matters, including statistics, policies, advice and published material.

Security Systems ACPO Policy

Security Systems Policy
(PDF download - 417kb)
Appendix A
(PDF download - 40kb)

The Police Response to Security Systems form is for registering an alarm system with Surrey Police.

Alcohol And Drugs - Crime Prevention - Surrey Police

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