www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Information for Students
Many people in Britain drink alcohol, and some people use other drugs too. If you are thinking about drinking or other using drugs, it is important you know all the facts and the risks to help you come to a decision.
If you are under 18, you can get in trouble with the police for using illegal drugs or alcohol. If you are under 16, the police can also confiscate tobacco. If you are caught using illegal drugs, you could get a criminal record, whatever your age. This might stop you going abroad or getting a job in the future.
There are also health risks with drinking, smoking and taking other drugs. Avoiding illegal drug use is the only way to avoid the risks completely.
For more information about the risks and the law associated with drinking and taking drugs, see the links on the right.
It is easy to feel like you should drink or take drugs because your friends say that they do. But you shouldn’t feel pressured into doing something you don’t want to do. Sometimes people feel like they are bullied into doing these things, or they drink or take drugs to make them feel better about things that are happening to them. If this is the case, for you or for a friend, or if you think that things are getting out of control, there are plenty of people you can ask for help:
- Your parents, or an adult friend
- A teacher or youth worker
- A school nurse or doctor
There are also lots of helplines you can call:
- Childline 0800 1111
- Talk to Frank 0800 776600
- Drinkline 0800 917 8282
- Flux 01225 759944
In an emergency
- If you or a friend have taken drugs and feel very ill or sick or are unconscious, call 999
- Try to keep calm, and keep the person in a cool place with fresh air
- Tell the ambulance staff what drugs they have taken if you know, or show them to them.
For more information, see the links on the right.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the safer schools pages, please send them to saferschools@wiltshire.gov.uk or fill in and return our feedback form.
