A drug is a chemical that changes how your body and mind work.
The most common types of drugs are:
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Everyday substances - coffee and prescription medication
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Legal (for people over 18) – cigarettes, vaping and alcohol
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Illegal – speed, cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis (marijuana)
Most drugs are illegal for people under the age of 18, as they’re very harmful to your health and wellbeing.
Source: Kids Helpline
GENERAL INFO
Links and phone numbers throughout this site are live, tap to access.
Alcohol: TINO: About alcohol
ReachOut: Alcohol and drugs
Kids Helpline: Drugs and Alcohol
ReachOut: Alcohol addiction
DARTA: Facts sheets
DrinkWise: Know the facts
DrinkWise: Health effects of alcohol
USA : Teens Health: Alcohol
Drugs:
ADF: Drug facts
HealthLine: Schizophrenia and weed
E-cigarettes & vaping:
DARTA: E-cigarettes and Vaping
SELF HELP
Talk to your GP/doctor or contact Your Crew to
help you such as help you speak to your parents or get you to your doctor.
If you feel at immediate risk call 000
Call Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
See A-Z: Overdose and too much alcohol
DrinkWise: support services
MHC: Alcohol and drug support services
DARTA: How do you look after a drunk friend
DARTA: How do you look after a vomiting drunk friend
Recovery position:
DARTA: Recovery position
Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS)
The Alcohol and Drug Information Centres are state and territory-based services that offer information, advice, referral, intake, assessment and support 24 hours a day. ADIS offers services for individuals, their family and friends, general practitioners, other health professionals and business and community groups.
ADIS counsellors understand the difficulties of finding appropriate drug and alcohol treatment and use their knowledge and experience to assist callers.
Australian Capital Territory Alcohol & Drug Program : 02 6205 4545
New South Wales : 02 9361 8000 (Sydney) or 1800 422 599 (NSW regional and rural
Northern Territory Alcohol & Other Drug Services : 1800 629 683 (NT general) or 08 8922 8399 (Darwin) or 08 8951 7580 (Alice Springs)
Queensland ADIS : 07 3837 5989 or 1800 177 833
South Australia ADIS : 08 8363 8618 or 1300 131 340
Tasmania ADIS : 03 6233 6722 or 1800 811 994
Victoria Directline : 1800 888 236
Western Australia ADIS : 08 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 or for parents: 08 9442 5050, 1800 653 203 (WA only)
FORUMS, TOOLS & VIDEOS
From National Institute of Drug Abuse USA (nb. these numbers do not work in Australia)
Drugs: Shatter the myths
TEDXFurmanU: Wasted: Exposing the Family Effect of Addiction | Sam Fowler
Wasted: Exposing the family effect of addiction
Health Talk: Drugs and Alcohol (young people)
Crewing for or helping others
Sometimes, it can be hard to know what to do to support someone. You may feel stressed or scared you'll say the wrong thing.
Remember your main role as Crew or a supportive friend or family is to listen, acknowledge and communicate support. That can mean calling a professional service such as Kids Helpline or, in an emergency, calling 000 They can also guide you on what to do.
See How to Ask If Your Friend Is OK video
If you are under 18 years old, you can also reach out to an adult or your Crew to help you support someone.
See Professional and Urgent Help for a list of services with live phone numbers and links
See Pathways to Help
DARTA: Reading for parents
Alcohol Think Again: Information on Alcohol use in teens for parents
DARTA: Schoolies facts sheet
ReachOut: Alcohol drinking and teenagers
Kids Helpline: Teens using drugs and alcohol
Your Room: Your guide to dealing with teenagers and alcohol
DrinkWise: Let them try it or deny it? Alcohol and your teen
ADF: A guide to having open conversations about alcohol and other drugs with young people
Articles of interest:
The Atlantic: How Iceland got teens to say no to drugs
