Frequently Asked Questions

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Are all drugs addictive?

It depends on what we mean by addiction.

Psychological Dependency can happen with any drug (or anything else for that matter). This means that the person using drugs feels they cannot cope or face the world unless they are under the influence of drugs. This form of dependency has more to do with the people using the drug rather than about the particular drug they are taking.

In contrast people can only become physically dependent on certain drugs.

Physical Dependency results from the repeated, heavy use of drugs like heroin, tranquillisers and even alcohol. Heavy and continual use of these drugs can change the body chemistry so that if someone does not get a repeat dose they suffer physical withdrawal symptoms - the shakes, flu like effects. They have to keep taking the drug just to stop themselves from feeling ill.

An interesting fact is that continual use of drugs like cannabis, ecstasy and LSD does not result in physical dependency, even though people may become psychologically dependent. With other drugs – and particularly stimulant drugs such as cocaine, crack, amphetamine and the nicotine in cigarettes – there is debate over the extent that physical dependence can occur.

What are the most commonly used drugs?

The most commonly used mood altering drug used in the Ireland is caffeine – contained in tea, coffee, many soft drinks and colas, some confectionery, included in many medicines and available in over-the-counter stimulant preparations such as Pro Plus. Apart from medicines in general the next most commonly used drug is alcohol, followed by the nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco based products.

When it comes to illegal and other socially unacceptable drugs the menu, from the one most people have ever tried down to the one least people have tried, goes like this:

Cannabis

Amphetamine

Nitrites/ poppers

LSD

Magic mushrooms

Ecstasy

Solvents (aerosols, gases and glues)

Cocaine

Minor tranquillisers (not prescribed)

Heroin and crack cocaine

This list is subject to change with different trends.

Why do young people take drugs?

Despite all the concerns about illicit drug use and the attendant lifestyle by young people, it is probably still the case that the lives of most young people are centred on school, home and employment and that most drug use is restricted to the use of tobacco and alcohol.

Enjoyment is a factor, the evidence of drug use within youth suggests that the experience of substances is often pleasurable rather than negative and damaging. So probably the main reason why young people take drugs is that they enjoy them.

There is also the Enviromental Factors, Many young people live in communities which suffer from multiple deprivation, with high unemployment, low quality housing and where the surrounding infra-structure of local services is fractured and poorly resourced. In such communities drug supply and use often thrive as an alternative economy often controlled by powerful criminal groups. As well as any use that might be associated with the stress and boredom of living in such communities, young people with poor job prospects recognise the financial advantages and the status achievable through the business of small scale supply of drugs.

However, drug use is certainly not restricted to areas of urban deprivation. As the press stories of expulsions from private schools and drug use in rural areas show, illicit drug use is an aspect of our society from top to bottom and in all regions.

Curiosity is another factor, Most young people are naturally curious and want to experiment with different experiences. For some, drugs are a good conversation point, they are interesting to talk about and fascinate everyone.

Some young people will use drugs as a Defence Mechanism specifically to ease the trauma and pain of unsatisfactory relationships and the physical and emotional abuse arising from unhappy home lives. Such young people will often come to the attention of the school. If these problems can be addressed, then if drugs are involved they can become less of a problem.

Natural Rebellion whether or not part of any particular subset of youth culture, young people like to be exclusive, own something that is personal to themselves and consciously or unconsciously drug use may act as a means of defiance to provoke adults into a reaction.

Availability is often the cause of considerable pressure to use legal substances. Alcohol and pain-relieving drugs are regularly advertised on television. The advertising of tobacco products is now banned on television, but recent research from Strathclyde University published by the Cancer Research Campaign concluded that cigarette advertising does encourage young people to start smoking and reinforces the habit among existing smokers.

Despite legislation, children and teenagers have no problems obtaining alcohol and tobacco from any number of retail outlets. Breweries refurbish pubs with young people in mind, bringing in music, games, more sophisticated decor and so on while the general acceptance of these drugs is maintained through sports sponsorship, promotions and other marketing strategies.Obviously, the illicit market is more discreet, but those determined to experiment appear to have little trouble obtaining drugs.

Cost is often a factor that effects drug use and especially as to which drug is used. Cannabis sufficient for a few joints would cost about € 5, while an LSD trip would also cost around € 5. In terms of how long the effects last, this compares very favourably with an average price for a pint of lager of around € 5. By the same token, ecstasy of highly variable quality is still selling for up to € 15 a tablet and many drug users have been voting with their wallet and turning to cheaper drugs such as LSD and amphetamine.

Should drugs be legalised?  

The call for the present drug laws to be changed has come from many quarters and is something we often see regularly in the News. The reasons for wanting change and for maintaining them are given here. The debate itself can be broken down into three key elements:

  Civil liberties versus the duty of the state;

  The harm caused by drugs and enforcing prohibition;

  How would a legalised regime be managed ?

Civil liberties (Freedom to use)

The degree to which the state is justified in interfering in the private life of the citizen thereby restricting freedom of choice is hotly debated. The principle of personal choice is applied to a wide range of private activities and why not drug use?

Duty to protect

On the other hand, if by using drugs, an individual is causing significant harm to themselves or others, the state can rightfully seek to counteract that harm. Compulsory wearing of seatbelts is an example. In legislating against drug use, the government is seen to be discouraging a potentially harmful behaviour. Legalising any drug would be sending out the message to society that intoxication is a sanctioned behaviour. 

Harm / Health impact

Increasingly health is cited as the main reason for prohibition. The latest international review of cannabis by the World Health Organisation highlights dangers such as lung and throat cancer, and increasing incidence of mental health problems due to prolonged heavy use in a minority of users. Consideration should also be given to whether the harm drugs cause, which may not be great for many users, warrants the government’s intervention.

While the drug laws are there to prevent what the government sees as harmful behaviour, some see the laws harmful in themselves. They are seen as making users criminals, creating strong and lucrative black markets and stigmatising those who need help the most - the addict.

How would legalisation be managed?  

Crucial to the debate on legalisation are the issues around the practicalities of one situation over another. On the one hand making drugs legal and more available will result in more use and so increasing the incidence of harmful side effects - at great cost to society. On the other hand, removing a black market could raise drug related revenues to the government, save on police costs and help regulate the sale and consumption of drugs through regulated sales (as is done with alcohol).

Other related issues  

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