Substances

• Alcohol: A legal substance in most places for those over 21. It’s a depressant, meaning it slows down your brain and body functions. While it might make you feel relaxed or happy, drinking too much can lead to serious health problems, addiction, and dangerous behaviour. 
• Cannabis (Marijuana): Although legal in some areas, cannabis can affect your memory, coordination, and decision-making skills. It’s often smoked or eaten in foods called edibles. Regular use, especially by teens, can lead to long-term mental health issues. 
• Prescription Drugs: Medications prescribed by a doctor, like painkillers or ADHD meds, are safe when used correctly but can be dangerous or addictive if misused. Taking someone else’s prescription or using it differently than prescribed is illegal and risky.

• Peer Pressure: It’s common to feel like you need to fit in with friends who are using substances. Remember, it's okay to say no, and real friends will respect your choices.
• Stress and Escapism: Life can be stressful, and some teens turn to substances to cope with anxiety, depression, or difficult situations. While it might seem like a quick fix, substances often make these problems worse in the long run. 

• Curiosity: Many teens try substances out of curiosity, wanting to experience the effects for themselves. However, experimenting can lead to unintended consequences, including addiction or legal trouble.

• Short-Term Effects: Depending on the substance, you might feel euphoric, relaxed, or energised. However, there can also be negative effects like nausea, dizziness, loss of control, or aggressive behaviour. 
• Long-Term Effects: Continued use can lead to serious health issues like liver damage, heart disease, lung problems, or mental health disorders. Substances can also impact your school performance, relationships, and future goals.

• Myth: "Everyone is doing it." - Fact: Most teens actually choose not to use substances. It might seem like everyone is doing it because those who do are often more vocal about it. 
• Myth: "It’s safe to use drugs if they’re natural." - Fact: Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s safe. For example, cannabis and mushrooms can have powerful effects that can harm your mental and physical health.

County lines is a tactic used by individuals known as organised crime groups or criminal gangs, to establish drug dealing operations in area’s outside their usual locality, mostly in small towns, these gangs will target young vulnerable people with the intent to exploit them criminally, these gangs will befriend you, may show you respect and status and lure you in with the promise of making money, they will groom you, offer you drugs, money, designer clothes, trainers, new mobiles phones, vapes in order to gain your trust, and they will ultimately use you and manipulate you into running drugs for them.

The links below show a short a film of how a young person was groomed and exploited into becoming involved in county lines and how to spot the signs of county lines: