Illegal drugs are in common use in New Zealand. The SHORE Centre at Massey University estimates that 30% of children have tried cannabis by the age of 15.

Methamphetamine (“P”) use has also multiplied, and other drugs such as “home-bake” (home-made morphine or heroin) are commonly abused.

Ecstasy and GHB (the “date rape drug”) are still a significant problem. Even party pills (“herbal highs” or “dance pills”) are a $26 million a year industry – many of these are not illegal but they have not been researched and there is no evidence they are safe, especially when taken in combinations.

There is no stereotypical drug user any more – it includes all ages and backgrounds. The high level of use and acceptance (by some) is a concern, for parents in particular.

Common illegal drugs can get you hooked (addicted physically and/or psychologically) and for some people will produce varying serious mental and emotional effects, depending on the person.

Some of the stimulant drugs cause mood swings – a “downer” when the high wears off – or agitation or anxiety. Getting the same effect often means having to take larger amounts of the drug.

Depression is common, particularly if alcohol (also a depressant) is used at the same time as cannabis. As for the lungs, three cannabis joints a day is the same as smoking 20 cigarettes – so it’s a mistake to think of it as a harmless habit. The personal fallout may mean dropping out of school, losing a job and income, or injuries and accidents from operating machinery. More workplaces are now implementing drug testing as a precaution.

Young people are more likely to get involved in dangerous situations (sometimes with legal consequences), such as driving while using drugs – now tested for at random police checks.

Illegal drugs are unlikely to disappear, but parents can try to reduce the potential harm by educating children on the dangers and risks, and offering advice to keep them and their friends safe.

It’s worth establishing some drug ground rules for your family and making sure they know you’ll be available to talk. If you think your child may be developing a drug habit, get onto it immediately.

Research from the US shows children who start to drink alcohol or use drugs before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become addicted to these substances than those who start after age 21. Talk with the child about the situation calmly, without judgement, and avoid an argument.

Confidential support and advice is available from many agencies and groups, for example, the Alcohol Drug Helpline (freephone 0800 787 797).

Young people need to be able to talk to an adult they trust, ideally their parents or a GP, school counsellor, youth worker, police youth aid officer, kaumatua or Youthline (Helpline 0800 37 66 33 or Free TXT 234).

Make sure your children know, if they see someone becoming unwell while using drugs, to dial 111 immediately. Give the ambulance team as much information as possible - what drugs were taken, when and how, and any other substances they may have used.

Check out the websites: www.addictionshelp.org.nz,  New Zealand Drug Foundation www.nzdf.org.nz and Community Drug and Alcohol Services www.cads.org.nz for more help.

(Published in the Sunday News, 17 January 2010)

More everybody MYHEALTH columns from Barbara Docherty

Barbara Docherty is a registered nurse and clinical lecturer at the University of Auckland School of Nursing, and writer for the everybody.co.nz website. The opinions contained herein are those of the author and not necessarily those of the publisher or sponsor. Copyright UBM Medica (NZ) Ltd.