Alcohol
You will find alcohol in drinks such as beer, lager, alcopops, cider, wine and spirits. Alcoholic drinks have different strengths with are measured as a % by volume (the higher the % the stronger the drink). It is illegal to SELL alcohol to under 18s, but at 16 and 17 you can have an alcoholic drink with a meal in a restaurant.

Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic Steroids can only be sold lawfully by a pharmacist to someone with a doctor's prescription. Possession without a prescription isn't illegal, but supply is against the law and Class C penalties apply. Use for sport is also prohibited. Most are injected, but some can be swallowed. They are similar to and include the male hormone testosterone.

Cannabis
(Also known as marijuana, draw, blow, weed, puff, shit, hash and ganja). Cannabis is a natural substance, which comes from the 'Cannabis Sativa' plant. It either comes as a solid dark lump known as 'resin' or leaves, stalks and seeds called 'grass' or as a sticky oil. It can be rolled with tobacco in a spliff or joint, smoked on its own in a special pipe, or eaten. There are different strengths of cannabis, e.g skunk which is very strong. Cannabis is a Class C drug, but Class A penalties can apply to the oil.

Cocaine
(Also known as coke, charlie, snow and C). Cocaine is a white powder that is usually snorted up the nose but it can be injected. It is a Class A drug.

Crack
(Also known as rock, wash and stone). Crack is a smokeable form of cocaine. It is a Class A drug. It is more intense than cocaine.

Drugs Classification
The Misuse of Drugs Act divides drugs into three classes and gives guidelines for penalties. This guide only relates to the UK. (See individual drugs for their classification).

Class A Drugs.
The maximum penalty for possession is 7 years prison and/or a fine. The maximum penalty for supply is life imprisonment and/or a fine.

Class B Drugs
The maximum penalty for possession is 5 years prison and/or a fine. The maximum penalty for supply is 14 years prison and/or a fine.

Class C Drugs
The maximum penalty for possession is 2 years prison and/or a fine. The maximum penalty for supply is 14 years prison and/or a fine.

Some of the drugs mentionned in this glossary are not classed, but are controlled by the Medicines Act.

Ecstasy
(Also know as E, fantasy, doves, mitsubishis, dolphins, rolexes). Ecstasy usually comes in tablets of different shapes, sizes and colours, but they are often white. It is a Class A drug.

Gases, Glues and Aerosols (Solvents)
These are found in lighter gas refills and fuel cannisters, aerosols (such as hairspray, deodorant and air fresheners), tins or tubes of glue, some paints, thinners and correcting fluids. They are sniffed or inhaled into the lungs. It is illegal to SELL gas lighter refills to anyone under 18. It is also illegal to sell gasses, glues and aerosols to anyone under 18 when abuse is suspected.

GHB
(Also known as GBH) GHB comes as a colourless liquid and is sold in small bottles or capsules. The liquid is measured out in capfuls and then swallowed. It has no smell, but a salty taste. It can be used as an alternative to Anabolic Steroids. Possession of GHB isn't illegal, but supply is against the law.

Heroin
(Also known as smack, brown, horse, gear, H, steps, junk, skag and jack). Heroin is a pain killing drug made from Morphine, which is derived from the Opium Poppy. When it is pure it comes as a white powder, but street heroin is usually brownish-white. It can be snorted, smoked or injected. It is a Class A drug.

Ketamine
(Also known as special K, vitamin K and K). Ketamine is an anaesthetic, which is also used by vets. It is only available legally as an injectable liquid, but it comes as tablets or powder (snorted up the nose) when it is produced illegally. It is illegal to supply.

LSD
(Also known as acid, trips, tabs, blotters, microdots and dots). LSD usually comes in tiny squares of paper, often with a picture on one side. It is a Class A drug.

Magic Mushrooms
(Also known as shrooms, mushies). There are several types of Magic Mushrooms that grow in the wild in the UK. The main type is the liberty cap mushroom. Some species of mushroom can look similar to magic mushrooms, but are poisonous. They are eaten raw, dried, cooked in food or stewed into a tea. The law has recently changed and it is now illegal to possess or supply magic mushrooms whether they are fresh (raw) or have been prepared (dried out). These are a Class A drug.

Poppers
Poppers is a term used for the group of chemicals know as alkyl nitrites. They come as a clear or straw coloured liquid in a small bottle or tube. The vapour is breathed in through the mouth or nose. Amyl nitrite is a prescription only medicine, supply can be an offence, but possession is not illegal.

Speed (Amphetamines)
(Also known as whizz, uppers, amph, billy and sulphates). Speed usually somes as a grey, white or dirty white powder. It may also come in tablet form. It can be snorted, swallowed, injected or smoked. Amphetamines are Class B drugs, but can become Class A if prepared for injection.

Tobacco
Tobacco contains a drug called nicotine, which is very addictive. It is illegal to SELL tobacco to under 16s.

Tranquillisers
Tranqullisers are prescribed by GPs as short term treatments for anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Some people use them to counter the effects of stimulant drugs, or take them in combination when users are unable to obtain alcohol or heroin. They can be supplied lawfully only by pharmacists to someone with a doctor's prescription. Possession isn't illegal (except for temazepam), however supply is against the law and it is a Class C drug.