Illegal Drugs - Student Booklet

Illegal Drugs - The Facts 9 For more information see www.positivechoices.org.au how to help a friend who has taken a drug Call 000 for an ambulance immediately if there is even the slightest risk that another person may be having an unusual reaction to a drug . a parent or guardian will only be notified if the person is under the age of 18 and taken to hospital . police will only be notified if there is a risk to their own personal safety or if someone dies . panic attacks These can happen due to the increased feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations that illegal drugs can bring on. These can be very frightening at the time, but it is important to know that these usually pass with time. what are some of the signs • Sweating and shaking • Chest pains and difficulty breathing • Increased heart rate • Sense of impending death • Dizziness, headaches, and lightheadedness • ‘Spaced-out’ and non-responsiveness what to do if someone has a panic attack • Calm them down and reassure them that the feeling will pass • Take them somewhere cool and quiet away from crowds and bright lights • Encourage them to relax and take long, slow, deep breaths • If they pass out due to over-breathing, follow the DRS-ABCD life support chart (see page 12) what to do in these situations :