Drug Education Student Booklet

10 † Names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. CALL 000 IMMEDIATELY IF THERE IS EVEN THE SLIGHTEST RISK THAT A PERSON IS HAVING AN UNUSUAL OR CONCERNING REACTION TO ALCOHOL OR 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. 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 ● Feeling ‘spaced-out’ ● 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 13) COMMON REACTIONS AND HOW TO RESPOND PANIC ATTACKS These can happen due to the increased feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations that drugs can bring on. These can be very frightening at the time, but it is important to know that these usually pass with time. “STUDENTS WOULD FIND THIS INFORMATION USEFUL BECAUSE IN A SITUATION CONTAINING DRUGS THEY WOULD KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT OR SEEK HELP.” - CLARE † , 15 HOW TO HELP A FRIEND WHO HAS TAKEN A DRUG