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Recognising Risk Early.
Supporting Safer Choices Across Families,
Schools and Communities
Your Health and Your Future
Your body and mind are still growing. What happens now can affect how you feel in the future. Drugs and unsafe situations online can harm your health, but small choices and support early on can protect you.
Your Body
- Drugs can harm your heart, lungs, brain and stomach over time
- Sleep, appetite and energy can all be affected
- You might feel sick more often or find it harder to keep up with school, sports or hobbies
Your Mind
- Drugs can increase anxiety, low mood, or feeling “on edge”
- It can become harder to concentrate, remember things, or enjoy normal activities
- Online pressure, bullying or being asked for photos can affect confidence and self‑esteem
Your Future Plans
- Health problems can make it harder to focus on exams, training or work
- Legal or school problems linked to drugs can close off options
- Feeling stuck with drugs or unsafe people can delay goals you care about
You Still Have Choices
- You can ask for help at any time, even if you have used drugs or feel ashamed
- Talking to a trusted adult can help you stay safer and protect your health
- Making one small change now can make a big difference later
Your health and your future are worth protecting. You deserve support, information and safe people around you.
How People Might Try to Trick You
- Offering “free samples” or discounts on drugs
- Saying a drug is safe, natural or “not a big deal”
- Asking you to keep chats or photos secret
- Pretending to be your age when they are much older
- Moving conversations from games or social media to private chats
Staying Safe from Drugs Online
The internet can be a great place to learn, play and talk to friends. But some people use it to sell drugs or to trick young people. It is never your fault if someone makes you feel worried or unsafe online.
Warning Signs to Look Out For
- Someone asking for your address, school, or where you hang out
- Being pushed to meet in person or send photos
- Feeling pressured to do something you do not want to do
- Feeling scared to tell a parent, carer or trusted adult about a chat
What You Can Do
- Save messages or screenshots if you feel worried
- Block and report people who make you feel unsafe
- Talk to a trusted adult as soon as you can
- Remember you never have to meet anyone from online in real life
If anything online makes you feel uncomfortable, strange or worried, you deserve support. Speaking up is a strong and brave thing to do.
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