• To relieve stress or bad feelings
• Social influence
• To feel closer to their mates, peer pressure
• Out of curiosity
• To feel more in control
• Out of hopelessness

Illicit drugs are never safe.

They can affect your health, social life, work, school, friends and family.

Drugs affect your central nervous system. As a young person, your brain is still growing and won’t be fully formed until your mid-20s. Taking drugs affects your developing brain by:

• damaging connections within the brain
• reducing your ability to experience pleasure or reward
• causing memory and learning problems
• making it hard to control impulses

Sometimes intoxicated people may find themselves in dangerous situations. Being intoxicated increases the risk of being a victim or a perpetrator of sexual harassment, assault or rape and violence. Sexual assault can happen anywhere, for example, parties or celebrations for events where there are lots of people, people you don’t know or people you have just met. 

• Forcing someone to engage in sexual activity is a crime.
• When someone is intoxicated they do not have the capacity to give consent and cannot legally consent to sexual activity.
• You can withdraw consent at any time during sexual activity, even after prolonged periods.
• The age of consent is 16 years.
• If a person has diminished capacity (e.g. learning disability) they are not able to give consent.
• Date rape is a crime.
• Both males and females can be victims and/or perpetrators of sexual assault.
• Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim.
• Drink spiking is a crime. Drink spiking may be done as a ‘joke’ or with the purpose of sexual assault. The drug most often used to spike a drink is alcohol.

Some things to consider:

• You can have a good time without drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Remember – the safest choice is not to take drugs at all.
• Keep your wits about you, and trust your own judgement or gut instinct. If a situation doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
• Stay close to friends you trust, and remember ‘mates look after mates’, keep an eye out for each other.
• If you are faced with a situation that could possibly get violent, walk away.
• When entering and exiting a venue or event, take note of conditions of entry e.g. lockout times, pass outs and excessive queues, as you may not be able to get back in.
• Remember to stay hydrated by drinking 500-600ml of water over each hour, when you’re active. 
• Take regular breaks from dancing to chill out and cool down.
• The stimulant effects of amphetamines or caffeine (like in energy drinks), can mask the depressant effect of alcohol and can make you feel less drunk than you are and can increase the risk of overdose and you may take more risks.
• To avoid drink spiking, watch your drinks being poured if possible, don’t leave your drink unattended and don’t accept drinks from a stranger. The most common form of drink spiking is alcohol. If a friend appears to have been drink-spiked don’t leave them alone. Assist them to get medical attention.
• Think about what you post on social media… what is safe, legal and not crossing the line. Posting pictures of people who are unconscious or containing nudity without their permission is not ok.
• Seek help immediately if you are worried about yourself or someone else. Remember that every second counts, so react fast and head to first aid for help if at a festival or call an ambulance on triple one 111.
• Never get in a car if the driver has been drinking or taking drugs.
• Accepting a lift from a stranger, including someone you have just met, can be unsafe. If you do plan on getting a lift with someone you have just met, tell a friend and give them the details.
• If you have driven your own car and end up drinking or taking drugs leave your car where it is and find a safe way home with friends, in a taxi, ride share or on public transport.
• If you get stuck, consider calling a sober friend or parent. They may be annoyed, but they will be happier to know you get home safely.
• If your phone is about to run out of battery, let someone know what time to expect you home.