A drug can be defined as a chemical which causes changes in the way the human body functions either mentally, physically or emotionally.

For the purpose of this policy we areconcerned with drugs which have the power to change a previous mood and the way a person thinks and drugs which the taker may become physically or more often psychologically dependent.

In the North East it is generally accepted that alcohol and tobacco are the most widely abused drugs, however, substances such as Cannabis, Ecstasy, Magic Mushrooms and Solvents are increasingly becoming a problem in our area.