Dangers of mixing drugs
Explains the dangers of mixing drugs, why it is dangerous and how to reduce the risks.
Harmful drug use
Many substances or drugs have intoxicating effects that lead to them being misused and causing harmful effects. Some substances are sold or manufactured illegally while some are produced legally, but used for unintended purposes.
Harmful effects can relate to a single occasion of drug use such as overdose or an injury resulting from intoxication, or from longer term, chronic use associated with dependence such as health problems and a range of social, legal, financial and emotional problems.
The purpose of this section is to:
- provide broad information about specific drug types and their harmful effects, including overdose and dependence
- inform about strategies for harm reduction, such as the Clean Needle Program, and early intervention, such as the Police Drug Diversion Initiative
- outline methods for addressing substance misuse, including the types of services and treatments available
- present relevant information for specific audiences including parents, young people and event and hospitality managers
- assist health practitioners with procedures and tools for working with clients with substance misuse issues.
For people affected by substance misuse
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service
- Illicit drug publications and resources
- Clean Needle Program
- Drug and alcohol emergency information
- Drug and alcohol services
- Other drug and alcohol services and locations
- Supporting someone with an alcohol or other drug problem
- The dangers of mixing drugs
- Treatment options for alcohol or other drug problems.
Service brochures
- Community Treatment Services (PDF 135KB)
- Inpatient Withdrawal Services (PDF 165KB)
- Residential rehabilitation - The Woolshed (PDF 1240KB)
For the community
- Drug use – information for hospitality and event managers
- Drugs – information for parents
- Drug statistics
- Illicit drug laws
- Is your health at risk
- The risks of using drugs
- What to do if you find used syringes
- Young people and drugs
- Illicit drug publications and resources.
For health professionals
- Addiction medicine training
- Alcohol and Drug Information Service
- Assessment and initial intervention for substance dependence
- Drug and alcohol services
- Management of substance withdrawal
- Other drug and alcohol services and locations
- Police Drug Diversion Initiative
- Substance misuse and dependence
- When is it ok to prescribe:
- Illicit drug publications and resources
- Drug and alcohol publications and resources for health professionals
