Drug and alcohol information for young people
Learn about drug and alcohol issues affecting young people, resources for students, and where to go for help.
Young people and alcohol
Drinking alcohol is riskier for young people than adults because the brain and liver continue to develop through adolescence. Short-term risks of drinking for young people often relate to the impact of alcohol on coordination and reflexes, as well as decision making.
Learn more about alcohol, including information on its effects, alcohol and the law and treatment on Drug Info's About alcohol page.
Useful links
Young people and other drugs
While most young people will not use drugs, some experiment out of curiosity, to have fun, or to fit in with social groups. The reasons young people use drugs might be like the reasons that adults do, such as to relax, or to cope with stress, boredom, sadness or life changes.
Young people may have more difficulty resisting the impulse to experiment with drugs because they may not understand the risks associated. What may seem sensible or rational to an adult might be less obvious to a young person.
Read more
- A To Z of drugs - information about a range of different drugs, including the effects on people who use them, drugs in relation to the law and treatment options.
- What are drugs? - an overview on the types of drugs included in Drug Info and some of the key concepts discussed in alcohol and other drug information.
- Quick guide to drugs and alcohol - a reference book containing information on a range of different legal and illegal drugs. This book can be read online or downloaded as PDF chapters.
Useful links
Drugs and the developing brain
Adolescence and emerging adulthood are periods of significant brain growth and development. Scientists call the adolescent brain highly 'neuroplastic' because it is a time of organising, construction and strengthening of connections in the brain.
The Respect Your Brain animated video series focuses on the impact of five drugs commonly used in Australia and explores the way these drugs affect a young person’s developing brain. The videos explain how different drugs can affect brain development and which areas of the brain are affected.
Drugs and mental health
Alcohol and other drugs affect chemicals in the brain responsible for regulating feelings and social behaviour. Alcohol and other drugs can deplete or change the levels of these chemicals, causing short- and long-term impacts on mental health concerns.
Everyone is different but for most people their first experience of mental health problems will arise early in life. Teens are particularly vulnerable to developing mental health problems, because adolescence is a period where organising, construction and strengthening of connections in the brain is happening.
Read more on Drug Info's Mental health page.
Young people and the law
There are a number of laws in NSW designed to protect young people (under 18s) from being sold alcohol and tobacco and from being given or from consuming alcohol. You can read more on the Alcohol, tobacco and young people page.
In NSW, it is an offence to possess, use, produce or supply a drug which has been declared prohibited. Find out more about drug laws in NSW on the Drugs and the law page.
For students
Drug Info includes a range of useful information for students, including drug and alcohol statistics, a PDHPE research guide and other school resources.
Read more
- Drug and alcohol information for students - information for PDHPE and a range of resources to support students and teachers.
- PDHPE research guide - our research guide takes you to key websites, eresources, books and information about drugs and alcohol for PDHPE students.
- Drug and alcohol statistics - find the latest research and statistics relating to the use of alcohol and other drugs among Australians.
Finding help and support
Find information about support or treatment options for alcohol and other drugs.