POPPERS
AKA: Amyl nitrate, butyl nitrite, ram, thrust, liquid
gold.
- Poppers are small bottles filled with liquid
chemicals that dilate the blood vessels. and allow
more blood to get to the heart
- Usually people sniff them from the bottle and experience a
short high.
Why do people take
it?
What class is it?
How does it affect
the heart?
What are the
other effects on the body?
What are illegal drugs?
Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important
organs. Different drugs affect you in different ways and include
different risks. Here you can find out more about them.
Class A, B or
C?
The British government separate the different kinds of illegal
drugs into three different categories. These classes (A, B and C)
carry different levels of penalty for possession and dealing. Drugs
classified ‘A’ have the strongest penalties, drugs classified ‘C’
have the lowest.
(These classes have nothing to do with how strong or dangerous a
drug is – some class ‘C’ drugs can kill you.)
To find out more about the fines and prison sentences you can
get for carrying drugs, go to talktofrank
POPPERS
Why do people take it?
Some people like the head rush that you get from them. They are
also used by clubbers, especially on the gay scene. Some people say
it improves sex.
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top
What class is it?
Poppers are not an illegal drug, but it is an offence to supply
them.
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top
How does it affect the heart?
- Poppers cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure.
- They can be very dangerous for people who have heart problems,
have high blood pressure, or are taking medicines for the heart
called nitrates.
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top
What are the other effects on the body?
- Poppers are poisonous and can kill you if you swallow
them.
- Often people fall down or have accidents from the head rush
that you get from them.
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top
Useful links
Talk to Frank:
www.talktofrank.com
0800 776600
24 hours a day, every day.
Textphone for people with hearing
difficulties
0800 9178765
Release:
www.release.org.uk
0845 4500 215
help and legal advice line
(open 11am-1pm for drug or legal advice. 2-4pm drugs advice
only)
References
Talk to Frank
(drugs information service)
www.talktofrank.com
0800 776600
Release
(drugs information service)
www.release.org.uk
0845 4500 215
'Cocaine and the Heart'
New England Journal of Medicine 2003
Vol 348:487-488
Kloner.R, Rezkalla.S
Cocaine Abuse: Repolarisation Abnormalities
and Ventricular Arrhythmias. The American Journal of Medical
Science 2000
Vol 320 (1)
Gamouras.G et al