By Dr Adam R Winstock/ Dr Luke Mitcheson (Global Drug Survey)

The findings from this years Global Drugs Survey suggest almost half of the respondents have friends whose use of drugs and or alcohol worry you and also many of you use some drugs in ways that cause you personal concern.  Those worries might be around what they are like when they are using, the impact upon their relationships with others, their preoccupation with use or the effect on their physical or mental health. Friends are in good position to identify, support and motivate change because mates look out of each other. The next time you are worried about a friend say something, showing you care is always a good thing and friendship provides a safe place for change to begin.

Here are our top 10 tips of how to raise the issue, what to say and when to say it:

• Firstly - Get informed about the drug before you say something

• Before you say anything - remember how you feel about your mates and what they are doing to themselves and others through their use of drugs or alcohol. Being angry, judgmental and derogatory about them is unlikely to help them to listen to you or take your concerns seriously

• When –  Try not to raise your concerns in the middle of session or a night out when one or both of you are intoxicated or about to rack up another line. Try to pick a time when you are both straight, are somewhere without distraction, are in control of your mood and other faculties and have enough time to have a conversation. However, there may be some occasions when you are both communicating more honestly and openly while under the influence. For some people, this could be a better time to have a more honest and heart-felt conversation.

• Why - problems with drugs if they are spotted are early are often easy to address- just by pulling back, slowing down or taking a break. Trying to do things when someone is depressed , ill or dependent on a drug is harder so the earlier you think about change the easier it is.

• Where  – don’t start the conversation in a crowded placed or where you are surrounded by other mates, it’s too easy for deflect the issue on to other or to feel they are picked on. Maybe pick a time and place when you are engaged in another non-drug related activity e.g sport or over lunch.

• How – start by being positive about that person- their qualities, the reason you are mates, your history, how they looked out of you.

• What - express that you are worried but you are not sure if you need to be. Make sure you focus on behaviours or actions, not the person. For example, reflect back to a recent event or series of events that made you worried and ask for their view. Ask them what they think?

• Don’t get into arguments about their drug use, yours, or others - Everyone is different, some people run into problems earlier or more easily than others. The conversation is about your concerns for them. Don’t expect change to occur over night and if they get angry leave it and come back to it another time.

• Lead by example - If you are regular drug using friends you might want to offer to share period of reduced used to support them.

• End your conversation by saying thank you - Tell them that you only mentioned it because you care and that you can imagine not that it might not have been easy to listen to. Say you hope if they ever have worries about you they they would say something. Offer to help and support in any way you can