don't panic

1. If you think you've overdosed, or someone else has, you should call an ambulance right away. If a friend has overdosed and you know what sort of drugs they've taken, tell the ambulance crew. You won't get into trouble for doing this, and it could save their life.

2. If someone is overheating and becoming dehydrated after taking drugs and dancing a lot (symptoms may include fainting, feeling sick, headache, sudden tiredness, cramps and stopping sweating), they should immediately take a rest and slowly sip about a pint of water. Splashing cool water on the face and neck can help lower the body temperature. If you take drugs such as ecstasy or amphetamines and go dancing, you should take regular breaks and sip water throughout the evening – about a pint an hour.

3. If you feel as if you're about to pass out, tell someone. Don't just curl up on your own and let it happen. If you've overdosed you could die without help. And there's a danger that you'll throw up and choke. This applies to alcohol just as much as to other drugs.

4. If someone looks as if they're about to pass out, don't leave them alone – again, if they've overdosed they could die, or they may throw up and choke. Put them in the recovery position (see illustration), loosen any tight clothing that might restrict the breathing, and talk to them to try to keep them awake. Never give someone black coffee to wake them up – it may have the opposite effect, speeding up the absorption of the drugs they've taken. If someone shows no signs of revival, call an ambulance.

5. If someone actually passes out, put them in the recovery position, loosen any clothing that might restrict the breathing and call an ambulance. If you know what sort of drugs they've been taking, tell the ambulance crew.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation can save someone's life if they've stopped breathing. First-aid courses teaching this and other techniques are available from 'St John's' Ambulance or the Red Cross (look in the Phone Book for local contact details).

6. If someone who has taken drugs panics or gets very anxious, take them somewhere quiet and warm and reassure them that they will gradually feel better. Don't leave them alone.

7. If it's you that's panicking, talk to a friend if you can and try to get yourself – and a friend – somewhere you feel safe. Remember that the drugs you've taken have probably got a lot to do with the way you're feeling, and that you will gradually feel better, so try to relax and ride with it.

8. If you're caught with drugs by the police, don't discuss it with them until you've talked privately with a solicitor. If you've been arrested and you don't know a solicitor, you can ask to see the duty solicitor. This is your right. Release (020 7729 9904) or Talk to Frank (0800 776 600) can give advice about the law over the phone.

9. If your child, another family member or a friend is taking drugs, or you think they're drinking too much, try talking to them about it. The chances are that it isn't serious. And don't despair if there really seems to be a problem: help is available. See our features on 'family and friends' and 'problems and services' for more information.

10. If you're on your own and there's no one you can talk to, you could ring the national drugs helpline Talk to Frank on 0800 776 600. Talk to Frank is available 24 hours a day on 0800 776 600 (textphone: 0800 917 8765).