Off-white powder, capsules and tablets in varying sizes and colours.

Desired Effects:

Hallucinations, distortion and enhancement of sound and vision, altered state of consciousness, mild euphoria, distortions in the perception of time.

Side Effects:

Feelings of general discomfort, nausea, vomiting, itching, prolonged tensing of muscles and shuddering, headaches, irritability and diarrhoea.

Long term risks:

There have been a number hospitalisations and one death linked to the drugs 2CI and /or 2CE. The long-term effects of use are currently not known as there is little or no research. 2Cs and uncommon substances with a very short history of human use, and it is possible that lasting negative effects could be produced even in small doses.

Short term risks:

Visual disturbances, confusion and panic attacks, high blood pressure, hyperthermia, palpitations and anxiety.

2C's are a family of man-made chemicals that are hallucinogenic and stimulant, so have effects similar to ecstasy and LSD; effects can last between 2 to 6 hours but sometimes longer.

2CI, 2CE, 2CB and 2CT7 are Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Tablets and capsules will be swallowed, powder can be snorted.

If the drug is snorted - a razor blade will be used to chop it in to lines on a hard level surface such as a mirror or a sheet of glass or a tile.

None.

2C's are a family of man-made chemicals; 2C is a general name for the family of psychedelic phenethylamines first developed by Alexander Shulgin in the 1970s & 1980s. 2C drugs can be sold as dietary supplements for mood enhancement and also weight loss. Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid of phenethylamine, known for its mind-altering effects similar to those of LSD and psilocybin. Mescaline occurs naturally in the peyote cactus.

Most areas of the UK have 'street agencies' or projects (sometimes called community drug services or community drug teams) which offer a range of services including information and advice, counselling, needle exchanges and sometimes support groups and complementary therapies such as acupuncture. The increase in stimulant use has led to some agencies offering specialist services that offer counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy, acupuncture and other alternative therapies and prescribing of anti-depressants, and also possible referral to residential rehabilitation. Some services have extended working hours and may offer weekend support. GPs and possibly the local hospital A&E department can make referrals to specialist drug services as well as general medical services, information and advice often in partnership with a drug agency or Drug Dependency Unit.

Parents & other relatives

Drug agencies also provide lots of advice and support to parents of people using these drugs. Many street agencies can provide relative support groups or counselling for family members, partners etc.