Discovering a family member or a friend is using drugs can be very difficult for someone, particularly if they have had no experience with drugs previously. Finding cannabis in your son's room, or living with a partner who regularly smokes cannabis and is experiencing problems quitting can cause friction and lead to great distress.

Cannabis continues to be the drug that telephone helplines receive the most calls about. In 2007, almost a quarter (23%) of all calls received by the Family Drug Support (FDS) Telephone Helpline were to do with cannabis. If you have a family member or a friend who you are concerned about in regards to cannabis, you are not alone.

It is extremely important that you have the best information available and that you are supported during this difficult time.

This section of the website aims to provide family members and friends of cannabis users with information about the drug, how to talk to a user about the drug and your concerns, as well as treatment options and how to access assistance for cannabis-related problems.

If you need to speak to someone about a cannabis-related issue you can call the Cannabis Information and Helpline on 1800 30 40 50. The Helpline will operate 2-11pm Sunday to Friday (including public holidays). After hours all calls will be directed to a message service as well as to Lifeline 13 11 14 as an alternative contact.

You can also call the Family Drug Support (FDS) Helpline on 1300 368 186.

If you are in need of information and/or resources to do with other drugs you will need to contact the alcohol and drug information service in your state and territory. These are staffed by trained counsellors who can assist you with information, appropriate treatment and counselling. The majority of these services run 24 hours a day.