recognise it Nawaal Deane Ecstasy: “E”, or the “love drug”, costs between R50 and R80, depending on the dealer. A person on E will display affectionate behaviour, wanting to massage (non-sexually), hug or touch anyone for hours. To spot a person on E, look for someone with dilated pupils and a tense jaw, someone who is sweating, dancing uncontrollably and insisting on sharing anything from water to sweets to love. The labels given to ecstasy tablets change monthly (see right), but generally mean little, since quality can vary between batches. Well-known labels include mitsubishis, custard slices, smurfs, doves, rolls royce and x-men. Ecstasy releases seratonin unnaturally in the brain of a user, triggering euphoria. But what goes up must come down and eventually the seretonin is depleted. The downer may include unsteadiness, nausea and possibly vomiting. Recent research has shown that users are permanently altering their brain chemistry. E is also sold as “liquid E”, which kicks in far more quickly than the tablets but could be mixed with other substances that may prove fatal.
Acid, A or LSD: The “hallucination drug” distorts reality in an unpredictable manner. A trip could involve a range of fantasies, from a user believing he or she is dancing naked with purple dragons, to an image of being stalked as a soldier in the Vietnam War. The trip lasts for hours and flashbacks may occur years after the acid was taken. LSD comes on small pieces of blotter with distinctive, often cartoon-based designs and names like purple ohms, geminis, strawberries, batmans or Bart Simpsons; they are sold for R25 to R40. It also comes in liquid form: liquid A, which is normally a drop of liquid sealed in a straw. Acid apparently affects circulation, with symptoms that include purple-tinged lips, icy, taut skin, dilated pupils and paleness. There is also some evidence that it can cause the early onset of schizophrenia-like disorders. “A” is used with “E” to “candy flip” – acid enhances the effects of ecstasy by extending and enhancing the E trip.
Cocaine: It is also known as coke, nose candy, charlie, snow and shnaaf. This drug is predominantly used by the wealthy, retailing from R250 a gram in powder form. Credit cards and rolled-up bank notes are part of the accessories when snorting coke; it is often “cut” (with the credit card) on toilet seat lids in trendy restaurants and clubs and snorted with the rolled-up note. It is difficult to recognise when a person is on coke but for the faint redness around the nose, dilated pupils and an attitude that screams: “I am beautiful, confident and invincible!” Trips last as long as there is money to spend. Coke comes in various forms including crack, freebase or rocks. Crack/freebase is a purer form of powdered coke and sells for R50 a rock, which is smoked from a pipe. One of the side-effects of crack could be death. Paranoia and aggression occur with heavy use. Cocaine is a highly addictive substance and crack (right) even more so.
Cat: A combination of ecstasy, ephedrine and cocaine that, when snorted, gives a happy, energetic but “wired” feeling. It is one of the more expensive drugs, retailing at R300 a gram but popular because, unlike cocaine, the effects of which wear off in 20 to 40 minutes, cat lasts for up to two hours. Cocaine may make the user feel confident but it also enhances feelings of anxiety, whereas cat is a booster.
Mandrax: Costs R30 for a light- and dark-blue capsule or white, scored tablets. It is sometimes crushed and smoked with dagga in a “white pipe”. It is used to “chill out” and induces a relaxed, sleepy feeling. It is made from barbiturates, or “downers”, which were developed to treat sleeplessness, anxiety, tension and high blood pressure.
Magic mushrooms: This is the “natural hippie” drug, consisting of organic hallucinogens that have been used for thousands of years. “Let’s go pick some mushies, dude,” would indicate that users are purchasing mushrooms for about R20. It resembles grey, small pieces of tree bark that can be chewed or ground into a powder form, the fresher the better. Also known as mushies, sshrooms and Mexican magic mushrooms, there are several species of mushrooms.
The mushrooms have mind-altering chemicals that are similar in structure to serotonin. They make you feel happy, loving and free by distorting reality. They trigger visual distortions – abstract patterns with eyes closed and patterns in the arrangement of objects with eyes open. A regression to a childish or childlike state with a feeling of melting into your surroundings and connecting with the universe is very common. It feels like you are looking at yourself from outside. Side effects include nausea during the early stages and loss of coordination. Some depression and frustration with everyday life may occur in the days following the mushroom trip.
Speed or crystal meth: The “adrenaline drug”, ice, crystal, bennies and uppers. It is sold as crystals, chunks, tablets, capsules or powder for about R200. Speed wakes you up fast and keeps you going. On speed, many people feel very confident and alert and feel that they can dance on and on without resting. This is the high – you feel the “life of the party”. A speed junkie would use speed for recreational purposes to do three aerobics classes after each other. Coming off speed involves total physical and mental exhaustion, including deep depression.
Heroin: The most lethal of all, heroin is normally injected into a vein. It is known as junk, smack, brown, skag, H and gear. It is derived from the opium poppy. The effects kick in before the needle is removed, with a user entering into a dreamlike state in which all pain seems distant. The purity of the heroin dictates the intensity of the trip and is also the main cause of an accidental overdose. The pupils of a user contract – it’s known as being “pinned” – and the eyes roll back. At a lower dosage, if snorted or smoked, the user can talk coherently, but if the dosage is increased the user will lose consciousness. Heroin is sold for R250 a gram and addicts claim that “a heroin addict is always a heroin addict”. This is because a user will suffer hectic withdrawal symptoms. These can last up to a week and include muscle spasms, sweating, nausea and vomiting, physical pain, an inability to concentrate or do anything and extreme feelings of anxiety and insomnia. Some of the information in this article was obtained from Ravesafe: www.pcb.co.za/users/ravesafe
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