Facts
Buprenorphine
Also known as: Subutex / tec / su su
What's This?
Subutex comes in 2mg and 8mg pills. Its active ingredient is Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, which is a semi-synthetic opioid derivative closely related to morphine. Subutex is taken sublingually i.e. to place it under the tongue until it dissolves. However, abusers mixed it with other prescription drugs and it is injected for a greater 'high'.
Effects & Dangers
- Sedation
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Delirium tremens, clouding of consciousness and severe tremours or seizures
- Anxiety, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Abdominal cramps, muscle and joint pains
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
Medical Complications
Medical complications arising from intravenous abuse of Subutex especially when mixed with other prescription drugs:
- Clogging of veins leading to gangrene
- Breathing problems (respiratory depression) which can lead to death
The sharing of needles can also cause the spread of Hepatitis B and C and the HIV virus if the needles are contaminated.
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Cannabis
Also known as: Marijuana / Pot / Grass / Joints / Ganja
What's This?
Cannabis comes from the hemp plant. The whole plant is dried and compressed into blocks until it looks like dried herbs or tea.
Cannabis causes a person's mind to become addicted.
It contains a chemical that affects one's mood and the way one sees and hears things. Cannabis affects one's concentration and memory, hence it weakens the abuser's ability to learn. Cannabis abusers are likely to move on to stronger and deadlier drugs.
Effects & Dangers
- Inability to concentrate
- Slow reaction
- Distorted thinking and perception
- Poor balance and co-ordination
- Extreme anxiety, depression, confusion and paranoia (irrational fear or suspicion)
- Decline in motivation and the drive in long-term users
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Moodiness, irritability, anxiety and tension
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Cocaine
Also known as: Crack / Coke / Snow
What's This?
Cocaine is derived from the leaves of the Erthroxylum Coca plant. In its pure form, Cocaine is a white crystalline powder and it is either sniffed in powder form or injected into the body in liquid form.
Cocaine is both a central nervous system stimulant and an anesthetic. The chronic Cocaine abuser is socially dangerous because of the mental abnormalities caused by the drug.
Effects & Dangers
- Increased heart rate
- Aggressive behaviour
- Irritability
- Nausea, shaking, blurring vision and hallucination
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Anxiety, depression, anger and jittery feelings
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of desire to do things
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Ecstasy
Chemical term:
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
- Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA)
- Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)
What's This?
'Ecstasy' refers to tablets containing MDMA, MDEA and MDA. These tablets come in different colours with different logos stamped in them. They are often sold in discos as well as night joints. People take them to enable them to dance all night and sometimes they die from exhaustion and dehydration.
Other controlled drugs such as Ketamine and Methamphetamine, and chemicals such as paracetamol and calcium carbonate are often mixed with 'Ecstasy'. This may cause bad reactions to the body.
Effects & Dangers
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Jaw clenching, teeth grinding and uncontrollable shaking
- Kidney, liver and brain damage
- Long term memory loss
- Chills, sweating and vomiting
- Inability to think, see and co-ordinate properly
- Hallucination
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Anxiety, depression and uncontrollable fear
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Loss if control if senses and reality
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Heroin
Also known as: White / Smack / Junk / Powder / Putin / Medicine / Ubat
What's This?
Heroin is a powerful and very addictive drug that comes in granular, powder or solution form. Heroin No. 4 is white in colour while Heroin No. 3 is more yellowish.
Heroin abusers feel dull and tired very easily. They cannot work properly as they are not able to concentrate.
"Chasing the Dragon", a common method if abuse used by heroin abusers here, involves heating the heroin powder and sniffing the fumes through a rolled note.
Effects & Dangers
- Lowered heart rate and respiration
- Damage to lungs, kidneys and liver
- Dull feeling and tiredness
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Constipation
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Watery eyes and runny nose
- Irritable and jittery feelings
- Tremours and bodily cramps
- Chills and sweating
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
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Ketamine
Also known as: K / Special K / Vitamin K / Kit Kat
What's This?
Ketamine is an anaesthetic for veterinary as well as human use. The drug takes the form of white crystalline powder, liquid or a tablet. As a drug of abuse in Hong Kong, the United States and Australia, Ketamine has become common at dance parties or 'raves'.
Ketamine produces a progression of effects on the abuser, from a state of dreamy intoxication to delirium accompanied by the inability to move, feel pain or remember what has occurred under the drug's influence. The effects of Ketamine last an hour or less but the drug can affect the senses, judgment and co-ordination for 18 to 24 hours.
Effects & Dangers
- Inability to move
- Distorted judgment, perception and sense
- Confusion and hallucination
- Bleeding nose, cannot smell properly
- Gastric pain
- Difficulty in urinating, urinary tract infection
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Depression, anger and irritability
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
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Lysergide (LSD)
Also known as Acid, Trips, Blotters, Tabs, Micro Dot, Black Sesame, Seed, Micro, Stamp
What's This?
Lysergide (LSD) is a hallucinogen. It is often sold on blotting paper, which is usually imprinted with a colourful cartoon or design. Although abusers generally take it orally, the tabs of blotting paper are also placed on skin areas that readily absorb the drug into the bloodstream, for example, under the eyelid.
When ingested, LSD takes effect within 30 minutes
Its effects are strongest after 3 to 5 hours and can last up to 12 hours. Bad 'trips' can trigger severe panics, paranoia and confusion. After a 'trip', the abuser may feel depressed.
Effects & Dangers
- Increased heart rate, breathing and body temperature
- Numbness
- Distorted senses
- Loss of control of thoughts
- Severe panic, paranoia, confusion and hallucination
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Methamphetamine
Also known as 'Ice', Glass, Crystal, Speed, 'Ya Ba'
What's This?
Methamphetamine usually comes in crystallised form known as Methamphetamine Hydrochloride. It is more commonly known as 'Ice' in Singapore. It is a strong stimulant, which is odourless and colourless,
Methamphetamine also comes in tablet form known as 'Ya Ba'. The stimulant powder in 'Ya Ba' is produced from the ephedrine plant. Most of the 'Ya Ba' tablets found are embossed with the 'WY' logo and are green or orange in colour.
Methamphetamine has a very strong effect on the central nervous system and is highly addictive. The abuser feels anxious and restless which can lead to violent behaviour.
Effects & Dangers
- Increased heart rate and body temperature
- Fits, stroke and death
- Damage to heart and nerves
- Liver and kidney diseases
- Abnormal behaviour with mood swings, confusion, delusion and hallucination
- Anxiety and irritability
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Extreme tiredness and hunger
- Anxiety, depression and irritability
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
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Nimetazepam
Also known as 'Erimin-5'
What's This?
'Erimin-5' is a type of depressant taken orally by the user in tablet form. Depressant are drugs which help a person to calm down and sleep. However, excessive use will lead to harmful effects.
Effects & Dangers
- Loss of consciousness
- Distorted judgment, sight and thinking
- Difficulty in speaking, moving and co-ordinating bodily functions
- Poor memory and concentration
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Anxiety and jittery feelings
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Nausea, vomiting, quickened heart beat, excessive sweating, violent shaking and stomach cramps
- Mental confusion
- Fits
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Inhalants
Also known as Glue-Sniffing, Solvent Abuse, Solvent Inhalation, Solvent Sniffing
What's This?
Some substances, such as glue and paint thinner, give off vapours and fumes. The sniffing of vapours or fumes is known as inhalant abuse.
Inhalant abuse affects the growth and development of muscles, nerves and organs.
If you are an inhalant abuser, normal activities like running and shouting can cause death by heart failure. An inhalant abuser may die from suffocation anytime. This is known as Sudden Sniffing Death. It can happen on the very first time or any other time the abuser sniffs glue.
Effects & Dangers
- Permanent damage to brain, liver and kidneys
- Prone to bleeding and bruises
- Memory loss
- Difficulty in learning and seeing things clearly
- Loss of control of body
- Cramps, pains and bad cough
Withdrawal Symptoms
- Anxiety, depression and irritability
- Aggressive behaviour
- Dizziness, shaking and nausea
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
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