How much do we know about drug abuse?

Types of drugs and their effects – Part one

By: Boniface Mouti

For the next five weeks or so I would like my readers to keep an eye on this column. I shall be discussing on a very sensitive and relevant topic on drugs and our young people. Somebody somewhere said that knowledge is power. With knowledge human beings are able to control and manage the destiny of many happenings in the society. My questions are: how much do we know about drug abuse? How can we control the destiny of our young people who involve themselves with drugs? We shall discuss a number of issues as far as drugs are concerned. For the first two weeks we are going to evaluate the types of drugs commonly used and their effects on the person using them.

Alcohol: This is the most readily available and commonly used drug and is available in liquid form, in most cases packed in bottles or cans. In fact some local brews like "Gongo" and "Mbege" are never packed. Among the effects of alcohol are the depressing of central nervous system, which causes relaxation, decreased alertness and impaired coordination. It reduces inhibition and can alter perceptions and moods and cause unconsciousness. Chronic use results in brain, liver, and stomach damage. Alcoholics lose their appetite because alcohol replaces necessary dietary components. Liver complications are common. The liver cannot metabolize the alcohol and cirrhosis often results which is frequently fatal.

Cannabis: This is another locally- found drug and quite commonly used by young people. It is also known as bhang or marijuana. Among the street or slang names are pot, grass, weed, reefer, dope, Mary Jane, sinsemilla, gold or Thai stick. When dry Marijuana looks like dried parsley mixed with stem and seeds. Another type of cannabis is Tetrahydrocannabinol(THC) which looks like soft gelatin capsules. Some of the effects associated with the use of this drug includes; increase of the heart rate, blood-shot eyes, dry mouth and throat, and increased appetite. It is damaging to the lungs and contains more cancer-causing agents than tobacco. Effects also include impaired or reduced memory and comprehension, and altered sense of time and reduced concentration and coordination. Cannabis can cause paranoia and psychosis. Chronic use of cannabis may lead to psychological dependence, and can affect the reproductive organs and may even be fatal.

Depressants: The depressants include barbiturates, and their street names are downers, barbs, blue devils, jalkers, Nembutal and seconal. They are sold in yellow and blue capsules. Methaquqlone, tranquilizers are also labeled depressants which come in tablet form. Depressants always cause slurred speech, decreased alertness, impaired coordination, staggering and altered perception. Regular use causes mental and physical dependence and results in a tolerance to the drug, leading the user to search for a higher quality of the same. Large doses can cause breathing difficulties, coma and death. Chronic use can lead to confusion and withdrawal and causes brain and liver damage.

Hallucinogens: They include phencyclidine, called PCP, angel dust, lovebear, hog or killer weed. It can be in the form of liquid, capsules, pills, white sparkling powder and sometimes is mixed with marijuana(bhang). Another type of hallucinogen is Lysergic Acid Diethlamide or simply LSD. The slang names for this drug are acid, green dragon, red dragon, blue heaven, sugar cubes and it comes in brightly coloured tablets, thin squares of gelatin or clear liquid.

The effects of hallucinogens include lack of coordination, slurred or incoherent speech, altered time perceptions, and a sense of distance and estrangement. Mood disorders are also common and are expressed in depression, anxiety and violent behavior. Because the drug blocks pain receptors, continuous use may lead one to injure oneself. Too much use may lead to coma, heart and lung failure, or ruptured blood vessels in the brain, and often results in death. These effects mostly apply when phencyclidine is used. The effects of LSD, include dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, loss of appetite, sleeplessness and tremors. Use of the drug also causes illusions and hallucinations. Users often experience panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety and loss of control. Delayed effects or flashbacks can occur even after use has eased.

Kindly keep watch on this column for more types of drugs and their effects next week.

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Last modified: October 16, 2003.
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