A TYPICAL APPEARANCE OF ADDICT
IDENTlFiOii jiUi^ MARKS - SibLiV oi CHASER n
DESCRIPTION OF BROWN SUGAR AlVl) ms EFFECTS
Hie western world came uader the infhience of psychoactive dn^ after the second world war. With the Hippie' culhre in 1960s the problem became more serious and with each passing di^, the number of drug addicts is on the rise.
Till IS^Os, their use was negligible in India and was mostly restricted to social or religious occassions. According to one estimate before 1982, the number of addicts to drugs other ttianalcoho l was barely 2500 in Bombay. But with the introduction of
Brown sugar in 1982 the number of addicts suddenly rose to about 80,000 in 1987 in the city of Greater Bombay, llitsct ihidia has become a transit point on the route of drug supply to the west, the dnig scene in other cities of India is equally aluminig. Even rural areas particulariy in PiMyab lud also to some extent in R^aathim and Jamiinu-Kashmir. with its loi^ border witft Pakistan, are gradually being swallowed u{> by (he drug habit
Brown sugar and LSD top the list of drugs vMdi produce addiction most
'«Mli)y Moat (kt^ are depressaeta. Hiey reduce the activity of the Central Nervous
Syatem. liowevo* aa^hctmnines, cocaine, caflSne (in tea and coilfee) and nicotine (in tobacco) are atimulauta. The;^ raise the activity of the central nervous syatenL
The present society consisits of many evil men and women who are particulariy on the look &r youngirtera wiko tcuvf be &cii^ an oocaiMiooal uptiet in their emotional li&. Un&rtunately, modem science has given them vi^i^ons to destroy individuals and even the whole oommunities with great ease and at hi^ profit to themselveiL Hieir 18 deadliest weapon today is the dnig popularly known in India as 'Brown Sugar', 'Qard',
'Smack', or 'Horse'.
A aan^le of Brown sugar analysed in 1983 showed the percentage of Heroin to be ISH, whereas san^le analysed in 1985 bad 3-6% heroin only. It is adulterated with almost any substance - chalk powder, rat-poison and so on. The in^nirities of 'Brown
Si^ar' oMy addiliockally ham the user, but the addiction ia caused by its herob content only.
Heroin is &rmed throi^ some chemical reactions fromopiu m Morphine, one of the alkaloids present in Opium was discovered in 1805, is a bitter tasting powder. It is a powerfiU sedative and strong analgetic. Morphine was found to produce addiction.
Hence scientists ^tenq)ted to se]}arate the part of moiphine molecule viiJcb gives relief from pain. Towards the end of 19th century, it was discovered that when moqihine is treated by the chemical • acetic tmfaydride - it is converted into another powenfiil pain killer called Heroin. Unibrtunat(»ly, Heroin was found to be even more dangerous ttkan morphine. It acta more rapidly, its eJ9ects are much stronger and worst of all, it is extremely addictive. Even a couple of doses of heroin could make apetson its slave fbr
Ufe.
Brown-sugar is avuilable in quarters (small glatn bottles) and Fudi. One qpurter consists of 6 Pudis. Brown-si^ir wrapped in tisaie paper is known as PudL As mentioned above Heroin ie derived from 'Ahlphen' or Opium Opium iii the dined extract dtitaxotA by incision of the unripe capsules of die white poppy, Papayer 19
Somnlferum, a piatA which grown in India. This extract or opium has been used for pleasure sod medical use for tttousaodso f years. The practice of using opium for diarrhoea and for making children quiet was wide-8{»vad all over the world till the
1920s.
Papaver Somnlferum arAhlphena is described in Ayurvedic Materia Medica.
Some of ttie medicines containing Opium or Ahlphena, oreAhlphenasava, Akiphen- vati, Ahipkena-guda-varti, Ahipkena-karpumdl oil, Crahanl-Kapat, Dugdha-vati etc.
TSeae roodioines are indicated in various disorders such as Diarrhoea, {Atisaar)
0-uhani, Shotha, Arsha, Body-ai^, Rakta-atisaar, Pakyva-atlsaar etc.
Ahipheoa is rookxha, sookxhma, vjfavayl and vikasi; it is tikta and Vaabaya. in taste, katu in vipaka and is of ushna veerya\ It is also described as Madakar^.
Sook^ma, Vyavayi, Vikasi ondMadakari properties ofAhlphena cause sedadon and evoke a feeling of happiness i.e. ei^ihoria, when taken in small doses. But if Ahlphena is consumed fiarlonge r period,thi»e Vayavee/a sod Tej'as properties cause body and mind to deteriocate.
Prolong iMe of.VtIphena gives rise to Dhatu-Kshaya and Vat-PrakopcP.
From Ahlphena, different alkaloids were derived. Morphine, the active alkaloid of die opium poppy was isolated in the mid-oineteedh century, Heroin
(diacefyl morphine) was derived in 1898. Si&sequently odier similar drugs, syn&etic or semi-synihetic opiates have been produced. All the derivatives obtained from
Papaver Somnlfenwt are poisonous. According to Ayurveda, the prq>ertie» of poisons 20 are opposite ofOJas. Laghu, Uskna, Teekshna, Sookskma, Amta, Vyavayi, Vlkasi,
Rooksha, Vlshad and Sara are tiicte n properties of apoison^ The efiects of Opium poisonii^ can be conveniefldy understood if we comprehend (he meaning of all the propwtiei of Vlsha or Poiitoa Ibere sre ttiree stages of Opium poisoning viz
(1) Excitement (2) Sopor and (3) Narcosis.
1. Stage of Excitement : This st^ may be absent if die dose taken is lai^. In achilta,
a euphoric feeling of well-being and ease comes en early. There may be a certain
pleasurable mental excitement, umally of very small dur^on. Laughter,
hallucin^ons and rapid heart rate occur. Tlie breath may smell of Opium. In
children convulsions are a marked feature of this stage.
Z. Stage of Sopor : The stage ofexcitemeot is soon followed by weariness,
giddiness, a sense of weight in the limbs, diminution of sensibility, aiid a strong
tendency to sleep fromwhic h (he patient can be roused by external stimuli The
pupils are contracted, the &ce and lips cyanosed, and an itching sensation is feh all
over the skin. The pulse and reqjiration are almost nminal.
3. Stage ofNarcosti : The patient passes into deep cmna from which be cannot be
roused. The muscles are relaxed and reflexes are abolished. The pi^ils are
contracted to pin-point and do not react to light Tltey tax^ dilate terminally when
asphyxia ensues but still do not react to ligjbL The conjunctiva ai-e red. The blood
pressure fidls. Tlie pulse is small in volume and weak at first but later becomes
slow and fiill as coma develops. Ilie breatfaiug is slow, the rate beiAg 2 to 4 per 21
minute, sibling and iiregular. 'Rui ia known as Cheyne-Stokea breathing or
Chhinna Shwas. The temperature ia niboormal and sldn cold and bathed in sweal
There ia cyanoaia. Froth eacapea from the mouth. Coma deepena and deadi resulta
from aapfayxia due to re^>iratory paralyaia and nu^ be preceded aometimea in
atfcilta and oflen in children by twitdiing and apasata of nmaclea or convulaive
aeizurei.
Tbt above descri|iliiin of Opium poiaoning. quoted frommode m medical text book is not &und in Ayurvedic text-books. But all these signs and symptoms vMch are produced by Opium can be explained according to the properties of Ahipkena.
Ahiphena is l^sha aodMadakari havii^ramo dosha in excess (as well as raJo dosha), destroys the intelligence and brings about intoxicati Laghu, Jtuksha, Ashu, Vlshada, Vyawayi, Tikshna, VHmshi, Sukshma, and Ushna. Due to Siiksha guna, Vata ia aggravated; due to Ushna, Pitta; due to Sukshma, rakta or blood ia vitiated. Btin^ Ashukari it follows the fi>od juice immediately, due to Vyavayi guna it ^n-eads to the body rapidiy, due to pungentness it kills the marma (vital seats); due to Vlkashl guna it is Prana-hara or life-taking. Being Laghu it ia very di£Bcult to treat and being Vlshada ita progress is unstoppable in the Dos^a. Due to all these gunas the poisons spoil dte Doshas, tfieir places and kill die person^. If heroin or Opium or brown-sugar consumption ia dmiptty atof^d, it prothicea withdrawal symptoms. Due to prolonged, regular consumption of brown-sugar, the body develops tolerance to Brown-sugar. The phenomenon by which ingested 22 iiubstances are digested and asstfflilated eistly is known lis Satmy<^. The concept of Satmya is peculifir to Ayurvedsi A substar«ce (dnig 'vc ditit) which achieves Satmya in die bo(^, needs to be given in greater quantity the next time in order to produce the same desirable effect The concept cXSatmya is thui similar to 'toleraDce' development, where increasii^ doses of drqgs are required to pro When regular practices • consumption of dnigs or diet or habits - wf sbiiipily stopped / d>andoned, the body reacts in an simoraval wsy, producing witiidrawal syn^oms. The diagnostic criteria for Opiod wididrawal / grades of Opiate withdrawal for different drugs and diagnostic criteria for opiod intoxication according to Che Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, third edition (i.e. DSM -DI-R) are given in tabular form : 23 TABLE 1 ; DSM -HI-R DIaimofttc Criteria for OntoJ WMidriiwal A. Cesaation of prolonged moderate or heavy uae of an opiod, or reduction in (he amount of opiod used followed by at least 3 of the following : 1. Craving for an opiod 2. Nausea or vomitiqg 3. Muade acfaea 4. r ACT iiMlion or rfainofrfaoea 5 Pupillary dilatation, piloerection or sweatiAg 6 I>iflrTbi>»ii 7 YaMviffi 8. Fever 9. Inaomnia B. Not due to any pliyaical or other mental diaorder. 2A. TABLE 2 : Gmdcs of QHJU wWawlrayal for dWcrciH diKitt Grsde SyiqHoms and Si^is Hours afierlast (lose M TABLZ 3 : PSM-ffl-R : Dfauwiitlc crltcriiifrmteihitoxkidfw A Recent use of an opiod B Maladaptive b^ncvioml dsaQgea (e.g. initial ev|3borim followed by apathy, dyairfraria, psydi(Miiotor retardation, impaired jad^pwat, impaired social or occupational finctionii^). Pupillary conRtriction (dilatHtdon cm occur in case of anoxia fitnn severe overdosage) and at least one of tbe following: (1) Drowsiness (2) Slurred speech (3) hnpaimmit in attnitira or memoiy C. Not doe to any physical or mental disorder. 26 A TABLE OF HYPOTHETICAL SfflPMENT OF BROWN-SUGAR which it tdf-cxpLuuUtfy. FARMERS rCnltivUe the poppy plMt tnd harvut ix. (oMuUy in the poppy fieidi of the North-we«t Prootier Plxnr- iitce, and alio from the Golden Trimble. GUIDES : He ofUn t*caiu the buys to LEVELI ud from the (rowing arc*. BUYERS : Boy the poppy CMftahe* from (heii (tude«, extract the opinm and tnniport it to their ba«eUb. LABS : TbcM Utx fint coovett the opiom to mMptuoe tod then by acetyladon to di-acccyl LEVELn taoipbine (Hooin) SMUG(EJBRS : Amngof for tti transpoitrntion into India, oontactini at few people u poanble. LEVELm Hc'U be in a good liaiioa with the major wholeaakn in the country. WHOLESALERS : Boy SO kilof and above and KII in linfle kilo. Prom this (ta|« oj- ually hiffa quanlitief of adoitranU are added which letaitt in a decreaae in % purity of Heroin MAJOR DBALERS : Buy in nnfle Idiot and icU* in Bsall qtiantitiea. The teilinf atnooot LEVEL rv varying from 0.5^4 to S (rami. ^/it^^/tt tttt DEALBRAJSER : Sdli pocaibly to 10 to ~^^^;:~^'i:'¥fi_ 100 cooMimen either 3 gm padu or in pUsdc bottUe«(200Da|) or in wax p«pcr£vca be funher ^•JYUltttft•^VA! n tftff adultoralc* the drug and increaaea ilj teliing price to pay coat for bit drug habiti. IJbVELV rtti-'i^rh-r^m^mmmmvnntmA \ V I 'i I ^Ti Willi I I I A All withbe^ootmcrethamo*/n*erfbrhijp«»onaJu*e.Itreacht4bui. i 3:Ktt.-^ Ill 27 Like Opium or Browci-m^^nr there are otfusr dru;^ which ive rommoDly abused in India. Their brief descriptioD ii given below. OTHER NAMES Splash, bumble bees, Nugtteta, Dynamites, Cbioken Powder, Likening, Jv^, B-Bomb, T^n aboiM, Blactdbird, Black Besudet, White crosses, Oreenies, SPEED PEXIES. UPPERS. Peaches yellow, bunnies. Bottle pep pills, peppers, Bombedos, Co-pilots, He^>ers, Amped foott-balls. Crystal, Crsnk, cross roads, Hsfts, Criiiks, Drivers, whites, wskemps, Besns, Roses and oraqges. WHAT ARE THEY : Tliese dr^gs sre stimulants. Usually stiKfeots use it to crsm ikxiagmf^ of examtoadons. Thick drivers us« ittoke^ awake fiu long ni^ of trudcdrivini^ Rock 'freaks' use it for getting 'speeded up'. Prescribed by Doctors to reduce appetite. ROUTE OFADMINISTTIATION: Most users take it orally in the form of a TABLET (M-acflpsule. Few speed' fredcs, crash the td»let, dissolve it witii eittm* water or alcohol and tt^ect 28 it into their blood stream. EFFECTS Initially itbringi ^out increased alertneai and widirefiilnesfl. Users seem to be ^apttdtd up\ All activities are increased. High doses cause the user to THp\ He feels confident. Patients have reported an iflookediflte rudi of pleasure. At times, used as an aphrodisiac too. HOWTOTOENTDFY The user may seem to be ovoraotive and abnormally cfaeerfiil. Heavy users esdiibit nervousness and are very 'juo^ \ Proltmged use m^ lead to hallucin^ons aod dehisions closely resembling those of a Paranoid Schizophrenic. Other physical maiu&atatioiis of prolonged use are hren^liqg hands, dry mouth, increased penq>iniioo and dilated pi^ils. CONSEQUENCES : Pivlonged use nuQ'develop 1. Suicidal tendencies. 2. High blood pressure (Hypertension). .1. Heart Attacks. 4. Brain damage. 5. Arri^dimias (abnormal hrart rbythma). 6. Anorexia. 29 7. Oeneralized ts^ainnent of phyaiciil and mental condttioo. 8. Increased nuceptibiUly to mainutritioa aoA pDeumooia. 9. Paranoia 30 hJSJ), OniER NAMES Lysergic Acid Diettiylamide, Chocolste cfaipa, California, woshine, mellowyellow. Purple haze ,orange murfroomfl. Black widow, cubes, coffee, Bhie Heavefi, Blotten, tripping cryttdtfieaat, Hawk-2!l, n^gar. Big D, C^flt, window panei, paper acid, THpa. WHATisrr? : Ita the ttnet naoie of a aeoai synthetic derivativf of ergot &Qgus rye, a lubstance that growa oo grains. Though this substance ii black in colour, acid is colouHeSii. ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION: ORALLY - It is available in the fbnn of amicro dot on bloating paper. Ihe position of the micro dot beiog indicated by a star, bird or an animal. It m^ also be avail^le in the form of a fihnviliicf a is about 1X1 cMitiiiieter or in the fonn of a cryitol. Sahirated sugar cubes, tiy>lets, or capsules or some other forms are also injected. Hie ampoule may t)e INJECTED into the blood stream. mn^i"^ Causes hallucinations, nervous breakdowns, mental disturbances, psychotic manifestations, and suicidal 31 teodlencies. Hie effects of the drug depends upon tbt enviroomenL the users state of mind and other variable &ctor8. There is a general distortion both in space and time. At times, visual distortion is so sharp that aperaoo on nn 'trip' can see tttepore s cm the haods of aperson who may be 30 to 40 feet SMray. Users have reported to 'seeing sound' HOW TO roENTEFY : Users become very emotional, shifting; moods frequently, laugluQg or crying uncontrollably. When he is experiencing the hallucination it is impossible to miss it For e.g. oa an acid trip auser kq)t on pullix)g out an imaginafy thread fromhi s nose ibr more than 45 miiHites. There is no w>^ to communicate wi& him when he is on the trip. Hwre is marked dilation of die pi^il. CONSEQUENCES ProloQged use may result in brain damage. The dnig m^ cause deformity or mental retardation in the user-s afi'-a|)ring. Prolonged use often causes permanent payctiotic behavior or even results in deadt 32 BARBITURATES OTHER NAMES : Downers, green dragons Reds, devils, Nebbies Nimbles Blockbusters, Red birds, Ooof balls. Blues, Bluebirds, Barbs, Blue Heaven, Blue devils. Blue bullets. Yellow Jadcets, Red Devils, Bhie dots. Candies, Soft balls, Cluistmas trees, Mexican reds. WHAT IS rr? : They are tranquilizers which reduce anxiety or ia slightly larger doses they are sedatives to induce sleep. (There are over 1000 different types of Barbihin^s.) ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION: Taken orally as a tablet or a c^>sule, injected also. istTlsCl'S Small doses relax fbe user. Heavy doses liowever cause sioggidtDeifls and depreasioa At times user may go into coma Hie gait is stqggerii^ and speech unclear. Regular users are often gloomy and quarrelsome. HOWTOIDENTmr • VTien a heavy dosage ia swallowed, it is easy to identify the user. He will have the appearance of a drunkard u4tfaout the breath of an alcoholic. His pli^ical coordination is impaired and mental status variable. However those ^msiog smaller amountu are difBcult to 33 identify. CONSEQUENCES : Baibiturates are habit forming drugs (physically addictive). Discontinuation of regular use results in paiofiil witfadnwval symptoms, which can be dangerous at times. Drug automation is common i.e.: the user forgets bow much drug be bafi already taken and be may wakei^) from his sleep again and again repeating doses everytime. Regular uses are more prone to accidents - as the pain perception is dulled. Over do8«ge may lead to nidden l^se ioto sle^. If this is not arrested, death is certaia 34 COCAINE OTHER NAMES : COKE. SNOW. Cecil, coconut. Big C, Palang Todh, Corine, Flake, CRAX. Bernice, Jam, Saifi^ Bernieii, Rock, Lady aoow. While, FHaky powder, Incentive, dream girl, gold duat, atardiu^ Paradiae, curry Nation, Heuven dust. None can(^, Up-town and tooth. WHAT IS IT : tt ia a white, odourleaa, flufi^ powder that locks like ciygtalline anow. It is made jfixMU ifae leaves of the Coca plafoL 'Crax' is fiieebaae d cocaine &at can be smoked in cigarettes. ROUTE OF ADMINKnUAilON: Orally t^en in powder form and kept below the tMigue or taken with betel leaves. Snorting / SnifSng is the coomtonest method It m^ be injected. If mixed with Hei-oin it is called speed ballii^ Crax' can be smoked. Unlike pure cocaine which can only be free based. EFFECTS : An ahnost feeliqg of ei4>horJa or exhilaration and well bcimig. This is aocon^aoied by a remarkable overcoiifidence in ones abilities snd physical sireqgtti. 35 HOW TO IDENTEFY : Th«i Cocaine user may have dilated popila and naiy be diaoriented in time. He will be alert and aeema very perceptive. There m^ be a sli^ increase in body temperature. CONSEQUENCES : I. Uaera damage the nasal aeptum. Cocaine can eat ri^ tfarou^ tlie aeptal membranea, jQrst cauaiog ulcera and then a hole big enoi^ to put a finger dirou^ This can be corrected by aufgeiy. 2 OverdoMe maty tisault from as little as 0.20gms. 3. Hyperatinailation, headadies and nausea are commML 4. Irregular respiratioa 5. At times coke users may ger convulsions. 6. Severe wei^ loss and malnutrition because Cocaine burasupeneiigy ataveiy &at rate. 7. Regular usitra become chronic insomniacs. 8. Paraooid deluaioaa 9. Halhicinatiooa. 10. Anxiety. II. Vitamin A, B2, C and E ,Calcium, Iron, Phosphorous, Iodine, Magaeaium and Zinc. 12. Vertigo. 13. Mental coofiiaiou. 36 14. Death from ovfrdoac (,.Smokers of freebased Cocaine (Crax) are more susceptible to unintftntional overdoses. n MARIJUANA OTHER NAMES: (jA-^JA. MARIJUANA. QRASS. POT. DOPE, hemp, weed, hetb, tea^mary Jane, Apaculpo Gold, Colombian, Panama red. Bush, cage. Dry hlg^ Sweet Lucy, Texas Tes, Kerala O, Qiggle smoke, loco weed, muggles, stidcs, Indian hav.HASH. CHARAS. solea, quarter moon and BOMBAY BLACK. WHAT ARE THEY? : They are mind altering drugs that are found in the flowering tops and leaves of the ladiaa heni^ plant When the leaves and flowers are dried and cru^d, it is refinrred to as Marijuana Hashish or Cbaras is a blackish snuUl ball that is a concentrated ftxtn of Marijuana which contains leaf dust and fmely ground seeds. The plant is. It contains 400 different substances. Active iqgredieiit is 9 THC i.e. 9 Tetral^^ocannabinol. ROUTE OF ADMINISTTLATION: Marijuana is mixed with Tobacco and can be smaked through a cigarette, pipe or cfaeelum. Charas is burned and tbea mixed with tobacco before ligbtiog vp the cigarette or the cheeium. Occasionally it can be e^en as 'hash cakes' or mixed with honey. (Rarely 38 userfl Bfjply with butter ana em it Oenerally it is done in the U.S.) llhyECTS : When smoked, tfaroi^ the lungs they enter the blood stream and act on ttte brain. Shortly after smoldng it, the user feels intoxicated. Memory of recent events get impaired. Unialiy, there is a feeling of great perceptiveness and pleasure. Larger doses produce erratic behaviour.Constaot use derails memory. HOW TO IDENTIFY : Users appear ^assy eyed and generally stare into space. Loud talkiiQg followed by drowsiness is common. Tlie users eyes seem red (At times on the person of the user, eye i\ui retkwtai of the eyes) The users physical co-ordination 'is also affected. :59 References ?rTBT^ •«nTT> ^tJHI^NH TK^ ]T ^T^ f: 2 ^tGf ^JIirlrT trr -^PT iTT^t TTTwr^ T TnfrTfTT^TT^ "^ '^nU "TT; TJ^ji^rPFTf TT ^TTFT^T Tt?rrTT 3 3rr^ •STTcff^TrrTrnr r ^TTcfTT ?ft^ W' TTTf^TTll^-^^f^ T 4 t^WTT:- •mn^'^'^km^ T^TW^ f^ rP%: TT ^:t5T-23/24 ijF?frrf ^ ?rr?^" ^^ TTTjr l^smr T JTF^ Wf^ ^^^T"T 3i>3ft- T^Ppr ?5pT^ T "JT; t^T • 2 4 / 3 1 irfcj TT Mls3i[ci!tuU-n4««^^'^ %^,1crT "^ T 3n?]WTRr cT^?~^ ^^r^TOTnr T^ JT^ r yMJitTi?=i+i^iroiiylm-tTTT}^=iT?rr#r T ^ff T^|T«^^lTc^,rci|^d<4^ld ^FTrr T^ TT ^;^- 2/19-23 6 TTTrCT "^TTIT "fTT MrflIrHH1 M ^oi|.MlH Tq^YrT T ^:f^: 8/118: «|rUHi;| -cTT nYrT T WciqFlf tr :rT?T^TRf: T ^•^- 1/2 0 40 TtnYrT^TT ailT'tlrilld CHl+^kW "cTTSTrT T '^rt^: Th ZSO'S ADDICT SMOKING BROWN^IJGAR (CIGARBITO) M ll XTiTiJC^ wrmNft THE CIGARETIB WITH S^LWK