Although all drugs have an impact on the individuals who take them, each drug’s effect is different and can have varying effects on different individuals.
According to the Edenvale SAPS, a drug user can experience a pleasant response to one drug, yet another drug could result in a frightening response. It could even kill you.
There are two main types of drugs, ones derived from plants, such as dagga and heroin, and man-made drugs which include ecstasy and mandrax.
Drugs are often classified as being pure, which means they have not been mixed or cut with less expensive substances.
“As the illicit drug industry is profit-driven, making a profit is a top priority, not your health and safety. Some of the substances mixed with drugs can be more harmful than the dug itself,” said the Edenvale SAPS acting communications officer, Warrant Officer Jean Olckers.
“You can never be sure what is in a drug. The only way to be sure that you don’t ingest it is to avoid taking it.”
Drugs fall into categories based on how they affect you. These categories include uppers, downers and hallucinogens.
Uppers include cocaine, ecstasy, speed, crack-cocaine and tik.
Uppers are designed to make you feel great. They make you feel alive and energised . However, experiences can vary and users can experience anxiety and paranoia. Long term use of uppers destroys nerves, depletes appetite and increases sleeplessness. When coming down from the high, or when users suffer withdrawal, they will experience depression and sometimes be suicidal.
Downers include alcohol, dagga, heroin and mandrax. These drugs make you feel relaxed or laid back.
Unfortunately you cannot control just how relaxed you will be.
“The long term use of downers leads to users being lethargic and makes everyday tasks more difficult to complete.”
According to W/O Olckers, school children and students who use downers often find it harder to study or complete assignments. Using too much of a powerful downer like heroin causes the body to shut down, eventually leading to death.
Hallucinogens such as LSD or mescaline cause powerful hallucinations or dreams in which your reality is changed.
These hallucinations can be unpredictable and can either be enjoyable or be a hideous nightmare.
A bad trip can haunt you for the rest of your life; flashbacks can occur at anytime.
Different drugs are used in different manners, some drugs are smoked, others swallowed and some injected.
“Drug addiction seduces you into wanting more and different and stronger drugs, against your will and the natural tolerance of your body. It is dangerous to think that experiencing drugs increases your tolerance level, by thinking like this individuals are more likely to suffer an overdose.
“No matter how good you may feel when using drugs, your body suffers.”
Experiences are often unpredictable and your experience may not be the same as that of a friend, it may be the same or it could be worse.
Once a drug is taken, an exhilarating high is felt, however over continued use, the high becomes less exhilarating and your body gets used to the drug.
This increased tolerance is in actual fact the start of a growing addiction.
“Addiction comes with a big price tag. The more drugs you want the more money you need to feed the habit. Drugs are expensive and individuals often don’t have enough money to support their addictions. Users often turn to crime or high risk behaviours,” W/O Olckers.
Some drug users have managed to stop being drug users and addicts.
Do not rely on thinking that you are one of these people.
“Being strong is not enough to withstand the horrors of drug addiction. It’s not weak people who become addicts, but addicts who become weak people.”
Individuals seeking help and assistance with drug issues can contact the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence SANCA on the 24-hour helpline number 011 892-0875 or 011 917-5015.
