Familiarise yourself with behavioural changes of drug users

With KZN’s massive music festival ‘Rage’ and matric pens down parties on the horizon, it is time for a crash course for those who don’t know much about party drugs or a refresher for others who are aware of what signs and behaviours to look out for.

Blue Security says the big problem with drugs is that the people who matter, such as mom and dad, don’t know about the problem until it has become noticeable, uncontrollable or even worse, an addiction.

“We all hope that our children don’t venture past drinking alcohol at parties and festivals. Unfortunately, there is no telling exactly what our children are doing while they are at clubs, pubs or music festivals. However, there are signs and behaviours to look out for that are common among many drug users,” said Blue Security community and media liaison officer, Andreas Mathios.

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Four behavioural changes of drug users:

1. Secretive
2. Agitated
3. On edge
4. Lethargic

Signs to look out for if you suspect your child is using drugs:

• Hanging out with a new group of friends that you don’t know.

• Hesitant of bringing new friends to the house or not comfortable with you meeting them.

• Coming home at strange hours of the morning and sleeping all day.

• Avoiding spending time with family.

• Losing interest in hobbies.

• Losing interest in health and fitness.

“As parents, we have all hopefully done our best to warn our children about the dangers of drugs and the effects that addiction can have on one’s life. As much as we want to protect our children, as individuals we make our own choices and one of those is to either say no or yes to illegal substances.

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Most common music festival drug categories:

• Stimulants – Increase alertness, energy and bring a state of euphoria. Uppers are designed to make you feel great. They make you feel alive, dynamic, and energised.

• Psychedelics – Pulls you out of your reality and distorts it. The effects are either positive or negative depending on the users environment and state of mind.

Five main music festival drugs:

* Ecstasy – Pills that can be swallowed or crushed into a powder and snorted to have a shorter, more intense high.

* MDMA – Crystals that can be put into capsules or smoked through a pipe.

* Cocaine – Powder substance that is snorted through a straw or bank note, alternatively added into a cigarette and smoked.

* LSD (acid) – Paper tabs or liquid drops that changes your perception of the world around you. Some effects are distortions of time, depth, space, size and shape.

* Mushrooms – Dizziness, confusion, loss of reality and anxiety (in high doses).