Common Drugs in Hong Kong
YOU DON'T NEED DRUGS
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Cocaine
Cocaine is a white powdery drug obtained from the leaves of the
coca bush. It is the most powerful naturally derived stimulant and
has properties similar to amphetamines. Cocaine is distributed in
two main forms; cocaine hydrochloride powder and crack cocaine.
Cocaine hydrochloride powder is relatively expensive and addictive. Crack cocaine gets its name from the cracking noise made as the "rocks" are heated during smoking. It is extremely addictive.
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| Crack Cocaine |
Cocaine hydrochloride powder |
Effects :
Repeated snorting may severely damage mucous membrane
in the nose and users may experience hallucinations,
paranoia, aggressive behaviour,
insomnia, loss of appetite and
depression. Blood pressure increases, heartbeat
rises and pupils dilate; death can result from cardiac arrest or
respiratory failure and seizures.
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Ketamine
Ketamine Hydrochloride is a commercially produced
general anaesthetic used mainly for sedating large animals. It is
produced as an injectable clear colourless liquid which through
evaporation can be converted to a white crystalline powder similar
to cocaine hydrochloride. Abusers may experience an
"out of body" or "near death" feeling.
In Hong Kong, Ketamine mainly appears in powder
form and the most common packaging method is by wrapping in a small
piece of paper or a banknote.
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Paper wrap-typical packaging for Ketamine |
Effects :
Abusers may suffer from delirium, impaired memory,
impaired motor function, respiratory / heart problems / dependence
after long-term consumption.
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Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a synthetic amphetamine or
stimulant, produced in pill, powder, liquid or crystal form. The
crystal form resembles ice, hence the slang name for the drug (ice).
Ice is almost pure and therefore produces an intense sensation for
the user.
Ice is sold in small portions varying from a fraction of a gram
to several grams and is often packaged in small ziplock bags.
Effects of Abuse
After Consumption : Increased breathing rate, heartbeat & body
temperature, impaired speech, dilated pupils, dry itchy skin, loss
of appetite, insomnia, nervousness, false sense of confidence/power.
Violent behaviour, hyperactivity, tremors and paranoia can result
from large doses. Comedown can involve severe depression.
Long term : Addiction. Chronic abuse produces psychosis similar
to schizophrenia, causing picking at skin, self absorption, hallucinations
and days or weeks without sleep. Kidney and lung disorders can affect
users.
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Ice |
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Methamphetamine pills |
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Cannabis
Cannabis Sativa plants grow
wild throughout most of the tropical and temperate zones of the
world. The biologically active agent
in the cannabis plant Tetra-hydro-cannibol is highly concentrated
in the flowering tops. Herbal cannabis (below left) is produced
by drying the leaves for several days. Dried cannabis can maintain
its potency for several years. The active ingredient can be concentrated
by extracting a sticky resin from the flowering tops and once dried,
the resin forms into hard black-brown lumps (Below centre). Finally,
the most potent form of cannabis is oil (Below right) which is produced
by further refining cannabis resin.
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Herbal Cannabis |
Cannabis Resin |
Cannabis Oil |
In Hong Kong, herbal cannabis is more commonly
abused than cannabis resin. Cannabis oil is rarely available. Both
herbal and resinous cannabis are usually trafficked in small portions
either contained in small zip lock bags or wrapped in plastic cling
film. The most common means of consuming herbal and resinous cannabis
is to smoke roll-up cigarettes. The cigarettes are made from commercially
available papers and can be rolled either by hand or by means of
a rolling machine. Cannabis produces fairly immediate
intoxication and the effects can last from 1 to 4 hours depending
upon dose and strength.
Effects :
Abusers will experience relaxed state,
dilated pupils, hunger and
more vivid senses of sight, smell,
taste and touch after consumption. Increased
talkativeness, mild hallucinations, clumsy and slow reactions. Long-term
abusers commonly suffer endocrine disorder, conjunctivitis, bronchitis
and smoking-related diseases.
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Cannabis wrapped in plastic cling film |
Cannabis placed in hand-rolled cigarette
papers |
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Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive narcotic drug derived
from morphine which in turn is derived from the latex of the opium
poppy. Heroin consumed by Hong Kong addicts is manufactured from
opium poppies grown in the Golden Triangle and the drug is produced
in a high purity (up to 90%), consumption ready state.
In Hong Kong, heroin is normally consumed
by injection or burning on tinfoil and inhaling the fumes through
a straw or matchbox cover. Heroin acts fast via either of these
methods, taking 7 seconds to reach the brain after smoking or 15-30
seconds if injected.
Effects :
Slowed and slurred speech ,
slow movement, constricted pupils,
droopy eyelids, impaired night vision,
sedation preceding comatose state and
vomiting. Heroin rapidly causes addiction, impairs the
immune system, causes dry, itchy skin, constipation, reduced appetite,
irregular heartbeat and blood pressure, menstrual irregularity and
decreased sex drive. Repeated injection at the same site causes veins
to collapse and septic infection of needle wounds is common. Death
can occur from overdoses and diseases such as AIDS can be acquired
from sharing needles.
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Heroin packed in a small pellet forms
and plastic drinking straw |
Heroin broken up into lumps or powder |
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Esctasy
Ecstasy is a synthetic psychoactive drug, which
possesses stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Widespread illicit
use began overseas in the 1980's as MDMA abuse became associated with all-night
dance parties called Raves. At Rave parties or Dance parties, ecstasy
is taken in tablet or capsule form. Tablets can be any colour and
usually have a design imprinted in the surface.
Due to the close links between ecstasy abuse and
dance music, tablets and capsules are trafficked at entertainment
venues. A Rave party which last many hours can result in ecstasy
users being over-active and thus suffering from extreme dehydration,
heat exhaustion and in some cases heat stroke.
Effects :
Heart rate increases , blood pressure
rises and the user sweats, experiences
chills and may hallucinate. It
is common that users feel great energy and emotion and sensory distortion.
As the user 'comes down' nausea, blurred vision, panic attacks;
depression and paranoid thoughts can take over. In a few documented
cases users have died as a result of dehydration and heat stroke.
Frequent ecstasy use damages the brain and affects
production of Seratonin, an important biochemical which controls
sleep, learning, emotion, sex drive and pain sensitivity. Although
levels in the body drop naturally throughout life, ecstasy use decreases
serotonin levels prematurely and frequent users may suffer long-term
depression, anxiety, memory loss and other neuropsychotic disorders
in later life.
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Cough Medicine
Commercially produced cough medicines contain
varying amounts of the powerful narcotic cough suppressant Codeine.
Small doses of codeine effectively relieve cough symptoms by interfering
with the signals from the brain which trigger reflex coughing. Large
doses produce a euphoric high and youths abuse cough medicine for
this purpose. Abuse of Codeine can lead to addiction.
Such cough medicines are controlled pursuant to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, Cap. 138.
Effects :
Cough Medicine abusers may suffer from
drowsiness , respiratory depression ,
light-headedness , dry mouth ,
difficulty to urinate , constipation
, and loss of appetite . Itchiness of the skin,
nausea, vomiting and confusion are common side effects.
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GAMMA HYDROXYBUTYRIC ACID-- GHB
GHB was classified as a dangerous drug under the
Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134) in October 2001. It is normally
found as a clear and colorless liquid (like water) but sometime
in powder form. It has a slightly salty taste and it is highly soluble.
GHB is a central nervous system suppressant; at
lower doses, GHB can relieve anxiety and produce relaxation, however,
as the dose increases, the sedative effects may result in sleep
and eventual coma or death. There are reports from overseas of GHB
being surreptitiously slipped into drinks to facilitate sexual assaults.
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