 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.
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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Crack Cocaine
Cocaine hydrochloride powder |
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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.
Effects :
Abusers may suffer from delirium, impaired memory, impaired motor function, respiratory / heart problems / dependence after long-term consumption.
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Paper wrap-typical packaging for Ketamine
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Methamphetamine
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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 :
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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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.
Herbal Cannabis
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Cannabis Resin
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Cannabis Oil
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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.
Cannabis Buds
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Cannabis wrapped in plastic cling film
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Cannabis placed in hand-rolled cigarette papers
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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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Heroin
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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. Heroin acts fast via either of these methods, taking 7 seconds to reach the brain after smoking or 15-30 seconds if injected.
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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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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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Ecstasy/MDMA
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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.
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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
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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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GHB
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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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GHB
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Medicinal Tablets
Some medicinal tablets that are only available with a doctor's prescription are misused or obtained illegally. Often it is tablets used to treat anxiety and induce sleep and those for treating sexual dysfunction.
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