Prohibited Drugs
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Eight types of drugMost performance-enhancing drugs banned by the World Anti Doping Agency's 2004 list of banned substances breaks down into eight categories. Click on one to jump to the description or scroll to browse them all. For reference, see also the drug dictionary.
Stimulants | Narcotic analgesics | Cannabinoids | Anabolic agents | Peptide hormones | Beta-2 agonists | Masking agents | Glucocorticosteroids
StimulantsWHAT ARE THEY? Stimulants refer to a group of drugs that boost alertness and physical activity by increasing heart and breathing rates and brain functions. By acting on the central nervous system, stimulants can stimulate the body both mentally and physically.
EXAMPLES adrafinil, cocaine, modafinil, pemoline, selegiline
WHY STIMULANTS ARE BANNED They may artificially stimulate the mind or body, thereby improving an athlete's performance and giving them an unfair advantage.
WHY ATHLETES USE THEM To increase their ability to exercise at an optimal level, combat tiredness, suppress appetite.
TYPE OF PROHIBITION In-competition
EXCEPTIONS Cathine is prohibited only when its concentration in a urine sample is greater than five micrograms per millilitre. Both ephedrine and methylephedrine are prohibited only when their concentration in a urine sample is greater than 10 micrograms per millilitre.
Narcotic analgesicsWHAT ARE THEY? Narcotic analgesics usually take the form of painkillers that act on the brain and spinal cord to treat pain associated with painful stimuli.
EXAMPLES buprenorphine, dextromoramide, heroin, morphine, pethidine
WHY THEY ARE BANNED Narcotic analgesics could be used to reduce or eliminate the pain felt from an injury or illness. They could also be used to help an athlete train harder and for a longer period of time. The danger in this is that the drug could merely be masking the pain. As a result, athletes may have a false sense of security, and by continuing to train and compete, risk further health problems.
WHY ATHLETES USE THEM To help reduce or eliminate the pain from a nagging injury, allowing them to continue in their training. Narcotic analgesics may also reduce anxiety, which may artificially enhance an athlete's performance.
TYPE OF PROHIBITION In-competition
EXCEPTIONS codeine, dextromethorphan, dextropropoxyphene, dihydrocodeine, diphenoxylate, ethylmorphine, pholcodine, propoxyphene, and tramadol
CannabinoidsWHAT ARE THEY? Cannabinoids are psychoactive chemicals derived from the cannabis plant that cause a feeling of relaxation.
EXAMPLES hashish, hashish oil, marijuana
WHY THEY ARE BANNED Marijuana is generally not considered performance enhancing, but is banned because its use is damaging to the image of sport. There are also safety factors involved as the use of marijuana could weaken the athlete's ability to perform, thereby compromising the safety of the athlete and other competitors.
WHY ATHLETES USE THEM To increase their recovery time after exercise, increase their heart rate, reduce their inhibitions.
TYPE OF PROHIBITION In-competition
EXCEPTIONS The WADA code requires each authority that adopts its list of banned substances to determine for themselves whether to ban cannabinoids. Where the rules of the drug testing authority specify, tests for the presence of cannabinoids are conducted.
Anabolic agentsWHAT ARE THEY? Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are synthetic versions of the hormone testosterone. Testosterone is a male sex hormone found in large quantities in most males and in some females. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids fall into one of two categories: 1) exogenous steroids are those substances that are not capable of being produced by the body naturally, and 2) endogenous steroids are those substances that are capable of being produced by the body naturally).
EXAMPLES exogenous steroids (drostanolone, metenolone and oxandrolone), endogenous steroids (androstenediol (andro), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone)
WHY THEY ARE BANNED Anabolic agents are prescribed for medical use only. Use of anabolic agents may enhance an athlete's performance, giving them an unfair advantage. Another possibility is serious medical side effects for the user.
WHY ATHLETES USE THEM To increase muscle size and strength, reduce the amount of time required to recover after exercise, and to train harder and for a longer period of time.
TYPE OF PROHIBITION In- and out-of-competition
EXCEPTIONS When an athlete tests positive for an endogenous substance, his/her sample is ruled to contain a prohibited substance where the concentration of the substance in the sample is greater than the amount normally found in humans. A sample will be ruled to not contain a prohibited substance when the athlete proves with evidence that the excess concentration of the endogenous substance in the sample is attributable to a pathological or physiological condition. Both exogenous and endogenous steroids, as well as their analogues (any substance derived from modifying the chemical structure of another substance while retaining a similar pharmacological effect) are prohibited.
Peptide hormonesWHAT ARE THEY? Peptide hormones are substances that are produced by glands in the body and that, after circulating through, blood can affect other organs and tissues to change bodily functions.
EXAMPLES erythropoietin, human growth hormones, insulin, corticotrophins
WHY THEY ARE BANNED Peptide hormones serve as messengers between different organs that stimulate various bodily functions such as growth, behaviour and sensitivity to pain.
WHY ATHLETES USE THEM To stimulate the production of naturally occurring hormones, increase muscle growth and strength, and increase the production of red blood cells to improve the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
TYPE OF PROHIBITION In- and out-of-competition
EXCEPTIONS Chorionic gonadotrophin, and pituitary and synthetic gonadotrophins are prohibited in males only. Unless an athlete can demonstrate that the excess concentration of the substance was due to a physiological or pathological condition, his or her sample is ruled to contain a peptide hormone where the concentration exceeds the amount normally found in humans.
Beta-2 agonistsWHAT ARE THEY? Beta-2 agonists are drugs commonly used to treat asthma by relaxing the muscles that surround the airway and opening up the air passages.
EXAMPLES bambuterol hydrochloride, reproterol hydrochloride, tulobuterol hydrochloride
WHY THEY ARE BANNED They can provide the same advantages of a stimulant or, if administered into the bloodstream, have anabolic effects.
WHY ATHLETES USE THEM To increase their muscle size and reduce body fat. When taken orally or by injection, Beta-2 can have powerful stimulatory effects.
TYPE OF PROHIBITION In- and out-of-competition
EXCEPTIONS Formoterol, salubutamol, salmeterol and terbutaline are permitted by inhalation only to prevent and/or treat asthma and exercise-related respiratory problems. However, athletes need to provide a medical note in order to attain a therapeutic-use exemption.
Masking agentsWHAT ARE THEY? Masking agents are products that can potentially conceal the presence of a prohibited substance in urine or other samples.
EXAMPLES epitestosterone, dextran, diuretics, probenecid
WHY THEY ARE BANNED Masking agents hide the presence of a banned substance in an athlete's urine or other sample, allowing them to cover up their use and gain an unfair competitive edge.
WHY ATHLETES USE THEM To conceal their use of a prohibited substance in the testing process.
TYPE OF PROHIBITION In- and out-of-competition
EXCEPTIONS Diuretics (such as acetazolamide, mersalyl, and triamterene) are not prohibited, so long as the athlete's urine sample contains amounts that don't approach prohibited levels.
GlucocorticosteroidsWHAT ARE THEY? In conventional medicine, glucocorticosteroids are used mainly as anti-inflammatory drugs and to relieve pain. They are commonly used to treat asthma, hay fever, tissue inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.
EXAMPLES dexamethasone, fluticasone, prednisone, triamcinolone acetonide and rofleponide
WHY THEY ARE BANNED When administered systemically (into the blood) glucocorticosteroids can produce a feeling of euphoria, potentially giving athletes an unfair advantage.
WHY ATHLETES USE THEM To mask pain felt from injury and illness.
TYPE OF PROHIBITION In-competition
EXCEPTIONS Glucocorticosteroids are prohibited when administered orally, rectally, or by intravenous or intramuscular administration. All other administrations require the athlete to provide a medical note in order to attain a therapeutic-use exemption.
Prohibition of drugsThe prohibition of drugs through sumptuary legislation or religious law is a common means of attempting to
prevent drug use.
While most drugs are legal to possess, many governments regulate the manufacture, distribution, marketing,
and sale of some drugs, for instance through a prescription system. Only certain drugs are banned with a
"blanket prohibition" against all use. However, a continuing problem remains in effect, as the prohibited drugs
continue to be available through illegal trade, see illegal drug trade, also known as the Black Market. The most
widely banned substances include psychoactive drugs, although blanket prohibition also extends to
some steroids and other drugs. Many governments do not criminalize the possession of a limited quantity of
certain drugs for personal use, while still prohibiting their sale or manufacture, or possession in large quantities.
Some laws set a specific volume of a particular drug, above which is considered ipso jure to be evidence of
trafficking or sale of the drug.[citation needed] The hypothesis that the prohibition of drugs generates violence is
consistent with research done over long time-series and cross-country facts.[1]
Islamic countries mostly prohibit the use of alcohol[citation needed]. Many non-Islamic governments levy a sin tax on
alcohol and tobacco products, and restrict alcohol and tobacco from sales or gifts to minors. Other common
restrictions include bans on outdoor drinking and indoor smoking. In the early 20th Century, many countries
had alcohol prohibition. These include The United States (1920–1933), Finland (1919–1932), Norway (1916–
1927), Canada (1901–1948), Iceland (1915–1922) and the Russian Empire/USSR (1914–1925).
History
The cultivation, use, and trade of psychoactive and other drugs has occurred since prior to civilization's
existence.[citation needed]Religious governments probably began to criminalize drugs' possession and trade in
the Middle Ages[citation needed], and such legislation has continued until the present day, by both religious and non-
religious governments. In the 20th century, the United States led a major renewed surge in drug prohibition
called the "War on Drugs". Today's War on Drugs bears many similarities to earlier drug laws, particularly in the
motivation to prevent drug use.[vague]
Motivations claimed by supporters of drug prohibition laws across various societies and eras have
included religious observance, allegations of violence by racial minorities,[2] and public health concerns. Those
who are not proponents of anti-drug legislation characterize these motivations as religious intolerance, racism,
and public healthism.
Drug laws (early)
Perhaps the earliest recorded drug law is the prohibition of the use of alcohol under Islamic law (Sharia), which
is usually attributed to passages in the Qur'an dating from the 7th century. Like other Sharia laws, alcohol
prohibition is enforced by Mutaween, known today inSaudi Arabia as the Committee for the Propagation of
Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Some Muslim scholars[who?] assert that this prohibition actually addresses
only the abuse of alcohol, but they do not have sufficient numbers or authority to override the familiar total
prohibition. Although Islamic law is often interpreted as prohibiting all intoxicants (not only alcohol), the ancient
practice of hashish smoking has continued throughout the history of Islam, against varying degrees of
resistance. A major campaign against hashish-eatingSufis was conducted in Egypt in the 11th and 12th
centuries resulting among other things in the burning of fields of cannabis.
Though the prohibition of illegal drugs was established under Islamic law, particularly against the use of
hashish as a recreational drug, classical jurists of medieval Islamic jurisprudence accepted the use of hashish
for medicinal and therapeutic purposes, and agreed that its "medical use, even if it leads to mental
derangement, remains exempt" from punishment. In the 14th century, the Islamic scholar Az-Zarkashi spoke of
"the permissibility of its use for medical purposes if it is established that it is beneficial."[3]
Religious intolerance was a motivation for drug prohibition in Christian Europe. In Meso-America and South
America, peyote ( péyotl ) ,ololiúqui, toloáche, teonanácatl and other sacred plants of the Mexican culture were
prohibited as works of the devil. In Northern Europe, the Protestants were also responsible for passing drug
laws motivated by religious intolerance, according to Stephen Harrod Buhner. Buhner argues that the
1516 Reinheitsgebot, which stipulates that beer may only contain water, barley and hops was a "reflection of
Protestant irritation about 'drugs' and the Catholic Church".[4] Unlike the typical nut blends widely used at the
time (e.g. gruit), hops caused sedation and reduced libido. The exclusive use of hops had been compulsory in
France since 1268.[5]
Coffee almost followed the same fate as cannabis as its use spread from Ethiopia through the Middle East to
Europe. Coffee, regarded as a Muslim drink, was prohibited to Orthodox Christians in its native Ethiopia until as
late as 1889; it is now considered a national drink of Ethiopia for people of all faiths. In the Ottoman
Empire, Murad IV attempted to prohibit coffee drinking to Muslims as haraam, arguing that it was an intoxicant,
but this ruling was overturned soon after his death in 1640.[6] The introduction of coffee in Europe from Muslim
Turkey prompted calls for it to be banned as the devil's work, although Pope Clement VIII sanctioned its use in
1600, declaring that it was "so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it." Its
early association in Europe with rebellious political activities led to its banning in England, among other places.
[7]
In late Qing Imperial China, opium imported by the British East India Company was vastly consumed by all
social classes in Southern China. Between 1821 and 1837, imports of the drug increased fivefold. The Chinese
government attempted to end this trade on public health grounds. The effort was initially successful, with the
destruction of all British opium stock in May 1839. However, to protect this trade, the British declared war on
China (First Opium War). China was defeated and the war ended with the Treaty of Nanking, which protected
foreign opium traders from Chinese law. A related American treaty promised to end the smuggling of opium by
Americans. It took until the next Opium War for the trade to be legalized.
In the northern provinces of Ningxia and Suiyuan in China, Chinese Muslim General Ma Fuxiang both
prohibited and engaged in the opium trade. It was hoped that Ma Fuxiang would have improved the situation,
since Chinese Muslims were well known for opposition to smoking opium.[8] Ma Fuxiang officially prohibited
opium and made it illegal in Ningxia, but the Guominjun reversed his policy, by 1933, people from every level of
society were abusing the drug, Ningxia was left in destitution.[9] In 1923, an officer of the Bank of
China fromBaotou found out that Ma Fuxiang was assisting the drug trade in opium which helped finance his
military expenses. He earned a sum of $2 million from taxing those sales in 1923. General Ma had been using
the Bank, a branch of the Government of China's exchequer, to arrange for silver curreny to be transported to
Baotou to use it to sponsor the trade.[10]
US prohibition of opium
The first law outright prohibiting the use of a specific drug in the United States was a San Francisco ordinance
which banned the smoking of opium in opium dens in 1875. The reason cited was "many women and young
girls, as well as young men of respectable family, were being induced to visit the Chinese opium-smoking dens,
where they were ruined morally and otherwise." This was followed by other laws throughout the country, and
federal laws which barred Chinese people from trafficking in opium. Though the laws affected the use and
distribution of opium by Chinese immigrants, no action was taken against the producers of such products
as laudanum, atincture of opium and alcohol, commonly taken as a panacea by white Americans. The
distinction between its use by white Americans and Chinese immigrants was thus based on the form in which it
was ingested: Chinese immigrants tended to smoke it, while it was often included in various kinds of generally
liquid medicines often (but not exclusively) used by people of European descent. The laws targeted opium
smoking, but not other methods of ingestion.[11] As a result of this discrepancy, some modern commentators
believe that these laws were possibly racist in origin and intent.
The most important reason for the increase in opiate consumption during the 19th century was however the
prescribing and dispensing of legal opiates by physicians and pharmacist to women with "female problems"
(mostly to relieve painful menstruation). Between 150,000 and 200,000 opiate addicts lived in the United States
in the late 19th century and between two-thirds and three-quarters of these addicts were women.[12]
This was followed by the Harrison Act, passed in 1914, which required sellers of opiates and cocaine to get a
license. While originally intended to require paper trails of drug transactions[citation needed] between doctors, drug
stores, and patients, it soon became a prohibitive law. The law's wording was quite vague; it was originally
intended as a revenue tracking mechanism that required prescriptions for opiates. It became legal
precedent that any prescription for a narcotic given by a physician or pharmacist – even in the course of
medical treatment for addiction – constituted conspiracy to violate the Harrison Act. In 1919, the Supreme
Court ruled inDoremus that the Harrison Act was constitutional and in Webb that physicians could not prescribe
narcotics solely for maintenance.[12]In the decision Jin Fuey Moy v. United States, 254 U.S. 189 (1920) the
court upheld that it was a violation of the Harrison Act even if a physician provided prescription of a narcotic for
an addict, and thus subject to criminal prosecution. The initial proponents of the Harrison Act did not support
blanket prohibition of the drugs involved.[13] This is also true of the later Marijuana Tax Act in 1937. Soon,
however, licensing bodies did not issue licenses, effectively banning the drugs.
The American judicial system did not initially accept drug prohibition. Prosecutors argued that possessing drugs
was a tax violation, as no legal licenses to sell drugs were in existence; hence, a person possessing drugs
must have purchased them from an unlicensed source. After some wrangling, this was accepted as federal
jurisdiction under the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Prohibition of alcohol
Main article: Prohibition
The prohibition of alcohol commenced in Finland in 1919 and in the United States in 1920.
Because alcohol was the most popular recreational drug in these countries, reactions to its prohibition were
very different than to the prohibition of other drugs, which were commonly perceived to be associated with
racial and ethnic minorities. Public pressure led to the repeal of alcohol prohibition in Finland in 1932, and in
the United States in 1933. Residents of many provinces of Canada also experienced alcohol prohibition for
similar periods of time in the first half of the 20th century.
In Sweden, a referendum in 1922 decided against an alcohol prohibition law (with 51% of the votes against and
49% for prohibition), but starting in 1914 (nationwide from 1917) and until 1955 Sweden employed an alcohol
rationing system with personal liquor ration books ("motbok").
Marijuana Tax Act
For more details on this topic, see Legal history of cannabis in the United States.
Regulations and restrictions on the sale of Cannabis sativa as a drug began as early as 1860 as a part of
different local poisons laws. In the middle of the 1930s all member states in the United States had some
regulation of cannabis.[14][15] In 1936 the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) noticed an increase of reports of
people smoking marijuana, which further increased in 1937. The Bureau drafted a legislative plan for Congress,
seeking a new law and the head of the FBN, Harry J. Anslinger, ran a smear campaign against marijuana.
[16] During this particular time frame, the media was swarmed with propaganda regarding the effects of
marijuana. Harry J. Anslinger, a dominant leader in the prohibition against drugs, devised advertisements and
commercials to inform the public of the believed side effects of marijuana. Citizens who were high on marijuana
were crazy, insane, suicidal, had murderous intentions, etc. according to the propaganda.[17] Disregarding the
scientific research on the subject and the falsified claims, the Marihuana Tax Actpassed in 1937 quickly and
with little debate and no opposition in Congress. The American Medical Association (AMA) supported a federal
law, but recommended that marijuana to be added to the Harrison Narcotic Act.[18] The restrictions for Cannabis
was part of a broad international trend supported by the president.[19]
Counterculture and the War on Drugs
American drug law enforcement agents detain a man in 2005.
In response to rising drug use among young people and the counterculture movement, government efforts to
enforce prohibition were strengthened in many countries from the 1960s onward. Support at an international
level for the prohibition of psychoactive drug use has been a consistent feature of United States policy during
both Republican and Democratic administrations, to such an extent that US support for foreign governments
has often been contingent on their adherence to US drug policy.[citation needed] Major milestones in this campaign
include the introduction of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic
Substances in 1971 and the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances in 1988. A few developing countries where consumption of the prohibited substances
has enjoyed longstanding cultural support, long resisted such outside pressure to pass legislation adhering to
these conventions — such as Nepal, which did not do so until 1976.[20][21]
In 1972, United States President Richard Nixon announced the commencement of the so-called "War on
Drugs." Later, President Reagan added the position of drug czar to the President's Executive Office.
In 1973, New York State introduced mandatory minimum sentences of 15 years to life imprisonment for
possession of more than four ounces (113g) of a so-called hard drug, called the Rockefeller drug laws after
New York Governor and later Vice President Nelson Rockefeller. Similar laws were introduced across the
United States.
California's broader 'three strikes and you're out' policy adopted in 1994 was the first mandatory
sentencing policy to gain widespread publicity and was subsequently adopted in most United States
jurisdictions. This policy mandates life imprisonment for a third criminal conviction of any felony offense.
A similar 'three strikes' policy was introduced to the United Kingdom by the Conservative government in 1997.
This legislation enacted a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years for those convicted for a third time of a
drug trafficking offense involving a class A drug.
Large movements[quantify] have grown in numerous[quantify] countries proposing various policy changes such
as drug relegalization anddrug decriminalization. For instance, there is a movement for cannabis legalization in
Canada, as well as the Marijuana Party of Canada.
Various drug liberalization policies are often supported by proponents of liberalism and libertarianism.
Continued drug criminalization is more typically supported by proponents of conservatism. The latter may often
promote the more general notion of individualism, butsocial conservatives in particular continue to support drug
prohibition.
The former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Drug Czar, John P. Walters has described
the drug problem in the United States as a "public health challenge", and he has publicly eschewed the notion
of a "war on drugs." He has supported additional resources for substance abuse treatment and has touted
random student drug testing as an effective prevention strategy. However, the actions of the Office of National
Drug Control Policy continue to belie the rhetoric of a shift away from primarily enforcement-based responses
to illegal drug use.[22]
[edit]Opium cultivation in Afghanistan
Main article: Opium production in Afghanistan
A field of opium poppies growing inAfghanistan.
In July 2000, the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan banned opium as "against Islam." After the Taliban was ousted,
opium cultivation resumed in more widespread areas and in greater yield. In April 2004,
Afghan interim president Hamid Karzai declared a jihad on drugs (after opium output reached a near-record
3,600 tonnes in 2003 — equivalent to three-quarters of world supply). Over the next two years, despite the
assistance of several hundreds of millions of dollars of foreign anti-drug support, Afghanistan raised opium
production to 6,100tonnes in 2006, produced on 407,000 acres (1,650 km2) of land, including nearly 30,000
acres (120 km2) of government land – a production estimated to exceed the global demand for opium by thirty
percent.[23]
]Honduras President calls for legalization
On February 22, 2008 Honduras President Manuel Zelaya called on the United States to legalize drugs, in
order, he said, to prevent the majority of violent murders occurring in Honduras. Honduras is used
by cocainesmugglers as a transiting point between Colombia and the US. Honduras, with a population of 7
million suffers an average of 8–10 murders a day, with an estimated 70% being as a result of this international
drug trade. The same problem is occurring in Guatemala,El Salvador, Costa Rica and Mexico, according to
Zelaya.[24]
Drug prohibition laws
The following individual drugs listed under their respective family groups (e.g., barbiturates, benzodiazepines,
opiates) are the most frequently sought after by drug users and as such are prohibited or otherwise heavily
regulated for use in many countries:
Among the Barbiturates, Pentobarbital (Nembutal), Secobarbital (Seconal), and Amobarbital (Amytal)
Among the Benzodiazepines, temazepam (Restoril; Normison; Euhypnos), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol;
Hypnor; Flunipam), andnimetazepam (Erimin)
Cannabis products, e.g., marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil
Among the Dissociatives, phencyclidine (PCP), and ketamine are the most sought after.
Hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline, peyote, and psilocybin
Empathogen-entactogen drugs like MDMA ("Ecstasy")
Among the Narcotics, it is opiates such as morphine and codeine, and opioids such
as hydrocodone (Vicodin; Hycodan),oxycodone (Percocet; Oxycontin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid),
and heroin
Sedatives such as GHB and methaqualone (Quaalude)
Stimulants such
as cocaine, amphetamine (Adderall), Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
,methcathinone, and methylphenidate (Ritalin).
The regulation of the above drugs varies in many countries. Alcohol possession and consumption by adults is
today widely banned only in Islamic countries and certain states of India. The United States, Finland, and
Canada banned alcohol in the early part of the 20th century; this was called Prohibition. Although alcohol
prohibition was repealed in the United States, there are still parts of the United States that do not allow
alcohol sales, even though alcohol possession may be legal. Bhutan is the only country in the world where
possession and use of tobacco is illegal. In some parts of the world, provisions are made for the use of
traditional sacraments likeAyahuasca, Iboga, and Peyote. In Gabon, Africa, iboga (Tabernanthe iboga) has
been declared a national treasure and is used in rites of the Bwiti religion. The active ingredient, ibogaine,[25] is
proposed as a treatment of opioid withdrawal and various substance use disorders.
In countries where alcohol and tobacco are legal, certain measures are frequently undertaken to discourage
use of these drugs. For example, packages of alcohol and tobacco sometimes communicate warnings directed
towards the consumer, communicating the potential risks of partaking in the use of the substance. These drugs
also frequently have special sin taxes associated with the purchase thereof, in order to recoup the losses
associated with public funding for the health problems the use causes in long-term users. Restrictions on
advertising also exist in many countries, and often a state holds a monopoly on manufacture, distribution,
marketing, and/or the sale of these drugs.
In the United States, there is considerable legal debate about the impact these laws have had on
Americans' civil rights. Critics claim that the War on Drugs has lowered the evidentiary burden required for a
legal search of a suspect's dwelling or vehicle, or to intercept a suspect's communications.[citation needed] However,
many of the searches that result in drug arrests are often "commission" to search a person or the person's
property.[clarification needed]
People who consent to a search, knowing full well that they possess contraband, generally consent because
they are ignorant of the fact that they have the right to decline permission to search.[citation needed] Under the laws
of most U.S. states, police are not required to disclose to suspects that they have the right to decline a search.
Even when a suspect does not give permission to search, police are often known[citation needed] to state in arrest
affidavits and even provide sworn testimony that the suspect consented to the search, secure in the knowledge
that a judge will normally weigh all questions of credibility in favour of law enforcement and against the
accused.[neutrality is disputed]
Similarly, in cases where the accused does not consent to a search, courts have generally held police to a very
low standard[according to whom?] of reasonable suspicion and/or probable cause in drug cases, essentially endorsing
"fishing expeditions" by stop-and-search highway interdiction police.[neutrality is disputed][citation needed]
The sentencing statutes in the United States Code that cover controlled substances are notoriously intricate.
[neutrality is disputed] For example, a first-time offender convicted in a single proceeding for selling marijuana three
times, and found to have carried a gun on him all three times (even if it were not used) is subject to a minimum
sentence of 55 years in federal prison. U.S. v. Angelos, 345 F. Supp. 2d 1227 (D. Utah 2004).
Drug sentencing guidelines under state law in America are generally much less harsh than the federal
sentencing guidelines. The vast majority of drug felonies and almost all drug misdemeanors in the United
States are prosecuted at the state level. The federal government tends to prosecute only drug trafficking cases
involving large amounts of drugs, or cases, which have been referred to federal prosecutors by local district
attorneys seeking harsher sentences under the federal sentencing guidelines. In rare instances, some
defendants are prosecuted both federally and by the state for the same drug trafficking conduct. The United
States Supreme Court has ruled that a defendant does not face double jeopardy if he is convicted and
sentenced by both the state and federal government for the same underlying criminal conduct.
Sometimes, crimes not directly related to drug use and sale are prohibited. For example, the United States
recently brought charges against club owners for maintaining a place of business where a) Ecstasy is known to
be frequently consumed; b) paraphernaliaassociated with the use of Ecstasy is sold and/or widely tolerated
(such as glow sticks and pacifiers); and c) "chill-out rooms" are created, where Ecstasy users can cool down
(Ecstasy users in club settings tend to dance for extended periods of time, raising the user's blood
temperature).[citation needed] These are being challenged in court by organizations such as the American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU) and Drug Policy Alliance.[citation needed]
Drug prohibition has created several legal dilemmas. For example many countries allow the use
of undercover law enforcement officers solely or primarily for the enforcement of laws against use of certain
drugs. Many of these officers are allegedly allowed to commit crimes if it is necessary to maintain the secrecy
of the investigation, or in order to collect adequate evidence for aconviction.[citation needed] Some people have
criticized this practice as failing to ensure equality under the law because it grants police officers the right to
commit crimes that no other citizen could commit without potential consequences.
Another legal dilemma is the creation of a legal loop hole allowing for the arbitrary arrest and prosecution of
anyone in several countries.[clarification needed] This is the result of several drugs such as Dimethyltryptamine, GHB
and morphine being illegal to possess but also inherently present in all humans as a result of endogenous
synthesis. Since some jurisdictions classify possession of drugs to include having the drug present in the blood
in any concentration, all residents of such countries are technically in possession of multiple illegal drugs at all
times.[citation needed]
The War on Drugs has stimulated the creation of international law enforcement agencies (such as Interpol),
mostly in Western countries. This has occurred because a large volume of illicit drugs come from Third-
World countries.
[edit]Social control
In Hallucinations: Behavior, Experience, and Theory (1975), senior US government researchers Louis Jolyon
West and Ronald K. Siegelexplain how drug prohibition can be used for selective social control:
“The role of drugs in the exercise of political control is also coming under increasing discussion. Control can be through prohibition or supply. The total or even partial prohibition of drugs gives the government considerable leverage for other types of control. An example would be the selective application of drug laws… against selected components of the population such as members of certain minority groups or political organizations[26] ”
Academic Noam Chomsky argues that Drug laws are currently, and have historically, been used by the state to
oppress sections of society it opposes:[27]
“Very commonly substances are criminalized because they're associated with what's called the dangerous classes, poor people, or working people. So for example in England in the 19th century, there was a period when gin was criminalized and whiskey wasn't, because gin is what poor people drink. ”
[edit]Penalties
[edit]United States
Main article: Drug policy of the United States
Drug possession is the crime of having one or more illegal drugs in one's possession, either for personal use,
distribution, sale or otherwise. Illegal drugs fall into different categories and sentences vary depending on the
amount, type of drug, circumstances, and jurisdiction.
In the U.S., the penalty for illegal drug possession and sale can vary from a small fine to a prison sentence. In
some states, marijuana possession is considered to be a petty offense, with the penalty being comparable to
that of a speeding violation. In some municipalities, possessing a small quantity of marijuana in one's own
home is not punishable at all. Generally, however, drug possession is an arrestable offense, although first-time
offenders rarely serve jail time.
Federal law makes even possession of soft drugs, such as cannabis, illegal, though some local governments
have laws contradicting federal laws.
In the U.S., the War on Drugs is thought to be contributing to a prison overcrowding problem. In 1996,
59.6%[28] of prisoners were drug-related criminals. The U.S. population grew by about +25% from 1980 to 2000.
In that same 20 year time period, the U.S. prison population tripled, making the U.S. the world leader in both
percentage and absolute number of citizens incarcerated. The United States has 5% of the worlds population,
but 25% of the prisoners.[29]
[edit]Australia
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There is a movement in Australia to make some substances decriminalized, particularly cannabis, making the
possession of such a non-convictable offense in most states (however, the definition of what constitutes
possession can differ between states).
As a result of the decriminalization, the punishments for drug use and drug dealing in Australia are typically
very small, with many convicted small-time drug dealers not having to spend any time in jail.
There is an associated anti-drug culture amongst a significant number of Australians. Law enforcement targets
drugs, particularly in the party scene.
[edit]The Netherlands
Main article: Drug policy of the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, cannabis and other "soft" drugs are partly decriminalised in small quantities. The Dutch
government treats the problem as more of a public health issue than a criminal issue. Contrary to popular
belief, cannabis is still illegal, mostly to satisfy the country's agreements with the United Nations. Coffee
shops that sell cannabis to people 18 or above are tolerated in some cities, and pay taxes like any other
business for their cannabis and hashish sales, although distribution is a grey area that the authorities would
rather not go into as it is not decriminalised. Many "coffee shops" are found in Amsterdam and cater mainly to
the large tourist trade; the local consumption rate is far lower than in the US.[citation needed] Each coffee shop will,
from 2012, operate like a private club with some 1,000 to 1,500 members. In order to qualify for a membership
card, applicants must be adult Dutch citizens, membership will only be allowed in one club.[30]
Netherlands has the highest antidrug related public expenditure per capita of all countries in EU (139 EUR per
capita, 2004).[citation needed]
Similarly to the rest of the European Union member states and American democracies, controlled drugs are
illegal in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, illegal drugs are consumed worldwide, causing concern in the
international community. According to the United Nations Drug Control Programme, results in the 2001 World
Drug Report estimate "that the extent of drug abuse in the world involves about 180 million people, which
represents 3% of the global population. The majority of drug users (80%) used cannabis, followed by
amphetamine-type stimulants such as methamphetamine, amphetamine and substances of the ecstasy group
(16%), cocaine (8%), heroin (5%) and other opiates (2%)".[citation needed]
The administrative bodies responsible for enforcing the drug policies include the Ministry of Health, Welfare and
Sport, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and the Ministry of Finance.
Local authorities also shape local policy, within the national framework. The prohibition policy is heavily
influenced by the international community (through the United Nations), especially the neighboring states of
France and Germany, which pressure the kingdom to be more strict, for they are directly affected through the
illegal trafficking of narcotics coming from the Netherlands.[citation needed]
Legally, possession, manufacturing, trafficking, importation and exportation are forbidden. Nonetheless, it is not
an offense to use drugs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2003). There are different penalties involved when
breaking the law, which may include a monetary fine, imprisonment, or both. To apply the law, the government
differentiates between "soft" and "hard" drugs. Soft drugs are considered to produce less harm to both the
individual and society, these being used mainly for folk medicine and recreational purposes. This category
encompasses cannabis (nederwiet), hashish and some fungi. Hard drugs are considered to cause considerable
personal harm through addiction and physical detriment, as well as nuisance to society, by increasing crime
and deteriorating families. Cocaine, heroin, etc. belong to this category.[citation needed]
Along with these two categories, there is a pyramid of priority when it comes to prosecution by law enforcement
agencies.
1. The handling and trade of hard drugs is on the zenith, being a joint target not only by the Netherlands,
but also by the international community. This can be punished by maximum sentences of twelve years
of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to€45.000.[citation needed]
2. The second priority is given to the production and trade of soft drugs. Deviation from the AHOJ-G
criteria for coffee shops may result in up to four years of imprisonment and/or a fine of €45.000.
3. The third priority focuses on hard drug users. Instead of labelling the users of hard drugs as
"criminals", the state aims to rehabilitate users and prevent others from becoming addicted. However,
disturbance to society cased by the consumption of hard drugs can result in one year of prison and/or
a €11.250 fine. Lastly, individuals possessing more than five grams for personal consumption, or
disturbing the public, can go to prison for one month and/or be fined €2.250.[citation needed]
There are varying rules within these categories, for example the amount possessed, the role played in the
transaction and the intent of the goods.[citation needed]
Regarding coffee shops, the line between law and practice thins. A coffee shop is a heavily controlled business
establishment where individuals can purchase a personal dose of soft drugs in the form of joints, pastry, drinks
and packages. In theory illegal, these shops must abide by governmental and local regulations, as well as meet
the AHOJ-G criteria, an acronym for: No Advertising, Hard drugs, Nuisance of any kind, Jongeren (minors
under 18), and a limit of five grams per transaction. Additionally, the maximum stock at any time is five hundred
grams. Local governments may impose additional rules, such as closing times, zoning (coffee shops may not
be close to schools), and parking restrictions. The rationale behind coffee shops is to keep citizens away from
the hard drugs scene, bringing them to a safe, social, and regulated environment.[citation needed]
When analysing the Dutch model, both disadvantages and advantages can be drawn when comparing the
results with other countries. On a moral argument, tolerating soft drugs can be seen as the defeat of the
government against hedonism. Additionally, decades of growing and perfecting cannabis and hashish has
resulted in increased levels of the main active hallucinogenic constituenttetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as levels
have doubled, making the derived products more powerful, and therefore requiring less to achieve the desired
effect.[citation needed]
The coffee shop will lose its license if it caught selling to minors. Though there was a slight increase of use at
the beginning, the rates balanced out some years later. The presence of coffee shops does not translate in
public urge for experimentation. In fact, most people that did not consume drugs before the enhancement of the
policy continue not to use them.[citation needed]
When compared to other countries, Dutch drug consumption falls in the European average at six per cent
regular use (twenty-one per cent at some point in life) and considerably lower than the Anglo-Saxon countries
headed by the United States with an eight per cent recurring use (thirty-four at some point in life). Experts have
come to the conclusion that the policies applied do not play a striking role in these statistics, though there is
debate over this issue (CEDRO, 2004).
[edit]Indonesia
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(June 2006)
Indonesia carries a maximum penalty of death for drug dealing, and a maximum of 15 years prison for drug
use.
In 2004, Australian citizen Schappelle Corby was convicted of smuggling 4.4 kilograms of cannabis in to Bali, a
crime that carried a maximum penalty of death. Her trial reached the verdict of guilty with a punishment of 20
years imprisonment. Corby claimed to be an unwitting drug mule.
Australian citizens known as the "Bali Nine" were caught smuggling heroin, and each face the death penalty.
In August 2005, Australian model Michelle Leslie was arrested with two Ecstasy pills. She pleaded guilty to
possession and in November 2005 was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment, which she was deemed to have
already served, and was released from prison immediately upon her admission of guilt on the charge of
possession.
[edit]Methods of law enforcement
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Because the possession of drugs is a victimless crime that can be committed in privacy, the enforcement of
prohibitionist laws requires methods of law enforcement to inspect even private property. In societies with
strong property laws or individual rights, this may present a risk for conflicts or violations of rights.
Disrupting the market relies on eradication, interdiction and domestic law enforcement efforts.
Dareton police search the vehicle of a suspected drug smuggler in Wentworth, in the state of New South Wales, Australia,
near the border with Victoria
Through cooperation with governments such as those of Colombia, Mexico andAfghanistan, coca (the plant
source for cocaine) and poppy (the plant source for opium and heroin) are eradicated by the United States and
other allies such as the United Kingdom, so that the crops cannot be processed into narcotics. Eradication can
be accomplished by aerial spraying or manual eradication. However, the eradication is only temporary as the
harvest fields can usually be replanted after a certain amount of time. The government of Colombian
President Álvaro Uribe has resisted criticism of aerial spraying of coca and poppy and has seen major
reductions in both crops according to the United Nations Office of Crime and Drugs (See also Plan Colombia).
In 2003, over 1,300 square kilometers of mature coca were sprayed and eradicated in Colombia, where at the
start of the year, approximately 1,450 square kilometers had been planted. This strategic accomplishment
prevented the production over 500 tonnes of cocaine, sufficient to supply all the cocaine users in both US and
Europe for one year. Further, it eliminated upward of $100 million of illicit income in Colombia. No effect on
prices or availability in the marketplace has been noted, and the actual number of acres of coca planted seems
to have actually increased, largely shifting to more remote areas or into neighboring countries. Aerial spraying
also has the unintended consequence of destroying legitimate crop fields in the process.
Interdiction is carried out primarily by aerial and naval armed forces patrolling known trafficking zones. From
South America to the United States most drugs traverse either the Caribbean Sea or the Eastern Pacific,
usually in "go-fast" boats that carry drug cargos and engines and little else.
Investigation on drug trafficking often begins with the recording of unusually frequent deaths by overdose,
monitoring financial flows of suspected traffickers, or by finding concrete elements while inspecting for other
purposes. For example, a person pulled over for traffic violations may have illicit drugs in his or her vehicle,
thus leading to an arrest and/or investigation of the source of the materials. The United States federal
government has placed a premium on disrupting the large drug trafficking organizations that move narcotics
into and around the United States, while state and local law enforcement focus on disrupting street-level drug
dealing gangs.
[edit]Drug control strategy
Present drug control efforts utilize several techniques in the attempt to achieve their goal of eliminating illegal
drug use:
Disrupting the market for drugs
Prevention efforts that rely on community activism, public information campaigns to educate the public on
the potential dangers of drug use
Law-enforcement efforts against elements of the supply chain, through surveillance and undercover work
Providing effective and targeted substance abuse treatment to dependent users
[edit]Alternatives to prohibition
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Arguments for and against drug prohibition. (Discuss) Proposed since February 2010.
On February 11, 2009 a document called Drugs and democracy in Latin America: Towards a paradigm
shift was signed by several Latin American political figures, intellectuals, writers and journalists as
commissioners of the Latin American Initiative on Drugs and Democracy. The document questioned the war on
drugs and points out its failures. It also indicates that prohibition has come with an extensive social cost,
especially to the countries that take part in the production of illicit drugs. Although controversial, the document
does not endorse either the production or consumption of drugs but recommends for both a new and an
alternative approach. The document argues that drug production and consumption has become a
social taboo that inhibits the public debate because of its relationship to crime and as consequence it confines
consumers to a small circle where they become more vulnerable to the actions of organized crime. The authors
also demand for a close review to the prohibitive strategies of the United States and the study of the
advantages and limits of the damage reduction strategy followed by the European Union. The proposal uses
three paradigms as an alternative:
The treatment of consumption as a problem of public health.
The reduction of consumption through the dissemination of information and prevention.
A new focus towards organized crime.
The document favors the European policies towards drug consumption since according to the authors it is more
humane and efficient. The signers of this document are: Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Ernesto Zedillo, Cesar
Gaviria, Paulo Coelho, Enrique Santos, Mario Vargas Llosa, Moisés Naím, Tomas Eloy Martinez [31]
Two years later in mid-2011, the core of the Initiative and its commission were extended and endorsed in a
report issued by the Global Commission on Drug Policy. Joining the three former presidents of Colombia, Brazil
and Mexico and Nobel Prize for Literature winner Llosa on the Global Commission were former U.S. Secretary
of State George P. Schultz and Federal Reserve chair Paul Volcker;Carlos Fuentes, Mexican writer and public
intellectual; John C. Whitehead, formerly of Goldman Sachs; and Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of
the United Nations.[32]
[edit]See also
Arguments for and against drug prohibition
Drug liberalization
Demand reduction
Harm reduction
Prohibitionism
Drug policy of the Soviet Union
US specific:
School district drug policies
Drug Policy Alliance
DrugWarRant
Gary Webb
Marijuana Policy Project
National Organization for the Re
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Top 10 Drugs and their Effects by Jamie Frater, September 27, 2007
Drug abuse is a very common problem in most countries so it seemed like a good topic
for a list. This is a list of ten of the most abused drugs and the effects they have on
people.
10Heroin
Heroin is an opiate processed directly from the extracts of the opium poppy. It was
originally created to help cure people of addiction to morphine. Upon crossing the blood-
brain barrier, which occurs soon after introduction of the drug into the bloodstream,
heroin is converted into morphine, which mimics the action of endorphins, creating a
sense of well-being; the characteristic euphoria has been described as an “orgasm”
centered in the gut. One of the most common methods of heroin use is via intravenous
injection.
For the last 4 months, my partner and I have been recreationally using heroin. H became our weekend ritual. Lighting candles, playing music, brie and wine and grapes, reading tarot and finally fucking… for hours on end, the most intense beautiful technicolor sex. Each time we did it we got closer to each other. And each time we did it, we wanted to do it again, and again. We tried saying we’d only do it once every two weeks, but that lasted 6 days. We have rules about how much we do in one night, how late we stay up and so on. So far the rules have kept us safe from addiction. Unless you consider the nagging i-don’t-wanna-go-a-weekend-or-have-sex-without-it feelings. We’ve never run out, although, once we were down to our last little bit and I left the vial open on the night stand. I was reaching for the lube when I heard the most sickening sound, the vial falling over. Turns out, I was mistaken, I had remembered to put the cap back on. But in those few seconds of uncertainty, my girl and I shot each other a look we had never seen before.. Fear.
9Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca
plant. It is both a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant,
giving rise to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased
energy. It is most often used recreationally for this effect. Cocaine is a potent central
nervous system stimulant. Its effects can last from 20 minutes to several hours,
depending upon the dosage of cocaine taken, purity, and method of administration. The
initial signs of stimulation are hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure,
increased heart rate and euphoria. The euphoria is sometimes followed by feelings of
discomfort and depression and a craving to experience the drug again. Sexual interest
and pleasure can be amplified. Side effects can include twitching, paranoia, and
impotence, which usually increases with frequent usage.
The cocaine arrived and we agreed to use it at a time that translated to three and a half
hours after I arrived. It cost $60 for what I was told was an eighth of a gram. This
seemed rather expensive, but I was assured that it was ‘high quality product.’ I took the
line up my left nostril. After about ninety seconds, I felt my heartbeat increase. It was
definitely kicking in. I began to worry a bit, as I could feel my heart pounding and my
pulse increasing. I finally felt as if it had reached a plateau. My heartbeat became level,
albeit still very high. Many people say that one feels euphoria – being invincible and/or
the desire to clean the house. I did not feel either of these (and I did remember to think
about these things). For me, the positive effects of cocaine came directly from knowing
that I had reached a plateau and I was going to be fine. I felt invigorated, yet also very
comfortable.
One of the best treatment for drug addiction is to consult with cocaine rehab centers for
recovery.
8Methamphetamine
Methamphetamime, popularly shortened to meth or ice, is a psychostimulant and
sympathomimetic drug. Methamphetamine enters the brain and triggers a cascading
release of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Since it stimulates the mesolimbic
reward pathway, causing euphoria and excitement, it is prone to abuse and addiction.
Users may become obsessed or perform repetitive tasks such as cleaning, hand-
washing, or assembling and disassembling objects. Withdrawal is characterized by
excessive sleeping, eating and depression-like symptoms, often accompanied by
anxiety and drug-craving.
We first smoked meth on New Year’s Eve because we heard it was great for sex. I had
to work the next day and so saved some to smoke before work in the morning. When I
got home another g was waiting for me and I smoked every day but one until I finally
quit three months later. For three weeks we smoked meth with little consequence, then
my skin became fragile and in addition to breaking out, started to swell. I was really
worried because I was constantly thirsty and drinking water, but I rarely urinated. Then
my kidneys started hurting. I had lost twenty pounds in two months and my husband
had lost thirty, and we’d read somewhere that rapid weight loss can cause kidney
failure. I slept every three or four days for an hour or so and woke feeling rested. I was
an hour late for work everyday. My husband wrecked the truck three times. One day I
forgot to feed my son. Everything was either the highest of highs or the lowest of lows,
no in between existed anymore. We were banned from the sauna at our apartment
complex because no one else could use it. Our sweat smelled so strongly of ammonia it
burned the eyes, it was caustic, and it burned our skin too. My husband and I haven’t
done any drugs at all for four weeks, and things are slowly going back to normal. But I
still want it. I can’t sleep tonight because I want it. I wrote this in all honesty mostly to
help myself, to remind myself why I don’t want it. And still I want it.
7Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine, often nicknamed “crack”, is believed to have been created and made
popular during the early 1980s . Because of the dangers for manufacturers of using
ether to produce pure freebase cocaine, producers began to omit the step of removing
the freebase precipitate from the ammonia mixture. Typically, filtration processes are
also omitted. Baking soda is now most often used as a base rather than ammonia for
reasons of lowered odor and toxicity; however, any weak base can be used to make
crack cocaine. When commonly “cooked” the ratio is 1:1 to 2:3 parts
cocaine/bicarbonate.
As I held the smoke in for a ten count and exhaled, I thought I felt nothing except a little
excitement that was neither bad nor pleasurable. The complete rush some writers have
called a ‘whole-body orgasm’ hit me shortly after and I distinctly remember demanding
‘more’ as soon as the realization of heaven-on-earth came. Some people say that the
effects of smoking crack lasts 10-15 minutes. For me, it was just a shortest instant of
gratification. Everything afterwards was just a great increase in energy and confidence
geared towards obtaining more of the drug.
6LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD, LSD-25, or acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug
of the tryptamine family. Arguably the most regarded of all psychedelics, it is considered
mainly as a recreational drug, an entheogen, and a tool in use to supplement various
types of exercises for transcendence including in meditation, psychonautics, and illegal
psychedelic psychotherapy whether self administered or not. LSD’s psychological
effects (colloquially called a “trip”) vary greatly from person to person, depending on
factors such as previous experiences, state of mind and environment, as well as dose
strength. They also vary from one trip to another, and even as time passes during a
single trip. An LSD trip can have long term psychoemotional effects; some users cite the
LSD experience as causing significant changes in their personality and life perspective.
Widely different effects emerge based on what Leary called set and setting; the “set”
being the general mindset of the user, and the “setting” being the physical and social
environment in which the drug’s effects are experienced.
About ten years ago I bought my third trip from a guy in my home town Norwich (UK) It
was a ‘Strawberry’ and I was told it had been double dipped. The guy had a reputation
for selling good acid so I happily gave him my cash. I took the single LSD tab in the late
morning in a positive state of mind with no worries or anxieties. I began to come up on
the acid towards the lunch time. It was to be the first and last time I’d ever trip alone.
Outside it was a glorious sunny day but I was happy enough in my temporary sanctuary
to even think about going outside. The LSD rush started blazing up my spine and racing
through my guts, I felt a little uneasy with it but had enough mind to allow myself to just
go with it and wait until the rush plateaued. I was having a wonderful time, watching
floral Escher type patterns breathing over my skin. I vaguely recall deciding to go
downstairs again for some reason then the next thing I recall was awakening on the
floor of the dining room alone. The first thing I noticed was that there were blowflies
buzzing around a bowl of catfood on the kitchen floor. I remember feeling perplexed as
to why both flies had two bright neon after images in red and blue. Somehow I
navigated myself through Norwich during the busy lunchtime shoppers and begun to
head in the direction of the city’s central park ‘Chapelfield gardens’. If you could imagine
for a moment being surrounded by people in a busy place where their heads had been
removed and replaced by Squids and Octopus you might begin to accurately picture the
scene confronting me in the park. Everyone had tentacles smothering their faces and
dangling down their necks like fleshy snake beards, even the women and children were
not exempt from this disfiguration. In retrospect, it was the worst day of my entire life, It
was the closest I can imagine to having full blown psychosis.
5Ecstasy
Ecstasy (MDMA) is a semisynthetic psychedelic entactogen of the phenethylamine
family that is much less visual with more stimulant like effects than most all other
common “trip” producing psychedelics. It is considered mainly a recreational drug that’s
often used with sex and associated with club drugs, as an entheogen, and a tool in use
to supplement various types of practices for transcendence including in meditation,
psychonautics, and illicit psychedelic psychotherapy whether self administered or not.
The primary effects of MDMA include an increased awareness of the senses, feelings of
openness, euphoria, empathy, love,happiness, heightened self-awareness, feeling of
mental clarity and an increased appreciation of music and movement. Tactile
sensations are enhanced for some users, making physical contact with others more
pleasurable. Other side effects, such as jaw clenching and elevated pulse, are common.
Sitting comfortably in our cosy living room, Café del Mar and similar CDs playing in the
background, we began at 8 pm. I swallowed one white tablet with water. Over the next
hour nothing much happened except that I found myself talking quite openly and
confidently with the others, moving very easily into interesting conversations. This was a
little unusual for me as I am normally quite shy and overly self-conscious in social
situations and it takes me a while to loosen up. The next thing I experienced was a
striking shift in my visual perception. I don’t mean a hallucination or a distortion, but a
wonderful step up in the aesthetic quality. For a moment it was like being in one of
those nostalgic TV ads where the world looks all gold and sepia. ‘Everything’s gone
amber!’ I blurted. But then I found that my vision was becoming beautifully enhanced. It
made my normal visual experience seem like cheap, fuzzy CCTV footage in
comparison. Now I was seeing the world anew in sharp, lush, top-quality Technicolor! I
also began to move in time to the music. The music! Oh, the music! Wow! It sounded so
good, so organic! The uplifted state stayed with me and took a long time to fade — at
least a couple of weeks. It had unleashed in me a rush of joy that was still accessible
when I focused on it weeks later.
4Opium
Opium is a resinous narcotic formed from the latex released by lacerating (or “scoring”)
the immature seed pods of opium poppies (Papaver somniferum). It contains up to 16%
morphine, an opiate alkaloid, which is most frequently processed chemically to produce
heroin for the illegal drug trade. Opium has gradually been superseded by a variety of
purified, semi-synthetic, and synthetic opioids with progressively stronger effect, and by
other general anesthesia. This process began in 1817, when Friedrich Wilhelm Adam
Sertürner reported the isolation of pure morphine from opium after at least thirteen
years of research and a nearly disastrous trial on himself and three boys.
I remember that what I smoked was much easier to smoke than marijuana. There was
no burning in my throat nor in my lungs. I took a very large, smooth hit. Smoking it like
marijuana, I held it in for about 10 or 15 seconds and let it out. It didn’t taste like
marijuana, I remember the taste being rather faint. It actually tasted and smelled like
incense. I was very surprised to suddenly find myself on the floor, in the dark, with a
crowd of people surrounding me. Apparently I had fainted and fallen to the ground, but I
hadn’t noticed. The high itself is rather hard to describe. It was much more intense than
marijuana. It felt heavy, like my whole body was being impacted… but it also felt very
clear and refined at the same time. As I made my way towards the bathroom the drug
began to kick in again. My steps kind of faded away and it felt like I was just floating
over to the bathroom. The scary thing was though, that I was having trouble seeing. My
vision was fading. Distinct figures melted into shadows and everything had a sparkle to
it. All of a sudden, everything felt really good. I couldn’t stop smiling. Everything was
profound in a very positive way, especially the music since it resonated everywhere. It
was a very abstruse experience. I imagine that I was coming down at this point, an hour
had surely past by because the band was building a climax to end their first set. I went
along with the crowd and made my way outside. The fresh air was wonderful. The cool
air seemed to wrap around my body. A slight breeze on the back of my neck sent chills
that rapidly multiplied throughout my body.
3Marijuana
Cannabis, known as marijuana in its herbal form, is a psychoactive product of the plant
Cannabis sativa. Humans have been consuming cannabis since prehistory, although in
the 20th century there was a rise in its use for recreational, religious or spiritual, and
medicinal purposes. It is estimated that about four percent of the world’s adult
population use cannabis annually. It has psychoactive and physiological effects when
consumed, usually by smoking or ingestion. The minimum amount of THC required to
have a perceptible psychoactive effect is about 10 micrograms per kilogram of body
weight. The state of intoxication due to cannabis consumption is colloquially known as a
“high”; it is the state where mental and physical facilities are noticeably altered due to
the consumption of cannabis. Each user experiences a different high, and the nature of
it may vary upon factors such as potency, dose, chemical composition, method of
consumption and set and setting.
After taking that first hit, and not feeling the effects within a minute (holding it in for a
minute, and then waiting a little bit after exhaling) I decided, well I better hit this again,
harder if I can. I took just as large of a hit, and again held it in for longer than a minute. I
let my brother know I was really starting to feel something now and I don’t think I liked it
all. It snuck up on me really bad, and I still had no idea what to expect. I wanted him to
be quiet. Laying down was not helping, so I got back up. I went back to the garage and
tried to explain to everyone ‘I am totally fucked up. This is scary!’ I was rationalizing
everything tremendously, but it was SO intense! And it was only getting more intense
faster! I didn’t know what to expect, I was sinking within myself, accelerating downward
like into the depths of my own oblivion. I was a novice, I had no idea what to expect,
and the world had become out of synch, the talking of my brothers, his friend, all
ridiculous and extremely annoying. I became amazingly irritable and wanted them to
leave me alone or not talk in my presence. They did not understand or appreciate my
fear, and they began to get loud again. I ran upstairs to my parents bed and laid down
with some wistful hope that I could wait out this storm.
2Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms (also called psilocybian mushrooms) are fungi that contain the
psychedelic substances psilocybin and psilocin, and occasionally other psychoactive
tryptamines. There are multiple colloquial terms for psilocybin mushrooms, the most
common being magic mushrooms or ‘shrooms. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken
down to produce psilocin, which is responsible for the hallucinogenic effects. The
intoxicating effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms typically last anywhere from 3 to
7 hours depending on dosage, preparation method and personal metabolism. The
experience is typically inwardly oriented, with strong visual and auditory components.
Visions and revelations may be experienced, and the effect can range from exhilarating
to distressing. There can be also a total absence of effects, even with large doses.
I had acquired about 8 grams of dried mushrooms and some liquid psilocybin equivalent
to another 5 grams of powdered mushrooms. I swallowed the liquid first, on an empty
stomach of course. I could feel a slight sensation after about 10-15 minutes. Then I
added the powder to some water in a mug and swallowed that also. I then sat by the
camp fire, listening to the wind in the trees while I contemplated what was about to
happen. After about 45-50 minutes I heard a ‘voice’ calling to me. It wasn’t audible in
the normal sense – it came from inside my own mind! Then I was gone – out of this
world. I escaped into what I perceived to be the outer boundaries of my mind or my
imagination. This placed presented itself as a natural forest with low light. Here I met the
owner of the aforementioned voice – the Mushroom Goddess. She took the form of a
white, strapless, ankle-length dress, standing side-on from me. For about the next two
hours I dialoged with her, becoming totally bewitched by her charm, her wit, her
intelligence, her knowledge, her unconditional affection for me and her seemingly
infinite perspective. I have come to think of her as my other-worldly girlfriend.
1PCP
PCP (Phencyclidine) is a dissociative drug formerly used as an anesthetic agent,
exhibiting hallucinogenic and neurotoxic effects. It is commonly known as Angel Dust,
but is also known as Wet, Sherm, Sherman Hemsley, Rocket Fuel, Ashy Larry,
Shermans Tank, Wack, Halk Hogan, Ozone, HannaH, Hog, Manitoba Shlimbo, and
Embalming Fluid, among other names. Although the primary psychoactive effects of the
drug only last hours, total elimination from the body is prolonged, typically extending
over weeks. PCP is consumed in a recreational manner by drug users, mainly in the
United States, where the demand is met by illegal production. It comes in both powder
and liquid forms (PCP base dissolved most often in ether), but typically it is sprayed
onto leafy material such as marijuana, mint, oregano, parsley or Ginger Leaves, and
smoked. PCP has potent effects on the nervous system altering perceptual functions
(hallucinations, delusional ideas, delirium or confused thinking), motor functions
(unsteady gait, loss of coordination, and disrupted eye movement or nystagmus), and
autonomic nervous system regulation (rapid heart rate, altered temperature regulation).
The drug has been known to alter mood states in an unpredictable fashion causing
some individuals to become detached and others to become animated.
When I was taking the drug, I used very small amounts. The effect was incredibly
pleasant and social, so much so that me and my friends all used it instead of booze for
almost a year. I couldn’t dance for shit on the stuff (I’d get stumbly and actually fell on
my ass on the dancefloor once) but the physical sensations and mental pictures were
really fun. It is quite different from any psychedelic visuals or even Ketamine visuals…
more like rolling through old film footage. To be honest, I liked it more than my
experiences on Ketamine. PCP can make one nearly impervious to pain at high doses.
Because of this, PCP can make things seem like a good idea that otherwise wouldn’t
(leading to the stories of people leaping out of windows, etc.) I experienced very
confusing physical reality when really high on it, like being unable to discern the
difference between walking up stairs and down them, or standing still and walking. This
could lead to very unusual behaviour