These four drugs aren’t on Singapore’s official list of banned
drugs, but they are just as harmful. By Kurt Ganapathy and Ramesh
William.
Go on, admit it. If you were in club a year ago and someone
rocked up to ask if you’d like some meow-meow, you would have
thought him stark raving bonkers for wanting to palm off a kitty
cat in the middle of the dance floor.
But late last year, things began to change. The mention of
meow-meow—M-Cat to those in-the-know—elicited excited glints in the
eyes of those in the know. The street name for the party drug known
as mephedrone, this is fast becoming a clubber’s new legal high.
And the reason this harmful narcotic continues not to run afoul of
Singapore’s infamously stringent drug laws is down to a
technicality—the authorities here have it classified as a “plant
food.” This makes it legit to possess, sell and consume the
substance. But be warned: The effects of mephedrone are just as
harmful as other banned drugs like cocaine and heroin. Already,
several deaths have occurred in Europe through its use. Germany,
Sweden and, just a fortnight ago, the UK, have all placed it under
their list of banned substances.
With Singapore’s tough stance on drugs, mephedrone is likely to be
reclassified in the near future—count on that. But the “mephedrone
episode” in Singapore shows how potentially lethal substances can
slip through the cracks—most here buy it off The internet, where
it’s all too easily available—and fly under the radar, with the
authorities none the wiser. We give you the lowdown on the sly
M-Cat and a few other “drugs” that aren’t under the list of banned
drugs here. Remember, just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s
safe or that its use is condoned.
a.k.a. meow-meow, M-Cat, meph, bubbles
What: Synthetic stimulant belonging to the
amphetamine and cathinone class of drugs. A white, powdery
substance which also comes in capsules, crystals or in liquid form,
such versatility allows it be packaged in many ways and sold as
innocuous items like money-plant fertilizers and bath salts (swim
in that, sucker). According to reports, until recently it was sold
alongside mints and chocolates at the counters of newsagents in the
UK. Sold on the Internet—most originates from the UK, where it’s
acquired from Chinese sources in bulk. Sold for $30-$45 a gram in
Singapore.
Taken because: An alternative to cocaine and
ecstasy, this drug reportedly induces euphoria, excitement and a
state of openness. So look out for erstwhile science lab buddies
who were nerds two days ago and suddenly can’t get enough of
boogeying and chasing tail like the next Daniel Craig.
Taken how: Snorting it after you’ve arranged it
in neat, preferably parallel, lines. Drink it—the extra suicidal
among you can put it in energy drinks. Or wrap it in a piece of
paper and swallow it. Now, most of us have eaten cardboard in the
bad old broke days of college life, but this is ridiculous.
Why so serious: You could die. It may also
cause palpitations, blood vessel constriction, fits, nasty nose
bleeds, teeth grinding and trismus, which dear friends, is the
inability to open one’s mouth. Still sounds like a party drug to
you? Nope, didn’t think so. Meph also turns your fingers blue,
which, unless you’re a member of the Blue Man Group, you should
have no business having. Also induces paranoia—please, like we need
more paranoid Singaporeans.
Banned in: Germany, Scandinavia, the UK and
Israel, to name a few.
Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) says: “Our
current assessment is that there is no widespread abuse of the drug
Mephedrone here in Singapore. Nonetheless, CNB is monitoring the
situation closely and is studying the possibility of listing
mephedrone as a controlled drug.”
a.k.a. Diviner’s Sage, SCE, Salvia Extract, Sally-D
What: Part of the sage and mint family, the
salvia divinorum, to quote its full name, has been around for a
long while. The Aztecs have long been aware of it state-altering
effects and its hallucinogenic effects are among the strongest from
a naturally occurring herb—stronger than even cannabis, apparently.
Like meph, this is also easily available online and its price is
seasonal.
Taken because: People want to tune out and use
this as an alternative to marijuana and hashish. Symptoms of
highness include wavy walls and blurry patterns—so you can rule
this out as a clubbers’ drug because you might just lose the plot
if you come into contact with a disco ball in this state.
Taken how: Smoked from a pipe.
Why so serious: The headaches are a killer.
There is long-term vision disability—in other words, you can get
all Stevie Wonder and shake your head rueing what an idiot you’ve
been. Also known to cause cold sweats and chills, and also
excessive drooling. We think we speak for all when we say, “Eww,
yuck!”
Banned in: Australia, Belgium, Colorado,
Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden have
controls on the drug—from a total ban to a medical-use-only
restriction.
CNB says: “(A) salvia divinorium (case) was
first detected in Singapore in 2003. We would like to highlight
that it was a single and isolated seizure detected by the CNB.
There have been no such cases since.”
a.k.a. Kava-kava, piper methysticum, Kava Root, sakau
What: Popular in the South Pacific, where it is
found as a shrub. The root is where the “prized stuff” is and it is
ground into a powder form and then made into capsules, teas, drinks
and various liquid extracts. While the science of its “badness”
isn’t clearly fleshed out, it is thought that Kava messes around
with the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain which affects the
blood. Its proponents claim it as an excellent antidote to anxiety
and insomnia—it’s claimed you’ll sleep like a baby upon drinking
it. In Fiji, it’s like a form of alcohol and used in ceremonies and
official functions—the country is dotted with “grog shops” selling
the substance. In recent years, the abuse of Kava has gotten so out
of hand that Fiji’s President has told citizens to “spend more time
with the family, and less with Kava.” A packet of kava root powder
can be bought off the internet for about $45 a pound.
Taken because: It relieves stress and anxiety,
making it a very popular relaxant. Plus if you’re struggling for a
good night’s sleep, this thing will knock you out faster than a
Manny the Pacman’s punch. So if you’re thinking of taking it and
heading for the clubs, don’t. You’ll feel relaxed alright, but
after a while you might find yourself snoozing under the DJ
console.
Taken how: Can take the form of pill
supplements. The powdered form can be consumed by running water
through a cloth sieve.
Why so serious: Has subtle psychoactive
properties; rashes are another mild side-effect. The other
extremely dangerous side-effect concerns the liver, where prolonged
or “over-enthusiastic” use is known to cause liver damage—including
cirrhosis, hepatitis and organ failure.
Banned in: France, Netherlands and
Switzerland.
CNB says: “Kava is not listed on the Misuse of
Drugs Act, but the Health Sciences Authority lists it as a poison
under the Poisons Act.”
a.k.a. thang, kakuam, thom, ketum, biak
What: A native tree to the region, the leaves
are where you’ll find herbal stimulant properties. It has many
medicinal properties (plugs diarrhea pretty well, according to
fans, and is a reliable painkiller) and is also used
recreationally.
Taken because: Users like its effects. This is
fast gaining popularity with clubbers here because it makes one
alert, full of energy, talkative and sociable, even boosting one’s
sexual energy and endurance. Reports and anecdotal evidence also
suggest it to be a suitable accompaniment to music—with people
experiencing a euphoric state of “waking-dreaming” when they kill
off the lights in their room, lie on their bed and listen to their
favorite album.
Taken how: Boiling the leaves and making it
into a tea. Chewing is also popular. But most crush the leaves into
a powder and consume it.
Why so serious: Occasional users won’t find too
much to be concerned with but frequent users can experience severe
weight loss, muscle aches, muscle tics and diarrhea. And it’s a
hard habit to break—so you start using this at your peril.
Banned in: Controlled substance in Australia,
Bhutan, Burma, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Malaysia and
Thailand.
CNB says: “Kratom is not listed on the Misuse
of Drugs Act. Many factors must be considered before going through
the legislative process of banning a substance.”
A spokesman for the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) had
this to say about banned substances:
“The CNB watches closely the drug abuse situation and developments
both locally and overseas. The CNB will list abused substances in
the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) when it assesses that there is a need
to do so. However the decision is not lightly taken, as we need to
assess the possible impact on its legitimate
uses. In general, Singapore is guided by the recommendations of the
United Nations drug conventions. The extent of abuse and impact of
a substance in
Singapore is also taken into consideration in deciding whether to
list any substances as a controlled drug.”
Drugs That The Law Caught Up With.
Subutex
(Buprenorphine) – Originally used to treat opioid
addictions, drug abusers soon discovered that Subutex itself could
be used to get high. To get their highs, abusers began taking
Subutex with other prescription medication, or they simply injected
a form of the pill directly into their veins. When Subutex is
administered intravenously, it can clog arteries and cause
breathing difficulties. When a syringe is used to deliver drugs, it
is often shared, creating the risk of HIV and hepatitis
transmission.
Subutex was listed as a Class A Controlled Drug in
2006.
Erimin 5 (Nimetazepam) – Once
prescribed to patients suffering from insomnia, the depressant
Erimin 5 quickly became used as more than just a sleeping pill.
Touted as Ecstasy without the side effects, when abused, it affects
judgment, causes memory deterioration, and diminishes motor skills.
Abusers often combine it with other “harder” drugs, putting
themselves in danger of an overdose.
Erimin 5 was listed as a Class A Controlled Drug in
1992.
Ecstasy (MDMA) – Due to its effects
of opening people up to intimacy while numbing their feelings of
fear, stress and depression, Ecstasy was originally used in
psychotherapy. Ecstasy is one of the most heavily used recreational
drugs, and during the high, “good” qualities become amplified,
while “bad” qualities are suppressed. It is during the “come down”
phase that the problems start. Ecstasy can damage the central
nervous system, and fatal overdoses are not uncommon.
Ecstasy was made illegal in the mid
1980s.
LSD (Lysergide) – Also known as Lucy in
the Sky with Diamonds; the symbol of 1960s culture, and the
“inspiration” of countless songs, poems, and works of art. First
synthesized in 1938 from fungus, LSD was initially tested for
various potential medical uses. Administered through a blotting
paper placed under the tongue, LSD causes wild hallucinations, or
“trips,” as users like to call them. These trips can easily go
wrong, and bad trips cause paranoia and panic.
LSD has been illegal for more than 40
years.
Yes, these are too.
Alcohol
Or to be more exact, ethanol. Perhaps humanity’s oldest vice, it’s
a depressant and it affects the receptors for neuronal activity.
The result is reduced attention, slowed reaction, slurred speech
and clumsiness, otherwise known as drunkenness.
The dirt: Ethanol stimulates the production of
insulin, which lowers the blood-sugar level, making people
irritable and that may lead to…yes, fights!
Fatal OD: Yes you can overdose on it, but the
lowest recorded lethal dose is around 20 shots of spirits for a
person weighing 100kg, as the vomit-reflex is normally triggered
before dangerous levels are reached.
Fun fact: Michael Jackson, the renowned
liquorologist, not the Moonwalker, suggested based on archeological
evidence that the drink consumed at The Last Supper was not wine,
but beer.
Caffeine
The caffeine in our morning kopi/teh/soft drink is a psychoactive
stimulant. In lab tests, it has made spiders lose their ability to
build webs.
The dirt: Caffeine stimulates the central nervous
system, warding off drowsiness by occupying the receptors for
adenosine (the body’s sleep promoter). Tolerance can be built up,
and long-term use can result in caffeinism, a caffeine
dependency.
Fatal OD: A fatal overdose of caffeine is
possible, but only if you drink 80-100 cups of coffee within a
short time. Another thing worth noting, caffeine relaxes the
sphincter muscles; so if you’ve begun to “hang loose” lately, go
for decaf.
Fun fact: Caffeine was discovered in 1819—the same
year Singapore was founded.
Nicotine
Millions of people puff away daily to get their nicotine fix.
Nicotine is a stimulant, and like caffeine, it occurs naturally as
a pesticide.
The dirt: Each cigarette contains about 1mg of
nicotine. Nicotine’s addictive characteristics are akin to that of
cocaine or heroin, which explains why smoking can be a difficult
habit to kick. It works by raising the levels of certain
neurotransmitters and hormones in your system. This produces the
feelings of relaxation, euphoria, calmness and alertness associated
with smoking.
Fatal OD: Your mouth is only so big, so there’s a
limit to how many cigarettes you can smoke in one go. But even if
you chain-smoke continuously for days, you won’t die. However,
cancer and heart disease will creep on to you after a while—just
you wait.
Fun fact: Minister Mentor Lee
Kuan Yew was once a heavy smoker. He said in a dialogue at the
Silver Industry Conference and Exhibition in 2008 that he would
puff 10 cigarettes offstage before making campaign speeches during
the election trail in the 1950s. He kicked the habit soon
after.
Betel Nut
This traditional chewable is made from the seed of the areca palm,
wrapped in a betel leaf with various flavorings.
The dirt: It tastes mildly spicy, warms up the
body, and the alkaloid arecoline stimulates the central nervous
system, giving higher levels of alertness. Its effect is comparable
to caffeine or nicotine. Although not really addictive on its own,
tobacco leaves are sometimes added to the mix, heightening
dependency.
Fatal OD: Betel nut is known to have carcinogenic
properties, and regular consumption raises the risk of developing
oral cancers. Most people prefer to leave this one to the older
generations, as the thought of walking around spitting everywhere
isn’t very attractive.
Fun fact: Great for fighting bad breath. You might
have a red mouth, but hey you’ll still get to kiss the girl!
Nitrous Oxide
Better known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a common anesthetic
used in many dental and surgical procedures.
The dirt: Its recreational use predates its
medical value, and today it is still used for the euphoria and mild
hallucination it causes. While only certified people have access to
pure nitrous oxide, recreational users can obtain a form of it from
whipped cream canisters, where it is used as a propellant.
Fatal OD: You can die of asphyxiation if exposed
to large quantities.
Fun fact: Discovered at the end of the 18th
century, the British upper crust used to gather for laughing gas
parties where people would inhale the gas and amuse one another
with their intoxicated antics.
The Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) was founded in
1972. It was established to assist in the rehabilitation of drug
addicts. SANA counselors Valerie Wong and Cynthia Chng respond to
our questions.
What are some issues that lead people to resort to drug
use?
Valerie Wong: There is no single reason why offenders
abuse drugs. For some, drugs give them a false sense of security;
often addicts also turn to them when they feel stressed or lonely.
There are also others who are drawn to drugs out of peer
pressure—to appear cool.
They are absolutely unaware of the psychological affects of these
drugs. They think it is only self harm, and not harming others. But
very soon, they’ll be chasing after this very same first high, only
to realize they’ll never feel the same way, so the doses get larger
and they turn to stronger narcotics.
Singaporeans have an above average quality of life, and
there are harsh penalties against drug use. Is Singapore a unique
case?
Cynthia Chng: SANA will not be able to comment on
the differences between countries, however, it has been observed in
our work that there is a difference in the choice of drugs and
substances used by the younger and older drug users. A young(er)
person would tend to use cheaper products like glue to get a high
but an old(er) person may choose drugs of different types (e.g.
heroin, ketamine, etc).
How do people generally view “legal drugs” (including
alcohol, nicotine and uncontrolled intoxicants)?
CC: In our contact with young and old persons who
have touched illegal substances (including uncontrolled
intoxicants), they generally view legal substances as permissible
because the usage of such do not carry with it a penalty.