Drugs not just in Bollywood
CBO, THE NEW CRAZE
While the most common types of drugs include marijuana, heroin, cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and crystal meth, there is a growing interest in cannabidiol (CBD) oil, a product that’s derived from cannabis.
However, CBD oil does not contain the psychoactive component of cannabis — delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In fact, CBD oil, which is available over the counter, has several purported benefits, including the management of anxiety and pain, and is sold in various forms including gels, gummies, oils, supplements and extracts.
While stating that in some countries around the world, such as the US, doctors need to take special licenses to prescribe medical marijuana for treating pain and other symptoms such as nausea and seizures Dr Siva Harsha Yedlapati points out that sadly most people using drugs such as weed, heroin, marijuana, opium, cocaine and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) crystals do it more for enjoyment and less for medical reasons. “Even ephedrine, a prescription stimulant used in cough syrups, is often abused for its performance-enhancing effects and to make ecstasy pills,” adds the doctor.
CLUB DRUGS ELEVATES MOOD
Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) classify drugs under any one of the seven categories: central nervous system (CNS) depressants, CNS stimulants, hallucinogens, d i s s o c i a t i ve anaesthetics, narcotic analge s ic s , inhalants a n d cannabis. “People use club drug s such as MDMA , GHB, rohypnol, and ketamine at rave and dance parties to enhance their sensory experience,” explains Dr Yedlapati. “These drugs are also popular people because they are cheap and easily accessible. Hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD, which evaporate in sunlight, are
SADHUS SMOKE UP TOO!!
Cannabis is illegal in India. It is, nevertheless, remarkably prevalent across the social and spiritual landscapes of India. Shubira Prasad, author of The DemonsofJaitraya, says, “Sadhus denounce everything in life to become sadhus with the social norms normally applicable to the common man being inapplicable to them. And unless the sadhu gets involved in heinous activities, the law also looks the other way. In the case of sadhus of certain sects (who are a minority), the consumption of cannabis or other intoxicating herbs finds its justification in their being the followers of Lord Shiva, whom Hindu mythology portrays as a cannabis consumer. However, the herbs consumed by sadhus have very short-term effects and do not make them aggressive. In fact, these sadhus believe the cannabis they smoke up helps them in transcendental meditation. India, being a deeply religious country, ignores the practice of sadhus taking cannabis or other such herbs because they claim it helps them reach their higher entity and to achieve moksha.”
CATCH THE BIG GUNS
In many parts of India, local drugs such as marijuana and opium are widely consumed on the occasion of festivals and some family functions. Enforcement agencies should primarily focus their attention on big drug cartels widely used among the artists and other crew members in the film industry.”
The doctor also talks about how a drug called Adderall, prescribed for weight loss, to help stay awake during exams and for high performance can be abused especially in image-conscious societies. “Public figures looking for a quick and easy way to stay thin use Adderall in uncontrolled manners and thus are getting addicted to it,” elaborates the doctor, adding that the weight loss happens basically because the prescribed drug, which is used for treating ADHD and narcolepsy, kills the appetite. “Patients under supervision can be given these drugs for a certain period. But such intake is very unlike that of the addiction that forms in unsupervised cases.”