admin
Mthandazo Ndlovu
INQUIRIES that have been flowing indicate that the abuse of crystal meth has been going on for a while in our society and its either people have been ignorant about it or just turned a blind eye.
One reader contributed this way, “l have seen youths in groups within my community grouped and having some smoke through the energy saver barrel like spiralled bulbs, if you observe them for a while, you will find them all dazed and at times some failing to stand and dragging each other home, the groups then surface maybe after two days and disappear. Could it be that they are smoking crystal meth? When I asked one of the boys who’s a neighbour he said they would be taking some ‘ihaba’ but this ’ihaba’ has really gotten the better of him because he is a wreck.”
There are many street names for crystal meth like in South East Asia it is called “Yaba” in the streets, yes, the energy saver spiralled bulbs are broken and used as smoking utensils. The commonly abused here is the crystal one chunky like crystal stones looking like ice and heated then smoked.
One reader asked how long this drug has been in existence and what it is really made of and its effect, and why are police officers not arresting these people.
Crystal meth is not a new drug though it has become powerful in recent years as techniques for its manufacture have evolved. Methamphetamine was developed in Japan in 1919 it was used to keep troops awake. High doses were given to the Japanese Kamikaze pilots before their suicide missions and its abuse spilled into the general public and in 1970 its use was made illegal. In the 1990s Mexican drug traffickers began to set labs in California having these drugs done in kitchen earning it the street name “stove top” and since it has spread even to our own backyards and kitchens.
Crystal meth is a synthetic (man- made) chemical and is manufactured illegally in hidden laboratories, mixing various forms of amphetamines (stimulant drugs) or derivatives from other chemicals to boost its potency. Common pills for cold remedies are used as the basis of the drug. The crystal meth “cook” extracts ingredients from these pills and to increase its strength combines the substance with chemicals such as batter acid, drain cleaner, anti-freeze and rat poison among others.
Due to the nature in which it is made it makes it difficult at times for the law enforces to detect and worse more some would be also ignorant as not all of them are trained into the drug detection.
-Mthandazo Ndlovu an Accredited Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Specialist, Addictions Counsellor, Adolescent Counsellor, Professional Counsellor.
Know some abusing drugs, contact +263772399734 or email [email protected] for more information and help. A drug free life is a reality desire to be sober.
Online Reporter