By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
The high success rate of recent police raids on the illegal drug ‘ice’ or in formal terms crystal methamphetamine grabs the attention easily.
Those unfamiliar with the drug and its effects will be very curious however to know what all the drama and trauma is about.
Not everyday when cash notes of $10, $20, $50, $100, are neatly spread out in rows on the table from a raid.
So too is seeing all those expensive computer laptops, cellphones and ‘ice’ in small plastic bags ready for the streets.
When the heartbeat of seeing all that returns to normal, curiousity starts to nag at the whats and whys of this ‘ice’ drug that has become the talk of the town.
‘What is ice’? Here is what Google has to say :
‘Crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’, ice drug) is a stimulant drug, stronger, more addictive with more harmful side effects than in powder form known as speed.’
‘Ice usually comes as small chunky clear crystals that look like ice. It can also come as white or brownish crystal-like powder with a strong smell and bitter taste.’
‘Ice is generally smoked (feel the effect almost immediately) or injected (15 to 30 seconds to feel the effects). It is sometimes swallowed (15 to 20 minutes to feel the effects) or snorted (3 to 5 minutes to feel the effects).’
‘The effects of ice can last for up to 12 hours but it might be hard to sleep for a few days after using the drug.
Ice affects everyone differently, but effects may include:
-feelings of pleasure and confidence
-increased alertness and energy
-repeating simple things like itching and scratching
-enlarged pupils and dry mouth
-teeth grinding and excessive sweating
-fast heart rate and breathing
-reduced appetite
-increased sex drive
‘It can take several days to come down from using ice. The following effects may be experienced during this time:
-difficulty sleeping and exhaustion
-headaches, dizziness and blurred vision
-paranoia, hallucinations and confusion
-irritability and feeling ‘down’.
‘Using a depressant drug such as alcohol, benzodiazepines or cannabis to help with the come-down effects may result in a cycle of dependence on both types of drugs.’
‘People who regularly use ice can quickly become dependent on the drug. They may feel they need ice to go about their normal activities like working, studying and socialising, or just to get through the day.’
Thank you Google.
Now we have some idea of what turns on users to ‘ice’. We have some insight as well to the addiction the dealers of the drug feed, for the kind of cash and other benefits we have been seeing from police raids.
A $100 tala for a small plastic bag ‘pop’ is quite telling indeed on the kind of people who are users.
People who can afford the costs of this drug habit are not only well off as the police suggested but most should perhaps have a bit more brains than the average.
What are the damages they are more likely to do to themselves and to others around them – some of whom can see what is going on but are helpless to stop or prevent it?
A public servant at the senior executive level was one caught in a police raid recently. His promising career is flushed down the drain with a conviction and possibly a long jail sentence.
The damage from his action is scandalous enough to ripple out to the innocent around him who will be made to bear part of the burden of shame for his illegal habit.
His loved ones who enjoyed the comforts of his above average salary are forced to adjust to the struggles of doing without his input.
Unfortunately this is the ugly realities of the unreal world of short-lived pleasure ‘ice’ have for all users in our more affluent urban community.
The emotional toll is traumatic, pitiful and long lasting on many personal fronts.
Everything added the deciding question for any user is whether it is worth keeping the ‘ice’ habit going.
Is the fall from grace and dragging your loved ones down with you at the same time, worth your little moments of drug induced enjoyment?
In the nature of this kind of individual challenge as a user, the truth in the saying ‘No Man Is An Island’ applies.
Family is always first in any cultural context whether Samoan or any other ethnic or racial background.
Keep that thought the next time you reach for your little white $100 plastic bag.