Which Drugs are Popular Today?

Certain drugs are considered fashionable among the young and are passed around in parties, bars, even school. Radio program ‘’Gagaling Ka Rin’’ tells us what parents should look out for:

SHABU The poor man’s cocaine, shabu is an addictive stimulant. It’s a white, odorless crystalline powder that’s smoked. Some effects: change in behavior, need for isolation, erratic sleeping habits, irritability, always losing things, loss of weight, sunken cheeks, and whitening of tongue.

KETAMINE Known as the ‘’horse tranqulizer,’’ Ketamine is usually dissolved in beverages. Ketamine causes deep sleep, resulting in a mental blackout. As such, many incidences of rape have occurred, with the victim having little memory of it. Some effects: vomiting and nausea, paranoia, boredom, and muscles rigidity. There is also Ketabu, a mixture of Ketamine and shabu. Slang name: ‘’Kit Kat,’’ ‘’K,’’ ‘’Kat,’’ ‘’Green,’’ ‘’Super C.’’

ESTACY The love drug, ‘’E’’ comes in tablet or capsule form and makes the user malambing and carinoso. It is usually taken at bars and parties, so by the time the user gets home, the effects would have worm off.

MARIJUANA Derived from the cannabis plant, ‘’grass’’ or ‘’doobie’’ is either smoked in pipes or rolled in paper to make into cigarettes. Some effects: reddening of eyes, excessive eating without putting on weight, sluggishness, dryness in mouth, and traces of nicotine on fingertips.