Types of Drugs

Cannabis Sativa plants grow wild throughout most of the tropical and temperate zones of the world. The biologically active agent in the cannabis plant Tetra-hydro-cannibol is highly concentrated in the flowering tops. Herbal cannabis (below left) is produced by drying the leaves for several days. Dried cannabis can maintain its potency for several years. The active ingredient can be concentrated by extracting a sticky resin from the flowering tops and once dried, the resin forms into hard black-brown lumps (Below centre). Finally, the most potent form of cannabis is oil (Below right) which is produced by further refining cannabis resin.

Cannabis oil is rarely available. Both herbal and resinous cannabis are usually trafficked in small portions either contained in small zip lock bags or wrapped in plastic cling film. The most common means of consuming herbal and resinous cannabis is to smoke roll-up cigarettes. The cigarettes are made from commercially available papers and can be rolled either by hand or by means of a rolling machine. Cannabis produces fairly immediate intoxication and the effects can last from 1 to 4 hours depending upon dose and strength.

Cathinone and its derivatives are usually used as recreational drugs for the stimulant effects. To conceal the real content, these drugs are usually sold as “research chemicals”, or packaged to contain innocuous compounds such as “plant food” or “bath salt”. The drugs are usually sniffed in, or taken orally or through other means. Mephedrone and other cathinone derivatives are controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance since 1 April 2011.

Cocaine is a white powdery drug extracted from the leaves of coca plant. It is the most powerful naturally derived stimulant, which has properties similar to that of amphetamine. Currently, illicit cocaine is distributed in two forms, namely cocaine powder and crack cocaine.

Cocaine powder and crack cocaine are stimulants of highly addictive nature.

Commercially produced cough medicines contain varying amounts of the powerful narcotic cough suppressant Codeine. Small doses of codeine effectively relieve cough symptoms by interfering with the signals from the brain which trigger reflex coughing. Large doses produce a euphoric high and youths abuse cough medicine for this purpose. Abuse of Codeine can lead to addiction.

Such cough medicines are controlled pursuant to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, Cap. 138.

Ecstasy is a synthetic psychoactive drug, which possesses stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Widespread illicit use began overseas in the 1980's as MDMA abuse became associated with all-night dance parties called Raves. At Rave parties or Dance parties, ecstasy is taken in tablet or capsule form. Tablets can be any colour and usually have a design imprinted in the surface.

Due to the close links between ecstasy abuse and dance music, tablets and capsules are trafficked at entertainment venues. A Rave party which last many hours can result in ecstasy users being over-active and thus suffering from extreme dehydration, heat exhaustion and in some cases heat stroke.

GHB is normally found as colorless liquid but sometime in powder form. It has a slightly salty taste and it is highly soluble. GHB is a central nervous system suppressant and can relieve anxiety at low dose. As the dosage increases, its sedative effect may result in sleepiness and even coma or death. There are reports from overseas of GHB being surreptitiously slipped into drinks to facilitate sexual assaults. GHB was classified as a dangerous drug under Schedule I of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134) in October 2001.

GBL is colourless liquid. It is commonly use as cleaning solvent or superglue remover but s sometimes also as a flavouring agent. When consumed in human, GBL is quickly converted to gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), which would produce effects similar alcohol. GBL was controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance since 14 July 2012.

Heroin is a highly addictive narcotic drug derived from morphine which in turn is derived from the latex of the opium poppy. Heroin consumed by Hong Kong addicts is manufactured from opium poppies grown in the Golden Triangle and the drug is produced in a high purity (up to 90%), consumption ready state.

In Hong Kong, heroin is normally consumed by injection or burning on tinfoil and inhaling the fumes. Heroin acts fast via either of these methods, taking 7 seconds to reach the brain after smoking or 15-30 seconds if injected.

Ketamine Hydrochloride is a commercially produced general anaesthetic used mainly for sedating large animals. It is produced as an injectable clear colourless liquid which through evaporation can be converted to a white crystalline powder similar to cocaine hydrochloride. Abusers may experience an "out of body" or "near death" feeling.

In Hong Kong, Ketamine mainly appears in powder form and the most common packaging method is by wrapping in a small piece of paper or a banknote.

Some medicinal tablets that are only available with a doctor's prescription are misused or obtained illegally. Often it is tablets used to treat anxiety and induce sleep and those for treating sexual dysfunction.

Methamphetamine is a synthetic amphetamine or stimulant, produced in pill, powder, liquid or crystal form. The crystal form resembles ice, hence the slang name for the drug (ice). Ice is almost pure and therefore produces an intense sensation for the user.

Ice is sold in small portions varying from a fraction of a gram to several grams and is often packaged in small ziplock bags.

Salvia divinorum (containing active psychoactive molecule salvinorin-A) is an herbal plant originating in Mexico. It is often consumed by inhaling fumes generated from burning the leaves in a tube, or chewing. Smoking for one minute can lead to hallucinations of about 15-20 minutes; and chewing 2-5 grams of its dried leaves or 10-30 grams of its fresh leaves would produce extended hallucination of low to medium potency. Salvia divinorum and salvinorin-A are controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance since 14 July 2012.

Synthetic cannabinoids are functionally similar to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - the active ingredients of cannabis. The harmful effects, propensity for misuse and addictive potency of synthetic cannabinoids are comparable with those of cannabis. The form of synthetic cannabinoids has been evolving around the world. Several types of generic definitions of synthetic cannabinoids and listed substances are controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) since 1 April 2011.

TFMPP is a piperazine-based drug, which is used as recreational drug for its stimulant effects. TFMPP and other piperazine derivatives are controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance since 1 April 2011.

Etomidate is a drug used for anesthesia and sedation. It is a class of intravenous anesthetics and is commonly used to induce and maintain anesthesia during surgery and other medical procedures requiring sedation. Etomidate produces a sedative, hypnotic and relaxing effect by acting on the central nervous system and may therefore be addictive. Etomidate is commonly mixed into e-cigarettes oils and sold illegally as e-cigarettes or disposable e-cigarettes.