Tik” (crystal meth)

[Yolanda]

Street Names: TIK, LOLLY, Choef, Speed, ICE, Crystals, tuk-tuk, globes, Hitler’s drug, popeyes or a straw.

Why Hitler’s drug?

Because it was allegedly used by the Nazis as a “combat drug” to fuel aggression and to help soldiers stay awake and remain focused for long periods.

Increase.
This is a drug that is becoming increasingly popular among school children. It is also the drug that is the most popular in Cape Town. Out of the whole of South Africa the abuse of this drug is the highest right here in Cape Town.

Many people are curious to know what is it that attracts our young youths to do such a crazy thing.

Peer pressure certainly plays a major role in starting many on drugs.
There are a lot of other factors that can contribute to the increasing in youngsters abusing drugs abuse. Among these are disillusionment, depression, and a lack of purpose in life. Additional reasons are economic problems, unemployment, and poor parental examples or weight loss. Some people have difficulty coping with human relationships they use drugs/Tik to help them cope at social events/situations. Tik is known to boost confidence, making the user feel likable because it alters you moods and mind set. Others simply find it easier to use Tik than to accept responsibility for taking control of their lives

Boredom is another reason youths turn to drugs. Lack of parental supervision or knowledge is also a big concern teenagers are able to do drugs because their parents are never around or don’t know enough about drugs to see a difference or the warning signs, basically in many cases it comes down to a lack of discipline.

BUT WHY TIK?

Tik is a cheaper drug to get on the market and its easy available the drug can last from about 12 to 24 hours if it is taken. Crystal meth has also been marketed as a way of losing weight, making it popular among many women who would not normally have taken drugs.

It is attracting very young first-time users. The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SENDU), which monitors drug use countrywide, found the greatest increase in users to be under the age of 20 years. In 1996, 5% of people seeking treatment were under 20 years. This shot up to 20-25% in 2003. Treatment centers such as the Crescent Clinic’s Chemical Dependency Unit are treating children as young as 13 years for crystal meth addiction.

Overheads are low, making the manufacture of crystal meth a lucrative business. It is not uncommon for producers to make a profit of R4 000 a day. “Because crystal meth can be manufactured at home, the problem is not only availability but that many people don’t see it as illegal and don’t regard it as a drug,” says Prof Parry.


How it is sold and used?

Crystal meth is typically sold in straws, one of which could cost you between R40 and R60. The drug can be found in many forms, from a fine powder to larger crystals. It can be snorted, orally ingested, injected or smoked – smoking being the most common method in South Africa. It is smoked through either a light bulb that has been scrapped clean with a straw, or through a glass rod with a bulb on the end known commonly as a lolly. A lighter is used to heat the bulb and the user smokes the fumes, in some cases it has also been reported that it has been snorted and even dissolved in water and drunken by the user.

What does it do?

According to users, the drug gives an immediate, extremely pleasurable rush or “flush”. The rush only lasts a few seconds, but is followed by euphoria (a high) which lasts for several hours. Users stay awake for hours, even days, during which they feel extremely active and energetic. They seldom get hungry and go for long periods without food. Both the rush and the high are believed to result from the release of very high levels of the brain chemical dopamine into areas of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure.
Although the effects of the drug typically last only a few hours (depending on the quantity and quality), it may take days for the body to fully recover. Once the effects have worn off, users hit a low - a feeling of exhaustion and depression. Many people use the “white pipe” combination of dagga and mandrax to come down from the high.

Long Term Affects

Tolerance develops quickly, which means that higher doses of the drug need to be used to get the same effect, and/or that the drug needs to be taken more frequently or in different ways.

Chronic abuse can lead to out-of-control rages, violence, anxiety, confusion, mood disturbances and insomnia. Users can become psychotic, experiencing symptoms such as paranoia, hallucinations and flight of ideas (jumping from one topic to the next). The paranoia can result in homicide or suicide.
The drug causes increased heart rate and blood pressure, and can result in irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, producing strokes. Other effects include respiratory problems and irregular heartbeat.
Crystal meth affects many parts of the central nervous system. According to the treatment guidelines issued by the US Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, “some of the most frightening findings about meth suggest that its prolonged use not only modifies behaviours, but literally changes the brain in fundamental and longlasting ways”.

There is also an increased risk of being infected with HIV or other sexually transmitted infections, because many users become more sexually active when on a high, often describing hours of wild sex with little concern for practising safer sex.

Look out for these warning signs.

• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Aggression
• Dilated pupils
• Rapid speech
• Anxiety
• Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and delusions)
• Headaches
• Over-confidence
• Insomnia
• Changes in dress, friends and slang
• Drug paraphernalia: light bulbs, glass straws (so-called 'lollies' or 'popeyes')


Heartbreaking! ..... "I AM CRYSTAL METH"

This was written by a young girl who was in jail for drug charges, and was addicted to crystal meth . She wrote this while in jail. As you will soon read, she fully grasped the horrors of the drug, as she tells in this simple, yet profound poem. She was released from jail, but true to her story, the drug owned her.
Please keep praying for our Children, Teens, and Young adults. Understand, this thing is worse than any of us realize.



My Name: "Is TIK "

I destroy homes, I tear families apart,
Take your children, and that's just the start.
I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold,
The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

If you need me, remember! I'm easily found,
I live all around you - in schools and in town.
I live with the rich; I live with the poor,
I live down the street, and maybe next door.

I'm made in a lab, but not like you think,
I can be made under the kitchen sink.
In your child's closet, and even in the woods,
If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.

I have many names, but there's one you know best,
I'm sure you've heard of me, my name is crystal meth.
My power is awesome; try me you'll see,
But if you do, you may never break free.

Just try me once and I might let you go,
But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.
When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie,
You do what you have to -- just to get high.

The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms
Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms, (your lungs, and your nose).
You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad,
When you see their tears, you should feel sad.

But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised,
I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents, and parents from kids,
I turn people from God, and separate friends.

I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride,
I'll be with you always -- right by your side.
You'll give up everything - your family, your home,
Your friends, your money, and then you'll be alone.

I'll take and take, till you have nothing more to give,
When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.
If you try me be warned - this is no game,
If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.

I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind,
I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed,
The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.

The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see,
I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart,
That you are mine, and we shall not part.

You'll regret that you tried me, they always do,
But you came to me, not I to you.
You knew this would happen, many times you were told,
But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.

You could have said no, and just walked away,
If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
I'll be your master, you will be my slave,
I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.

Now that you have met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.
I can bring you more misery than words can tell,
Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell.

A picture of what she looked like before and after.

for more info see www.dea.org.za

Drug abuse is a MAJOR problem and is affecting families, communities and the economy in a dramatic and very destructive way. Idealife4U offers effective affordable outpatient programs for addicts and people who are 'stuck' with no direction or goal for their lives. See www.idealife4u.co.za for more info or phone (021) 461-5177.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

for more info see www.dea.org.za

Ek is Riana Vosloo en het by my dogter,Mariette, van jul organisasie gehoor. Ek wil graag kontak maak ivm moontlike besoek en optrede by ons Vrouediens
vergadering 18 Augustus. Ek soek 'n kontaknommer en sal dan bel. My landlyn
027-2161028. Dankie, Riana

Come young beautiful South Africans - stay away from drugs - a cliche but i can't warn you enough!!!!!!!!! stay true to you - peace love - harmony!!! TIK makes you murder, rape 6-month old babies , etc. can't you se the evil?