Beware of drugs disguised as 'fun drinks' at bars

The new drug, colloquially known as "happy water", contains amphetamine and metamphetamine, which inhibit the central nervous system, cause motor and respiratory disorders, confusion, convulsions, and coma.

Synthetic drugs disguised under the name "happy water", printed with fake labels of strong brands. Photo: CAND.

PoliceQuang Ninh province's drug crime investigation team busted a ring trafficking synthetic drugs from abroad into Vietnam. The results of the examination of the bottles contained a creamy brown liquid whose main ingredients were amphetamine and methamphetamine. The group said they had found evidence of a drug trafficking ring trafficking synthetic drugs from abroad into Vietnam.The suspect said this type of drink is called "happy water" originating from China, bought to serve customers at dance clubs and bars at a price of 1.2 to 1.5 million VND per bottle. When used, just mix one bottle with about 2 liters of carbonated water to create a new drink that brings a feeling of excitement and lasting happiness.

According to the book Pharmacodynamics published by Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy,amphetamine and metamphetamine are two substances in the group of illegally produced synthetic drugs.. They are processed very crudely in the form of ivory white or yellow-brown powder, pills, crystals or red liquids. When sold on the market, these two substances are often mixed with many other substances and disguised in many forms to deceive the authorities.

Experts say, Amphetamine and metamphetamine belong to the group of substancesaffects the central nervous system with the main effect of pain relief, causing excitement, comfort, and refreshment. Users are susceptible torespiratory stimulation, increased heart rate, restlessness, insomnia, irritability, panic, hostility, anxiety disorder, paranoia, hallucinations.

Some short-term symptoms include rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, tremors, paresthesia (loss of sensation), muscle spasms, sweating, fatigue, insomnia, and dizziness. Patients also experience visual hallucinations, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, palpitations, sensitivity to cold, seeing shiny objects, feeling friendly and close, and easy to have sex with others. Long-term symptoms include drowsiness, lethargy, muscle pain, fatigue, depression, jaw muscle tension, headache, dry mouth, anxiety, sadness, fear, irritability, difficulty concentrating, increased sexual desire, and easy to have group sex.

People who use synthetic drugs regularly are prone to psychological and behavioral changes such as increased euphoria, insomnia, anxiety, anger, decreased judgment and work ability. Patients may experience dilated pupils, increased or decreased heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, chills, nausea or vomiting, excitement, inhibition of motor centers, weight loss, chest pain, respiratory depression, confusion, coma, fatigue, seizures, dystonia.

Victims of amphetamine-induced psychosis andMetamphetamine is commonly characterized byMany vivid, polychromatic visual and auditory hallucinations. Common delusions in this setting are delusions of reference, persecution, control, possession, exposure, hyperactivity or hallucination-driven behavioral disorders. Patients tend to have increased sexual pleasure, confusion, disorientation, and sometimes disjointed thinking unrelated to reality.

As recommended, nSynthetic drug addicts need to be treated for addiction, severe cases require a long course of treatment. Withdrawal syndrome will appear from a few hours to a few days after stopping use, making the patient feelfatigue, nightmares, insomnia, motor neuron inhibition....

The most severe symptoms are depression and suicidal thoughts. Withdrawal symptoms peak within 2 to 4 days and will gradually decrease and end completely after a week. During the withdrawal process, patients may be given some supportive drugs such as pain relievers and sedatives to help them overcome the discomfort. After a week, the body will return to a state of balance and the addiction will be gone if well controlled.

Doctors working in the field of drug addiction treatment in Ho Chi Minh City warn that the most dangerous thing today is that synthetic drugs are disguised under a very "gentle" cover, so young people use them without knowing that they are dangerous.500 times more toxic than opium, used a few times alreadyaddictive. CCurrent rapid test kits cannot detect new drugs, which is a challenge for drug prevention work.

People who use addictive substances can lead to many consequences such as physical decline, poor academic performance, reduced ability to work and think, and promiscuous sex leading to HIV infection, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts... These are very common sexually transmitted diseases in the community today.Long-term use of high doses can easily cause withdrawal syndrome, depression, and strange fantasies leading to illegal behavior, murder, and even suicide.

Faced with the new dangers of drugs, doctors advise parents and teachers to proactively educate the younger generation to identify and prevent them. When being enticed by friends to use drugs, children should not have the mentality of "trying it out for the experience" and then fall into addiction, destroying themselves, causing sadness for their families and becoming a burden to society. In any case, after using any food or drink that brings a strange feeling of excitement, you need to be vigilant and inform your teachers and parents immediately because it is very possible that it is a new type of disguised drug./.

According to VNE