Beware of drugs disguised as 'fun drinks' at bars

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

Synthetic drugs disguised as "happy water" with fake labels of powerful 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 broken up a ring trafficking synthetic drugs from abroad into Vietnam.The suspect said this type of drink, called "happy water", originated from China, was bought to serve customers at nightclubs and bars for 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 methamphetamine are two substances in the group of illegally produced synthetic drugs.. They are processed very roughly in the form of ivory white or yellow-brown powder, pills, crystals or red liquid. 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 effects of pain relief, 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 easily interacting 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 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, convulsions, dystonia.

Victims of amphetamine-induced psychosis andMethamphetamine is commonly characterized byMany vivid, polychromatic visual and auditory hallucinations. Common delusions in this context are delusions of reference, persecution, control, implantation of thought, 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, nPeople addicted to synthetic drugs 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 in 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 painkillers 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 drug threat, doctors advise parents and teachers to proactively educate the younger generation to identify and prevent it. When being enticed by friends to use drugs, children should not have the mentality of "trying it for the experience" and then fall into addiction, destroying themselves, causing sadness for their families and becoming a burden to society. In all cases, 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