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Synthetic drugs: the abuse of Ice

3 juillet 2015, 11:05

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Ice, sometimes known as Black Death, is the name of the newly invented drug whose effects are rampant in Australia, particular in the eastern part of the country. I have not seen Ice being frequently enough mentioned in the newspapers in Mauritius. I will here briefly dwell on its frightful consequences of Ice abuse in society.

 

The number of synthetic drugs that are currently brought, manufactured and made available on the market is increasing by leaps and bounds. We can guess the indifference of those who produce those drugs as to the effects on the consumers, but it is high time to pause and reflect on the disastrous consequences that that could entail in the coming future. One is not so much concerned about the assumed indifference of the manufacturers as to the disastrous effects of the products on those consuming the drugs as well as family members who have to put up with the addicts. We should indeed be most concerned about the danger of drug addiction on society at large.    

 

Authorities ignore its content

 

Ice, sometimes known as Black Death, is the name of the newly invented drug whose effects are rampant in Australia, particular in the eastern part of the country. I have not seen Ice being frequently enough mentioned in the newspapers in Mauritius, in addition to other drugs that have been made references to. I will here briefly dwell on the frightful consequences of Ice abuse in these parts of Australia.

 

In Victoria, Australia, authorities are deeply concerned about Ice, especially on the effects on parents and siblings who are sucked into its spiral. No one knows for certain what ingredients most synthetic drugs are made of; so much more are we ignorant of the contents of Ice. But what we know is that Ice at the moment is increasing the drugs of choice in cases involving substance abuse in parts of Australia. Together with methylamphetamine, Ice is today consumed by most drug addicts, especially the young. 

 

Impact on society

 

The horror of it is that the widespread availability of methylamphetamine or Ice, is causing chaos among individuals and families. The impacts on families are extreme violence, breakdown of relationships, complete neglect of children, homelessness, theft and criminal activities, among others. Those under the influence of Ice are known to be inexplicably aggressive to the extent of causing considerable harm to others and committing murder. The excessive violence in Ice consumers is near proverbial. They appear to lose all control, and members of society feel helpless, frightened by the uncontrollable and destructive behaviour of the ones under its influence. 

 

The problem of methylamphetamine and Ice reaching Mauritius is only a question of time, that is “when” rather than “if”. The purity of available Ice that was deemed to be 25 per cent, has today reached 80 per cent. The purer the content of the drug, the more disastrous are believed to be the consequences. Hence, the authorities and all those concerned should be alerted. 

 

Most important of all, there should be substantial input of qualified and devoted organisational structure in the struggle against methylamphetamine and Ice. Paying lip service will only mean that not much, if not nothing, can really be achieved. To protect families, the society, and drug addicts themselves, urgent and drastic steps should be initiated. 

 

The voluntary organisations are doing a great job in Mauritius, but without the aggressive involvement of the government (through legitimate financing, among others), and without the sustained expert services, no progress can be achieved. Let us not take it lightly, and convince all concerned to come to the rescue, sooner rather than later.