|
"Pharmacy drugs" are very commonly abused all over the world by young and old (including senior citizens). Other names for this class of drugs are Over the counter drugs (OTC), Prescription drugs and or RX Medicine. Of the most commonly abused over the counter drugs in South Africa is Stopain and Myprodol.
Product name:
Valium, Ativan, Mogadon, Librium, Rohypnol, Normison, Temazepam and two dozen other brand names
Chemical name:
Diazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, chlordiazepoxide, flunitrazepam, temazepam
Slang:
Tranx, downers, bennies, sleepers, moggies, mazzies, jellies
Form:
Tablets, capsules, injections or suppositories
Effects:
They calm users and slow them down mentally relieving tension and anxiety. High doses can make users drowsy, drunk-like and forgetful.
Risks:
• Benzodiazepine tranquillisers are very addictive.
• Tranquillisers are/can be extremely dangerous if mixed with alcohol or other depressants such as heroin or GHB.
• Some tranquillisers cause a temporary loss of short-term memory and users trying to quit may suffer panic attacks.
• It is very dangerous to inject the contents of capsules or crushed tablets.
• Overdose can cause death.
Law:
As stipulated by government Drug Scheduling (See table below).
• Many senior citizens become dependent on it.
• Addicts who use street drugs like Cocaine use these drugs to come off a high.
Table of the South African Drug Classification System
(Section 22A of Medicines and Related Substance Act101 of 1965).
Schedule 0 = Sold in any shop
Schedule 1 = Sold by pharmacists
Schedule 2 = Sold by pharmacist and sale record
Schedule 3 = Prescription, repeated 6 months
Schedule 4 = Prescription, repeated 6 months
Schedule 5 = Prescription, repeats stipulated
Schedule 6 = Prescription, therapeutic narcotics
Schedule 7 = Controlled substances
Schedule 8 = Strictly controlled substances
Source: Department of Health, South African Association of Pharmacists in Industry (SAAPI).
|
Drug facts 
Subscribe to RSS Feed
