Drugs: Can you say you ‘know’ drugs?

Drugs are often one of the first things we’re warned about by our parents and educators, but substance abuse can be a difficult topic for South African households to approach.

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The South African Police Service (SAPS) points out that drug awareness is very important, and that knowing what a drug looks like from a distance could be what saves you or someone else’s life.

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Substances like methamphetamine (‘tik’) and cocaine (‘rocks’) are sometimes too easy to access, but would you or your family be able to identify them?

Here’s more about why it’s important to know substances.

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DRUGS: CAN YOU SAY YOU ‘KNOW’ DRUGS?

Drugs are a blanket term that’s used for several substances, which are considered controlled or completely illegal under South African laws.

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Some of the substances that can be abused includes cocaine, methamphetamines, or cathinone-based chemicals – also known as ‘cat’ or ‘kitty’ by takers and street dealers. Other substances like heroin are also frequently abused.

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Knowing about these substances is important: if you see them, you should know what they are – and know that they should be reported to the authorities.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE (SAPS) AND AWARENESS

The South African Police Service (SAPS) outlines the importance of substance awareness on their website.

Substances aren’t always taken on purpose, but might be used to ‘spike’ someone; a person could also force a victim to take something, or simply lie about what they are giving them – and if you can’t tell the difference between one substance and the next, you could be in more danger.

Awareness is just as important as saying no, and staying away from drug abuse means knowing about it.

MORE ABOUT DIFFERENT SUBSTANCES

Drugs exist in various forms, including powders (like cocaine or cathinone), pills (heroin or opiates), or rock-form such as ‘tik’ or crack cocaine.

Each substance has a different effect, a different dosage, and a different taste or smell – and this is part of why drugs are dangerous, even just to experiment with.

Report substance use or abuse to Crime Stop (+27 86 001 0111), and seek help for addictions through the SANCA National’s website.