Identifying Drug Users

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The information on this page was kindly provided by the South African Police Service.

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Identifying Drug Users

Cannabis (Dagga)

The drug has a strong odour that lingers in the hair and clothing.

Devoted users may display dagga leaf insignia on their clothing, jewellery , bumper stickers, or other items. Their clothing may also make more subtle reference to the drug, through slogans such as 'blunt' (a reference to a hollowed out cigar packed with dagga).

The Rastafarian religion views dagga as a sacrament, and its members are easy to identify due to their long dread locks and typical dress (including the large knit cap or 'tam' and use of the colours of Ethiopian flag: gold, green and red).

Recent users will often have bloodshot, watery eyes, drooping eyelids, slow reaction times, and possibly body tremors.

The user's pulse and blood pressure will be elevated while under the influence of dagga.

The inner edge of index finger and the tip of the thumb, as well as the lips, may show burns from smoking short 'stompies'.

Dagga users suffer 'non-convergence' of the eyes, or the inability to keep the eyes 'crossed' ('go squint').

This final indicator can be tested in the following manner:

A pen is held vertically at the user's eye-level, approximately 35cm from the face. The user should be told to hold his/her head straight, and follow the tip of the pen with their eyes only. The pen should be moved slowly from side to side along an arc of about 30cm. The pen should then stop at the centre of the person's face, in line with the nose, and should be moved towards the nose at eye level. If sober, the person's eyes should both track the pen smoothly to the tip of the nose - the eyes will cross. Dagga use will cause one eye to 'release' and track out, with only one eye remaining focussed on the tip of the nose.

Of course, people may display any of these indicators and NOT be users of dagga - none of these indicators can stand alone as a basis for reasonable suspicion of possession, but they can provide a basis cumulatively.

All sorts of people use dagga, and some use well known techniques to avoid detection:

Use of breath fresheners, body sprays, and incense to cover odour.

Use of eye drops or darks glasses to hide bloodshot eyes.

HINT: Always require the suspected user to remove dark eyeglasses. Not only are the eyes the most important feature to observe in order to detect drug use, but they are also helpful in determining whether the person is lying, intends to resist or flee, or is mentally ill.

Dagga generally produces a state of sedation, so intoxicated persons are usually compliant. Excessive consumption can produce paranoia and panic attacks, however. As is the case with all intoxicants, dagga users may behave in ways they would not when sober.

Dagga is fat soluble, and its metabolites are detectable in the urine for periods of a month or more after last use for heavy users.

Mandrax

All types of people use Mandrax, but it is especially associated with the coloured gang culture in South Africa, and is also common in some segments of the Indian community. Increasing use has also been found among black South Africans in parts of Gauteng. Gang members and non-members alike commonly consume it in prisons, so prison tattoos (which tend to be crude and limited to black and blue) are a good indicator. Facial tattoos and those employing gang symbolism (the numbers 26, 27 and 28; books; swords; modified dollar signs; etc) are especially good clues. Mandrax users may accumulate stains on the web of their hands from holding the bottleneck to their mouths. Mandrax also has a very distinctive smell, which all members should become familiar with.

Mandrax lowers inhibitions and may promote reckless conduct, much like alcohol. Immediately after smoking, the drug provides a 30-second 'rush' in which novice users lose control of their bodies and collapse. This is followed by two to six hours of a detached state. While under the influence, Mandrax users are likely to:

Appear uncoordinated, as though drunk;

Exhibit erratic and often aggressive behaviour;

Unlike most other depressant drugs, will have elevated pulse rates;

Have droopy eyelids, bloodshot eyes, and possibly dilated pupils;

Will exhibit 'non-convergence' of eyes (refer to Recognising the Dagga User);

Will experience 'horizontal gaze nystagmus'.

This last indicator which is also found with the use of other depressants (such as alcohol) as well as inhalants, can be tested in the following way:

A pen is held vertically at the person’s eye-level, approximately 35cm from the face. The person should be told to hold their heads straight, and follow the tip of the pen with their eyes only. The pen should be moved slowly from side to side along an arc of about 30cm. The pen should then stop at the extreme range of the person's vision, and he should be asked to hold his eyes in that position. If sober, the person's eyes should both track the pen smoothly to the extreme range of vision and hold there without twitching. Mandrax use will cause one eyes to 'bounce' or jerk instead of tracking smoothly.

Adulterants in Mandrax, such as talc, can cause lung damage, and long-term users may exhibit a chronic, chesty cough.

coccaine
Cocaine and Crack

Powder cocaine is quite expensive to use regularly, so most powder cocaine users are relatively well-off. While not a 'club drug' use of powder cocaine is not uncommon among those attending dance clubs and events, and other upscale nightclubs. Crack, while equally if not more expensive in the long run, produces powerful effects for a smaller initial investment. Crack users come from all classes in South Africa, but the drug is especially associated with troubled urban areas, and particularly with street prostitutes.

Cocaine use is most common in the white community, but crack has been marketed in the coloured townships by gang members and others for some time. Regardless of race, many urban sex workers consume the drug, but in some areas, use among white street prostitutes is upwards of 80%.

Prostitution and drug use are highly associated with certain residential hotels, where residents can pay a daily, weekly, or monthly rate without signing a lease. These buildings provide the anonymity and flexibility needed by the sex workers and their buildings could be subject to asset forfeiture or other forms of civil closure.

The effects of both powder cocaine and crack are short, meaning that addicts need to consume the drug quite frequently to remain high. Crack users tend to consume in binges, where the drug is consumed continually until all resources are exhausted or sleep-deprivation begins to generate great anxiety and paranoia. Periods of time may elapse between binges. Crack provides an initial rush for a few seconds, followed by ten minutes of intense stimulation, tailing off over time. Snorted cocaine provides stimulation for between half an hour and an hour and a half. The short-acting duration of this drug may be associated with crimes where cash is acquired immediately, such as robbery and prostitution.

Cocaine and crack are stimulants, raising the pulse rate and blood pressure to a very great degree, and causing the pupils to expand. The drug gives a surge of mental and physical energy, so users may appear talkative and fidgety. Coming down from the drug may result in severe depression, even suicidal depression. Long-term powder cocaine users cause chronic trauma to the nasal septum, and tend to sniff a lot, whereas crack users cough. Long-term cocaine users tend to lose weight, which can give them a gaunt, wiry look. Jaw-clenching is common, as with other stimulant-type drugs, such as ecstasy.

Heroin

Typical, heroin users are pale, thin and unhealthy looking, but different users react differently. Heroin is a depressant, and those under the influence of the drug experience the opposite symptoms of those under the influence of stimulants.

Heroin users show a slowed heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and reduction in pupil size. Unlike many other depressants (such as barbiturates, for example), heroin users are able to function fairly normally while under the influence of the drug, although they may appear sedated and detached. The head may bob and while the person appears to be failing asleep, he/she may remain mentally alert.

When not immediately under the influence, heroin users tend to itch and scratch a lot, and crave sweets. Chronic users withdrawing from the drug become extremely anxious, experiencing sweating, chills, convulsions, and diarrhoea. The stress it causes can trigger latent health problems, and those affected should receive medical attention.

An overdose victim will have erratic or scarcely detectable breathing and pulse, extremely small pupils, low body temperature, and may show blueing around the lips and nail beds. This condition is life-threatening, and requires urgent medical attention. If conscious, every effort should be made to keep the person awake, but cold showers should be avoided due to the risk of inhaling water. If unconscious, the airway should be cleared (but nothing left in the mouth) and the person placed in the recovery position (on one side so that vomit is not inhaled). If the respiration or heartbeat stops, CPR should be administered.

Urine testing for heroin use is often inaccurate, because many legally prescribed medication can produce positive results for opiates, and this means relying on self-reporting to confirm whether other medication has been taken.

Club Drugs

Since club drugs are associated with the rave culture, these drugs are consumed by young people associated with dance parties and clubs, although not exclusively at public events. As many clubbers grow older, they do not necessarily give up their lifestyles, and some hippie-era drug takers continue to experiment with mind-altering chemicals.

While there are exceptions, dance venues and events playing electronic music, particularly if they have a psychedelic theme (use of fluorescent colours, geometric patterns, black light, lasers, smoke machines, and other special effects), are consumption points for these drugs. The users' clothing tends to be tight-fitting and synthetic in the club setting, and more varied at outdoor events. Use of light sticks, laser pointers, and whistles is not uncommon.

While under the influence, club drugs users may be extremely disoriented and can suffer from panic attacks. As with other stimulants, ecstasy users can experience dilated pupils, jaw clenching, tremors, and an inability to sit still. LSD users experience very dilated pupils, and can appear detached from their environment and unresponsive, as though sleepwalking.

Methcathinone

Methcathinone, which is a synthetic form of the herbal drug consumed in East Africa ('Khat'), is the milder of the two, and has been described as a poor man's cocaine. It has become popular in the rave scene for its energising effects. It is mostly snorted.

Methcathinone is abused in binges lasting two to six days. During binges experienced users will administer methcathinone at doses ranging from one sixteenth to one fourth or a gram. The interval between dosing varies between approximately 20 minutes and two hours. With such a dosing regimen, during a binge methcathinone may be administered in daily amounts exceeding 1 or 2 grams. The principal determinant defining the length of the binge is the amount of drug available; that is, the binge ends only when the available supply of drug runs out.

The methcathinone binge resembles amphetamine binges in that the abuser does not sleep or eat, and takes in little in the way of liquids. The methcathinone binge is followed by a 'crash' characterized by long periods of sleep, excess eating and, in some cases, depression.

Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth or TIK)

Methamphetamine, which in its smoke-able form is internationally known as 'crystal meth' is probably the most potent stimulant consumed on the streets. Users describe an incredible sense of focus and confidence. This drug seems to have won some popularity in the coloured community, especially among gang members, who may be using it to increase aggression prior to violent confrontation. It has unfortunately become popular in parts of the Cape Flats, particularly coloured areas, but is expanding throughout the country. In the worst affected areas, use by school children is growing.

'Tik' is often packaged in drinking straws burnt closed at the ends, but other wraps may be used. The most common method is through a light globe from which the metal bits have been removed. The drug is place in the globe, heated, and the fumes inhaled through a straw. More experienced users may invest in specialty glass pipes.

The information on this page was kindly provided by the South Africa Police Service.

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