NOT FOR PROFIT | REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2009/004578/08 | SARS REFERENCE: 9208/576/17/4
MANDRAX (METHAQUALONE)
Mandrax is one of the most commonly used hard drugs in South Africa, particularly in the low-income section of South African society. It is a highly addictive synthetic drug that comes in the form of a tablet. The active ingredients in Mandrax are methaqualone (250 mgs) combined with diphenhydramine (5 mg). The original Mandrax tablet was a thin white tablet (±1mm) with the trademark "MX" on the front and "RL" on the reverse side. The drug was also available in capsule form, blue on one side and white on the other with the abovementioned trademarks thereon. The Mandrax that is currently confiscated varies drastically in appearance. Tablets are found in thickness of 1cm, which is known as "Double Barrels". The colours of these tablets range from beige, pink, blue, purple, black, brown and green. In South Africa, Mandrax is most often crushed, then mixed with dagga and smoked in a 'bottleneck' or 'white pipe'. The use of broken-off glass bottles to form a pipe causes a distinctive scar on the palms of frequent Mandrax users.
SIDE-EFFECTS
Mandrax has a range of side-effects, including strong physical dependency and bad withdrawal symptoms. Mandrax has more and stronger side effects than Dagga, such as:
Serious emotional problems. Depression. Drastic weight loss. Headaches. Stomach cramps. Insomnia. Epilepsy. Aggression. Toxic psychosis. The muscle control of the body is effected which causes the Mandrax user to fall often.
